ArtPrize is a sprawling event in three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids. For almost three weeks, the community of Grand Rapids joins together for an international art competition unlike anything seen before. The winner of the art competition is given a prize of $200,000, and is chosen by public vote. Anyone is welcome to attend the event as well as enter their work into the contest.

ArtPrize welcomes artists over the age of 18. Entry into the contest is not limited by professional or amateur status. Not only is there a public voting, but there is a jury that will award additional prizes based on certain categories like Time-Based or 3-D. The grand prize awarded by the jury is $100,000.

The event is organized by many vendors and artists in the community gathering together to sponsor a truly original event. The ArtPrize event as well as the competition itself is open to the public. Visitors can wander the three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids at no cost and enjoy the many exhibits.

ArtPrize 2013’s winner picked by the public was Ann Loveless and her landscape art quilt. The piece was sectioned into four panels that each represented a piece of the Lake Michigan shoreline during sunset. They are all standalone pieces that when combined created a beautifully stunning depiction of the landscape.

Second place went to Anni Crouter and her acrylic paintings of a polar bear. Each piece was 48 inches in height by 72 inches in length.

The jury awarded the grand prize of $100,000 to Carlos Bunga for his diorama called Ecosystem and is based on living organisms dealing directly with their environment.

The entire downtown community becomes a large exhibit for the artwork each year, and many local businesses get involved and can become a sponsor of the artwork. ArtPrize prides itself on its open design and accessibility to all artists no matter what their experience or level of talent.

Thousands of people visit the Grand Rapids community for this celebration of art. This event takes art out of the studio, out of the museums and art galleries and gives everyone access to the creative expression and surrounding environment of the artists.