As if more than 1,000 pieces of art spread throughout Grand Rapids wasn’t enough, ArtPrize also offers all kinds of interactive community events.
This year’s ArtPrize calendar is packed with performances, workshops, artist talks, markets, family activities, food tours and plenty of opportunities to get a little more hands-on with the creative process. These are perfect opportunities to add a little structure to your ArtPrize meanderings.
You can see the full list here, but below is our preview of what’s coming up.
DoodleStreet
Sept. 26, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Grand Rapids Downtown Market
ArtPrize’s youngest visitors get their own creative playground during DoodleStreet, an interactive art experience designed for children and families. The event turns the Downtown Market into a place for hands-on artistic exploration, with creative activities, a Day of the Dead-themed community art project, performances from West Michigan Youth Ballet, LEGO fun and more.
ArtPrize HalfTime Party
Sept. 26, 5:30–8:30 p.m. | John Ball Zoo
ArtPrize heads to the zoo for its HalfTime Party, featuring live painting from 14 artists. Explore the animal exhibits, enjoy food and a cash bar, and cast your vote for your favorite live painting from 5:30–6:30 p.m. and other interactive programming. The event is also set to reveal the competition’s current frontrunners, making it a particularly timely stop for anyone following the public vote.
Brickworld
Sept. 26–27 | DeVos Place
Lego fans have another reason to make their way downtown during Brickworld, a family-friendly convention with 50,000 square feet of interactive experiences, impressive LEGO displays, vendors, and hands-on building activities.
Merchants and Makers Market
Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Rosa Parks Circle
For those who like to take a little art home with them, the Merchants and Makers Market brings vendors and makers together at Rosa Parks Circle. The market is scheduled for two Saturdays during the competition, making it an easy addition to a downtown ArtPrize stroll.
Art, Food and Coffee Tours
ArtPrize and Grand Rapids’ food scene come together through several guided experiences. Coffee & Art Walking Tours take place throughout the festival, while Local Food & Art Walking Tours combine downtown art exploration with food and hands-on experiences. Evening Food & Art Tours offer a more after-dark version of the experience, with tours running on multiple weekdays. Head to artprize.org for a full list.
Get Creative Yourself
There are plenty of opportunities to stop being an observer and make something yourself. Brush Studio hosts recurring Paint and Sip events and canvas art sales, while other venues offer workshops and live art demonstrations throughout the festival. On Sept. 23, for example, visitors can make a circus-cat collage ornament with ArtPrize artist Carrie Hawkins at Courage & Soar. On Sept. 24, The Endcap Studios hosts a watercolor-and-ink class at The NOW Gallery.
Dance, Music and Performance Art
ArtPrize’s programming extends well beyond static visual art. On Sept. 25, Threshold Dance Project presents Visible Frequencies, while Zeal Aerial Fitness hosts a series of performances throughout the weekend. Avant Theatre Ballet’s Primary/Secondary also appears Sept. 26–27 at The Elevated Market and The Glasshouse. Other performances throughout the festival incorporate live music, movement and theater into the ArtPrize experience.
Meet the Artists
If you want to know more about the people behind the work, keep an eye out for artist talks, Q&As and meet-and-greets. On Sept. 27, artists Seejon Czaplicki and Isabella Werschky will participate in a Q&A at Lyon Square, moderated by Hailey Johnson of Hammerspace Gallery. Other artist meet-and-greets throughout the festival include bottle-cap artist Jeffrey A. Meszaros and artists exhibiting at venues around the city.
ArtPrize Awards Celebration and Fashion Show
Oct. 3, 6:30–10 p.m. | Acrisure Amphitheater
The festival wraps up with an appropriately ambitious finale. The ArtPrize Awards Celebration and Fashion Show will combine the awards ceremony with fashion, live music and performances, bringing together multiple forms of art for the closing-night celebration. The event will also feature a drone show, with organizers attempting to set a Guinness World Record for the largest attendance at a fashion show.
