It’s officially that time of year when Grand Rapids becomes adorned in all sorts of unique art pieces.

In order to kick off ArtPrize in style, the Grand Valley State University Marching Band and members of
the Dance Ensemble performed Sept. 18 in a parade from Rosa Parks Circle to the Pew Campus
courtyard.

This year, GVSU is hosting six exhibits on the downtown campus near Eberhard Center, coordinated
by the university’s art gallery.

Program Coordinator Stacey Tvedten and Secretary Colleen Bazuin have been working with GVSU
students and professors in preparation of the big event.

Alumni and students have participated in ArtPrize in the past, but this year GVSU has two interactive,
collaborative pieces involving students and professors.

“Poetry and Sculpture: A Meditative Space” was created as a partnership in sorts between art and
design professor Norwood Vivano, art student Sara Weimer, writing professor Patricia Clark and a
group of writing students.

“Many individuals, with different skills and ways of communicating ideas, came together to form one,
cohesive piece,” Weimer said. “I think our work stands out in how well all our ideas blend together in
the final product.”

Weimer said Clark approached her about a potential collaboration, which led to the construction of the
installation that now holds large canvases with different works by poetry students.

“I was interested in the multi-disciplinary approach to a piece of art and have never worked with
poetry before, so I willingly agreed to be a part of the project,” Weimer said.

The main goal of the exhibit is to make the audience feel invited into the space where they can spend
some time reading the poems.

“This moment of pause, especially in an environment as chaotic as ArtPrize, is something we think is
valuable and worth discussing,” Weimer said. “This piece aims to slow the viewer down, asking them
to reflect on the written and visual language being presented in front of them.”

A reading of the haiku poems will take place Sept. 20 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Eberhard Center
room 203.

Other GVSU exhibits include a multimedia series by GVSU’s College of Education, “Reframing
Disabilities,” and four works done by students at various GVSU charter schools—“Sound Print,” “Trial
by Tires,” “Whispering Poetry” and “Graphic Poetry.”

All six of the exhibits are located near the blue bridge.

“You could hop off the bus on Front St. over there and go see our exhibits and then go from there,”
Bazuin said. “It’s an easy access to all the other venues, so it’s very convenient.”

Many students, alumni and faculty are also involved in ArtPrize apart from the official GVSU exhibits.
The art is displayed in a variety of mediums, including music this year.

“I think the whole of ArtPrize is pretty exceptional, especially since it’s getting attention from all over,”
Bazuin said. “I think it’d be worth coming out to see it.”

ArtPrize will continue through Oct. 6, with round one voting taking place until Sept. 28 and round two
until Oct. 3. For more information, check out www.artprize.org.

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