Thursday, September 23, 2010

New Road Trip

Now this has the makings of a great road trip this Saturday when the skys clear. The Chilhuly's are still at the Meijer Gardens and ArtPrize is all over Grand Rapids, Michigan

About ArtPrize®

Designed as a very different art competition, the goal is for the general public and artists to collide, exchange ideas and come away changed.

2010 in brief:
  • Grand Rapids, MI USA
  • September 22 - October 10
    $449,000 prize ($250,000 to 1st place)
  • Top 10 entries receive a prize
  • Artists can submit one entry
  • Property in downtown Grand Rapids can be a venue
  • Venues choose the artists they exhibit
  • Anyone attending the event can vote
  • Winner is determined by public vote


This is one of the works that is being shown and with prizes like this the sculptures are from all over the world. This work was created by Scott Gundersen, who is a Grand Rapid's native.

About the work
Title: Grace
Art form: 2-D
Medium: Recycled Wine Corks
Year created: 2010

Description of work: My work, a portrait, "Grace", measuring 66" by 96" is made from 9217 used wine corks.Grace Karekezi Mwemere, the subject of this piece is a friend from Rwanda. During the 1994 Rwandan genocide Grace was 16 years old. She was captured, separated from her family, tortured, beat and miraculously escaped death. Grace lost her smile and in the ensuing years she experienced anger, acceptance and ultimately forgiveness for her captors. Out of her horrific experience something beautiful happened as Grace came to fully embody her name, shared her story and regained her smile. Her story is a story of transformation. Out of chaos came order and then beauty. My work seeks to do the same. Transforming the ordinary into something more, uncovering the unexpected potential in unexpected things.

Learn more at:
See a time-lapse video of "Grace" being made at:

2 comments:

rosebud101 said...

This sounds great, Sharon! I hope you share all of your experiences with us regarding this road trip!

Right Turn ArtWerks said...

If I get the opportunity to attend I most certainly will! They are even organizing a bus trip from the art center so maybe I can score some tickets and just ride - wish you were here to go with me.