Three Hillsdale College professors and a student have works in this year’s ArtPrize.
On Friday, students have the opportunity to see those pieces and more for $5 on a trip to the Grand Rapids, Michigan, art show sponsored by the art department. For a second year, the department is bussing students to the event that runs through Oct. 9 and stretches throughout the city’s downtown in hotels, coffee shops, churches, and more.
Professors of Art Samuel Knecht, Associate Professor of Art Anthony Frudakis, art department chairwoman Barbara Bushey, and senior Sara Pezzella have artwork in this year’s show.
Bushey is displaying a quilt, “Superior Dreams V,” at Cornerstone Church Heritage Hill Campus this year. According to the description on ArtPrize’s website, her piece “evokes the power and beauty of Lake Superior.”
Bushey said she likes ArtPrize for its inclusiveness and openness.
“Anybody can show anything as long as they can find someone who wants to show it,” Bushey said. “Usually, a show is at a particular venue or gallery, but this is all over downtown Grand Rapids.”
Once at ArtPrize, visitors can vote on their favorite works. The winner of the popular vote and the winner of the juried vote — which is determined by a set panel of “art experts,” according to ArtPrize’s website — each win $200,000. Winners in the popular and juried votes of various categories also receive money prizes.
This year, there are 1,453 works across 171 venues.
“It’s just really exciting to see this many people excited about the event,” Bushey said. “It’s a big deal. It’s a really big deal.”
Those interested in the trip should contact a member of the art department for details.