ArtPrize

By: Ellie Date: 09/24/2015

Only in Grand Rapids, Mich. can you stroll down sidewalks and wander through parks and feel like you’re at an art museum.

Since 2009, Grand Rapids has hosted ArtPrize—the world’s largest art competition. From mid-September to October, both international and local artists set up exhibits in venues all around the city—churches, hotels, museums, restaurants—and it is all free and open to the public.

You can also vote for your favorite art piece to help select the top two winners who receive $200,000. Some art pieces are funny and intended to bring a smile, while others are opportunities for artists to advocate and bring awareness for social issues, using art as to communicate.

Pamela Coven, an ArtPrize contestant, created a sculpture tilted “Whispers,” which displays the sensitive topic of postpartum depression. Coven hopes that in seeing her sculpture, you will understand more about this hidden issue. AWC also brings awareness to this issue through our Pregnancy Education Class. One of the classes focuses on postpartum depression and other perinatal mood disorders and is taught by an instructor from Pine Rest’s Mom and Baby Program. There are only two other programs like this in the country that provide classes, resources, and a community for women to receive treatment for perinatal mood disorders.

ArtPrize is also a community-focused event, and to celebrate this WOOD-TV 8 will be highlighting non-profits in the local community, including AWC. WOOD-TV 8 will be interviewing our Executive Director, Colleen Geisel, to share how we empower women through compassionate, holistic care.

Tune in to WOOD-TV 8 on Thursday, October 1 between 5:30-7:30am to hear about how, like ArtPrize, AWC is having a strong and positive influence in the Grand Rapids community.

For more information about ArtPrize, visit http://www.artprize.org/.