That great big carnival of art is well underway in Grand Rapids Michigan. The event started last Wednesday (September 24) and runs until October 12. This is my 5th year participating in this incredible experiment in art.
The crazy thing about ArtPrize is that one artist will be awarded a $200,000 prize determined by popular vote. (This year there is also a $200,000 prize awarded by a professional jury as well.) It's the popular vote aspect that brings out a lot of silly entries, but it is still an event not to be missed. There are over 1500 artists exhibiting at over 100 different locations throughout the city. Hundreds of thousands of people flock to Grand Rapids to see what us crazy artists have to offer. Artists get a lot of exposure at this event, but its not an art fair. It's not a place where you sell art to the throngs. Its just a place to show your best effort in hopes of getting some attention or winning a prize.
I created a 20-foot digital painting called "Outhouse Island" for ArtPrize this year. In keeping with the carnival atmosphere, I'm passing out sheets of toilet paper with my voting number on it. Get it? Toilet paper - Outhouses? So far I've gotten a lot of good vibes and a lot of smiles from the public. I'm having a good time at ArtPrize.
I'm exhibiting at a good location at 50 Monroe Street, in between the BOB and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. The wall my picture hangs from gets lots of natural light from huge windows and the traffic has been brisk. If you can make it to Grand Rapids, stop by and say hi. I guarantee you're gonna enjoy this crazy art exhibition.
Comments
The Top 20 winners have been announced. Interested to see what this ArtPrize is all about. Take a look at these photos: http://www.mlive.com/artprize/index.ssf/2014/10/artprize_2014s_fina...
It's Monday morning.... How's it going?
Crowds are big, and we've been getting a good reception. I'll be there again today handing out toilet paper. I'll find out tonight for the juried short list and tomorrow morning for the popular vote short list. If I'm not on either of those, I'm off to Louisville for the art fair. If I'm on one of those lists, I guess I'm in contention, so, I'll probably have to cancel Louisville and stay on at ArtPrize and continue to hand out toilet paper to the masses... HA!
and it makes your entry more memorable to the voters. Glad I was able to help you with your campaign. I'm looking forward to seeing your name on the leaderboards.
So sorry I can't make it this year, John. I've been there every year but personal matters keep me away this year. The weather, so far, great -- hope the crowds are too.
The toilet paper is a unique idea and is probably an encouragement to vote for you. Plus, it works so well on a roll.
Thanks, Evan, Geri, Jacki and Christina! Crowds are increasing and today, (Saturday) should be especially busy. As for the toilet paper printing... I found a company on the Internet to do the printing. It's not cheap, but thanks to the Kickstarter campaign, I was able to swing it. It brings a smile to just about everyone I hand toilet paper to...
Thanks, John...great painting! Love the t.p. idea too, how did you print the information on there?
Okay, good luck and thanks again for sharing these photos with us...
Love your art, John. How exciting. I hope you win.
What Evan said plus I love the idea of the toilet paper as a handout that people will remember and then vote for you. Love my T-shirt.
Good luck!!
Looks great John! I'm happy to have been a part of your kickstarter for this and hope you walk away with that 200k!