During ArtPrize 2011, I wanted to do a series of videos that would feature ArtPrize, but would also have some interest once ArtPrize was over. I wanted to avoid the whole issue of who might win, and focus instead on why people would participate beyond whether or not they were trying to win the grand prize, and learn what is was that made them want to be part of this experience. Here is the first video in a series I like to call, Observing ArtPrize.
There are some new kids on the block; particularly, at 1111 Godfrey in downtown Grand Rapids. ArtServe Michigan has described them as a "dynamic arts movement," and Con Artist Crew, a collective of recent Kendall grads turned local artists, agree with this description. They further explain themselves, "We are a multifaceted gallery that is creating an artistic community. Bringing to the forefront new emerging artists keeping in mind the artists that came before us." Though they've been on the radar since their tenure at Kendall, I'd like to point out that there is still an element of mystery behind Con Artist Crew. I say this because, despite being well-known within both the Kendall and local art communities, many have yet to discover the recent efforts and ideas co-founders Magdalene Law and Reuben Garcia have contributed to this recent collective. Just weeks ago, Con Artist Crew celebrated its Grand Opening. They celebrated with a show featuring works from several area artists, as well as a few from abroad.
I was not able to attend, but I can imagine the show was quite impressive. It would come as no surprise, as both co-founders have previous gallery experience; Law interned at a gallery, providing her with framing knowledge and hanging techniques; while Garcia has had a studio and showcase at 1111 Godfrey.
Galleries Galore
Con Artist Crew hopes to continue having shows and featuring artists from the area and abroad. They also have future plans and shows with the city of Detroit. Their aim is to host or curate shows and events at their space between 3 and 4 times a month. With that said, you should have plenty of chances to see their work, their style, their studio, and the many artists they're endorsing. They say of this, "We are open to all themes and styles of artwork, including high conceptual art to visual arts. We are looking for harder-edge work that relates to audiences on more than just one level."
They work both alone and in conjunction with many local groups, organizations, and causes alike. Their shows are examples of the character the Con Artist Crew is demonstrating. And they're curated down to the last detail. On the 19th of May, they contributed to a special show at the Winchester, along with Spectrum Health, titled Reprint - Causing Artistic Creation. It featured work by artists from a continuing care center. What's more, is that even the menu was tailor-made for the show.
The Crew's summer schedule reveals scores of shows, many of which are still being developed or finalized. All of them seem to carry a true sense of grass roots initiative. And, as a result, the community will play a large role in the outcome of these shows. Though, while maintaining this word-of-mouth mysteriousness, Con Artist Crew also hopes to expand its digital and online presence.
Con Artist Crew co-founders, Magdalene Law and Reuben Garcia
But the Crew promotes and supports more than just their shows; they also lease studio spaces, and have already leased five. The group is still finishing construction on the gallery and studio spaces. Once that's complete, they intend to concentrate on shows. Con Artist Crew is establishing a strong presence within the Grand Rapids art community. They've even mentioned taking shows "on the road" in the future. Sunday they completed a photo shoot, and will be featured in July's issue of Grand Rapids Magazine. Best of luck to Con Artist Crew.
Not long since her first appearance on the Observatory, which made note of her first solo show in early December, Rebecca Green has seen a sharp increase in attention.
You and Me Against the World - by Rebecca Green
Now a recognized name in Grand Rapids, Rebecca Green’s acclaim continues to rise in West Michigan and beyond. Recently joining the online artist network Dribbble, she has quickly gained 50 avid followers. Her current work, titled Old World, New World, will debut in Saugatuck tomorrow at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts from 6 to 8 p.m. It will remain on display until April 28th.
This trip down the lakeshore comes as a significant development for Rebecca. She says of the show, “So far I’ve worked primarily in Grand Rapids, and this is my first solo debut in a different city. I’m excited for the chance to share with a new community, and have already felt very welcomed by all the staff at the SCA.”
The event is also a first for another Kendall alum. The show was brought to fruition by Miranda Krajniak, who graduated from Kendall in 2006. Now an Education Manager, Miranda has made her curatorial debut with this show. She says of this, "We've never shown a young progressive artist from Grand Rapids in a solo format, and hope in doing so to bring a younger, more adventurous perspective to an area often regarded as older."
“I’m excited for the chance to share with a new community, and have already felt very welcomed by all the staff at the SCA.”
In The Trees - by Rebecca Green
Among Rebecca’s collection of paintings and drawings are some of her largest works, to date. She has taken elements and themes from past works and placed a stronger focus on pattern. Rebecca has also taken a different approach to size and layout; she says of this, “it intensifies the world that I’ve created.”
I urge anyone who can make it to the show to do so. Rebecca is a talented and productive artist - one whom I feel always seems to intrigue a crowd. The SCA seems to agree; they say of her, “We’ll be thrilled to say we had her here 10 years down the road.” I hope that statement rings true. Additionally tied to her styling and sensibilities, the opening includes a full vegan spread prepared on site and complimentary drinks will further enhance the cohesive effort.
What if I don’t see my venue on the itinerary? Send an email to hello@oliverhevans.com and let me know. You will be immediately added. My hope is that some artists will meet me at their work so we can talk about their work and about ArtPrize itself.
Follow my tour via Facebook or Twitter.
Wednesday
152 - The Lyon Den - 200 Ionia NW
50 - Fed Sq Bldg "The SPOT" - 29 Pearl NW
158 - Waters Bldg - 161 Ottawa NW Suite 104
51 - Fifth Third/ WN&J - 111 Lyon NW
105 - Mojo's - 180 Monroe NW
12 - Amway Grand Hotel - 187 Monroe NW
90 - JW Marriott - 235 Louis NW
164 - Z's Bar - 168 Louis Campau NW
98 - Louis Campau Promenade - 125 Monroe NW
3 - GRAM - 101 Monroe Center
112 - Open Concept Gallery - 50 Louis NW
102 - Mercantile Bank - 48 West Fulton
14 - Arts Council of GGR - 38 West Fulton
131 - San Chez - 38 West Fulton
43 - Dept of Corrections - 1 Division NW
72 - GR Police Dept - 1 Monroe Center NW
159 - West Coast Coffee - 55 Monroe Center NW
97 - Louis Benton Steak House - 77 Monroe Center NW
128 - Royal Securities - 89 Ionia NW
37 - Cornerstone Bldg - 89 Ionia NW
46 - Diversions Nightclub - 10 Fountain NW
56 - Fountain Street Church - 24 Fountain NE
65 - GRCC -Collins Art Gallery - 143 Bostwick NE
137 - Saint Mark's Episcopal Church - 134 North Division
Thursday Morning
67 - GR Children's Museum - 11 Sheldon NE
161 - WMCAT - 98 East Fulton
52 - First (Park) Congreg Church - 10 East Park Place NE
6 - St Cecilia Music Ctr - 24 Ransom NE
53 - First UM Church - 227 East Fulton
8 - Women's City Club - 254 East Fulton
75 - GreenLion Gallery - 150 East Fulton
160 - Westminster Pres - 47 Jefferson SE
1 - Diocese of GR - 360 South Division Ave
20 - Bethlehem Luth Church - 250 Commerce SW
27 - Calvin Coll Gallery - 106 South Division, Suite 1
34 - CODA - 44 South Division Ave
127 - Rockwell's Kitchen - 45 South Division Ave
123 - Pyramid Scheme - 68 Commerce SW
140 - Stella's Lounge - 53 Commerce SW
76 - Grid 70 - 70 Ionia SW
101 - McFadden's - 58 Ionia SW
9 - 25 Kitchen and Bar - 25 Ottawa SW
147 - The BOB - 20 Monroe NW
119 - Plaza Towers -- Eenhorn - 201 West Fulton
47 - Downtown Courtyard - 11 Monroe NW
84 - Huntington/ 50 Monroe - 50 Monroe NW
Thursday Afternoon
4 - GR Public Museum - 272 Pearl St NW
59 - Gerald Ford Museum - 303 Pearl NW
93 - Kent County Republicans - 725 Lake Michigan NW
110 - O'Toole's Public House - 448 Bridge NW
155 - Vander Hyde Mechanical - 1058 Scribner NW
29 - Carpe Diem Volleyball - 1010 Front NW
31 - City Art Gallery - 1168 Ionia NW
106 - Monroe Community Church - 800 Monroe NW
45 - DeVos Place - 303 Monroe NW
86 - Immanuel Lutheran Church - 2 Michigan NE
134 - Spectrum/Butterworth - 100 Michigan NE
135 - Spect./Lemmen Holton - 145 Michigan NE
Illustration - Greg Oberle
On Wednesday, September 28th, and Thursday, September 29th, I plan to visit each work in ArtPrize that has a Kendall connection, starting with the work by outside artists who are exhibiting at Kendall itself. Most of the time, however, will be spent observing work—and when possible, visiting with artists—who are associated with Kendall, either by being current students, staff, faculty, alumni, including artists associated with Kendall through the Continuing Studies Program.
I will be touring ArtPrize because, on the simplest level, I love the excitement and diversity of ArtPrize—so many people looking at so much creative work. And I want to recognize and celebrate the Kendall people who are participating in ArtPrize. There are too many of them to try to hold a reception or a similar event—and besides, such an event asks busy and committed artists to come to me, whereas I would rather go to them.
I will be publishing an itinerary of the tour early next week. I will also announce when I am heading to a given venue or to the work of a given artist on Twitter and Facebook.
What if I don’t see my venue on the itinerary?
Send an email to hello@oliverhevans.com and let me know. You will be immediately added.
My hope is that some artists will meet me at their work so we can talk about their work and about ArtPrize itself.
If I meet you, what are you likely to ask me?
In addition to celebrating the quality of your work and simply discussing it, I am interested in how an artist decides to participate in ArtPrize, how much advance planning went into that decision, what was the process that led you to submit the work you chose, what expectations/hopes do you have of the audience for your work? And we might talk a little about ArtPrize and the democratization of art. ArtPrize is absolutely right when it says that the important thing is the conversation about art. So what I really seek is a brief conversation—preferably videoed with you and probably lasting fifteen to twenty minutes.
Last Wednesday, for example, I had the chance to start this kind of conversation with Jonathan Brilliant, who is showing in the Kendall Gallery. Tuesday was his last night in Grand Rapids; and his answers to my questions, his perceptions of ArtPrize, and his interest in being part of ArtPrize were intriguing and illuminating. I look forward to sharing them next week when the tour itself will appear in video, images, and text here on my Blog.
I am intrigued by the questions I just outlined and by the kind of conversation those questions can trigger. So I look forward to Observing ArtPrize in a very special way the middle of next week.
Follow my tour via Facebook or Twitter.
- Oliver
