Posted by Nancy Tobin on Oct 4, 2009 in
Events & Happenings 
Some of the beautiful collages made during last Sunday's Demo Day — what fun!
It’s taken me a while to update. The week in Grand Rapids for ArtPrize was a blur of activity; splitting time between Peaches events, seeing art and seeing family. Lucky for me — the “seeing art” part went well with the “seeing family” part — many of my siblings were determined to view as much art as they could, during the first week of voting.
Peaches was great! The house itself is a grand old Georgian beauty, and was a fun change from the usual spare gallery style walls. Folks I shared the venue with were a delightful and talented bunch. And the owner of Peaches, Jane Lovett, worked tirelessly to promote her artists and make all the events wonderful.
We had good crowds. I was a little worried about being outside of the downtown loop, but every day, folks were waiting at the doors to get in the place before it opened. I saw old friends and met a lot of new.
The show is still up, so if you find yourself in Grand Rapids, Mich, stop by!
Peaches installation 1
Peaches installation 2
Peaches installation 3
Peaches installation 4
Tags: ArtPrize, Grand Rapids Michigan, Jane Lovett, Peaches Bed and Breakfast
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Sep 24, 2009 in
Events & Happenings,
Show Me How! 
Think & Of Me, two of the fifteen paintings I have at Peaches
No, it definitely isn’t Kansas! Last night — the opening night for ArtPrize — was great. Walking around Grand Rapids — a city that has already transformed so much since I’ve lived here — had a feeling more like New York last night. I saw many artists I recognized from the New York art scene, and many more who would fit in to that niche quite effortlessly.
My sister and I decided to do our voting last night, after we returned from the festivities. I must say, it worried me. I easily put in my vote for Yours Truly, having already set up my iPhone with the handy ArtPrize app. But Sue, who isn’t the type to sit in front of her computer screens for hours ( like some of us), found the whole thing kind of confusing. I’m not so sure she wouldn’t have just given up if I wasn’t there helping her.
So, a note to all who would like to vote:
1. Register in person at one of the registrations sites (you’ll find those here…), when you register, they will ask you for your email address, and then send you a password. You will need this password for step 3.
2. If you’re comfortable texting your vote, you can do that by sending your vote to 878787.
3. If you want on vote online; go and fetch your password that they sent to your email address & copy it.
4. Go to ArtPrize.com, and click on the left, where it says “vote online”
5. Then you’ll be taken here: where you will need to open an ArtPrize account (easy), and then you’ll fill in your email address and the password that they sent you.
6. Push the little “sign in” button, and you’ll be taken here: where you can type the artists name (I suggest; Nancy Tobin) and press the “search” button.
7. And here you are. Whew! Press the up or the down symbol (again, my suggestion is the “up”), and when it turns orange, you’ve made your vote!
You can vote for as many artists you’d like on the first week.
Good luck to all, and have fun.
I’ll see you at Peaches! Today I’ll be there from 3 to 7PM.
Tags: ArtPrize, artPrize Registration, Chelsea, iphone, Peaches, voting
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Sep 23, 2009 in
Events & Happenings 
Oz (detail)
Last week was a frantic blur. The finishing touches on scores of new paintings, the readying of printed materials and the tying down of schedules (mine in Grand Rapids — my children’s, while I’m away.)
Next came the twelve hour drive: Car packed with 21 paintings — some so new that they needed to be set carefully upon the backseat so that the surface could harden on the drive, me with a brand new audio book (Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides — halfway through, don’t give away the end!), and the long somewhat boring Interstate 80 in front of me.
This all was followed by the very frustrating, but ultimately successful hanging. Peaches gracious dining room is bedecked, bejeweled and bewitched by fifteen paintings. I was too exhausted by the time I left to have had even thought of taking a photo — but they will come.
Today will be the crescendo to all this preparation. The grand opening is tonight and the city of Grand Rapids is abuzz with excitement. I feel small among all this, but am happy to be here taking part in what I think is going to be grand!
I’ll see you at Peaches!
Oz; Delivered fresh, from New Jersey to Grand Rapids!
Tags: ArtPrize, Grand Rapids, Interstate 80, Jeffery Eugenides, Middlesex, oz, Peaches
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Sep 10, 2009 in
Check This Out,
Lists,
Show Me How! 
"Think" one of the fifteen pieces I'll be hanging for ArtPrize
This post is in the line of “passing on information.” (It’s really just cut and pasted from their web site.) Hope you find it helpful.
For more help, read my article: How the Heck Do I Vote?
Go to the ArtPrize web site to pre-register starting September 14th!
You must be 16 years or age or older and you must register at the event to vote. You can pre-register on artprize.org (coming Sept 14) and save time activating your voter status at the event.
Voter registration stations will be available throughout the city from September 23-October 7.
Note: All locations have agreed to be open the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 23–Opening Night.
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
187 Monroe Ave
M-Su: 9a-6p
ArtPrize Headquarters @ Old Federal
155 N. Division
M-Th: 5p-8p, F-Sa: noon-10p, Su: noon-6p
Frederik Meijer Garden & Sculpture Park
1000 East Beltline NE
M: 9a-5p, Tu: 9a-9p, W-Sa: 9a-5p, Su: noon-5p
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
111 Pearl NW
M-F: 8:30a-5p, Sa-Su: closed
Grand Rapids Art Museum
101 Monroe Center
M: closed, Tu-Th: 10a-5p, F: 10a-9p, Sa: 10a-5p, Su: noon-5p
Grand Rapids Ballet Co.
341 Ellsworth SW
M-Th: 9a-7p, F: 9a-5p, Sa: 9a-1p, Su: closed
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
11 Sheldon NE
M: closed, Tu-W: 9:30a-5p, Th: 9:30a-8p, F-Sa: 9:30a-5p, Su: noon-5p
Grand Rapids Community College
Student Community Center off Lyon St
M-F: 8a-5p, Sa-Su: closed
Grand Rapids Symphony
300 Ottawa NW, Suite 100
M-F: 9a-5p, Sa-Su: closed
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl NW
M: 9a-5p, Tu: 9a-9p, W-Sa: 9a-5p, Su: noon-5p
GVSU University Bookstore
401 W. Fulton
M-Th: 8a-6p, F: 8a-5p, Sa: 8a-2p, Su: closed
JW Marriott
235 Louis NW
M-Su: 9a-6p
Main Public Library
111 Library NE
M-Th: 9a-9p, F-Sa: 9a-6p, Su: 1p-5p
UICA
41 Sheldon SE
M: 9-8p, Tu-F: 9-10p, Sa: noon-10p, Su: noon-7p
Tags: Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, ArtPrize, ArtPrize Headquarters @ Old Federal, artPrize Registration, Frederik Meijer Garden & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Ballet Co., Grand Rapids Children's Museum, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids Symphony, GVSU University Bookstore, JW Marriott, Main Public Library, UICA
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Aug 31, 2009 in
Check This Out,
Interviews,
Profiles 
Constructed Drwaing 00401 © Heidi Van Weiren
One of the great pleasures of my gig at the New York Times Local, is having a chance to meet all sorts of interesting artists and art professionals. Heidi Van Weiren is no exception.
Heidi’s work has been on my radar for a while; I’ve been drawn to her dreamy landscapes since first seeing them at Margaret Thatcher Projects in Chelsea a few years back. I imediately felt a kinship with her use of glue as a medium (the very first paintings in my Nowhere Here -2006 series were composed using glue as the layering medium).
Heidi — a native to western Michigan as well — will be joining me and over 1200 other artists in Grand Rapids, Mich. later this month, as we all take part in this very interesting experiment that is ArtPrize. I thought it would be interesting to look at what it takes to break into the New York art market as an outsider.
Read what she has to say…
Badlands 00701 © Heidi Van Weiren
Tags: ArtPrize, Grand Rapids Michigan, Heidi Van Weiren, Margaret Thatcher Projects, New York Times, Nowhere Here, West of Chelsea
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Aug 17, 2009 in
Check This Out,
Interviews,
Profiles 
The man with the plan! Courtesy of Brian Kelly
I was delighted to interview Rick Devos this week, for my usual West of Chelsea feature on The New York Times Local. He’s the brainchild (and bucks) behind ArtPrize.
It’s not uncommon for big money to support art — but what he’s got going really does shake things up. You go Rick!
Check out the interview here!
Tags: ArtPrize, Grand Rapids Michigan, New York Times, Rick DeVos, West of Chelsea
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Aug 17, 2009 in
Check This Out,
Events & Happenings,
Show Me How! I’ve been asked the question regarding ArtPrize, so often; “How does this voting thing work?”
It’s all so new, and I didn’t quite understand it myself. But, I found these very helpful instructions on the ArtPrize web site, and thought I’d share them with you:
Anyone 16 years of age or older who registers in person at the ArtPrize event can vote. You cannot vote without registering at the event. There will be no charge for voter registration.
How to register
Attendees will be required to present a valid government issued ID in person at a registration station
ID can be drivers license, other state ID or passport
Pre-register on artprize.org (coming Sept 14) and save time activating your voter status at the event
There will be voter registration stations throughout the city September 23-October 7
Rules
Week 1 Voting – All Artists
Voting begins 6:00pm, September 23, 2009
You can vote on more than one work
You cannot vote more than once for the same work
Live results can be viewed online
Week 1 voting ends 11:59pm, September 30
Top 10 finalists will be announced evening, October 1
Week 2 Voting – Top 10, ONE vote
Voting begins after announcement of the Top 10, October 1
You have only ONE vote during Week 2
You may only vote among the Top 10
You may change your vote until voting ends
Results are concealed during Week 2
Week 2 voting ends 11:59pm, October 7
Winners will be announced at a gala event October 8
How to vote
Voting is entirely electronic (Instructions coming soon)
Vote online at artprize.org
Vote by text message (SMS) from your mobile phone
Vote by iPhone app
Note: Venues are allowed make Internet access and/or computers available for visitors to vote online
Vote by mobile browser
See you at the Gala!
Tags: ArtPrize, Grand Rapids Michigan, Peaches Bed and Breakfast, voting
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Aug 12, 2009 in
Check This Out,
Events & Happenings,
Profiles 
Watch Sarah Weber and Jane Lovett talk about ArtPrize
Sarah Weber is one of the artists I’ll be exhibiting with at Peaches, for the ArtPrize event. I was delighted when she sent me this clip from FOX News featuring her and the owner of Peaches, Jane Lovett! You go girls!
Jane Lovett and Peaches!
I planned to highlight a few of the artists who’ll be showing their work at some of the venues; and I thought this was the perfect time to start with one of my picks: Sarah Weber.
Sarah’s work “celebrate(s) femininity and style through abstract and representational characteristics.” I couldn’t find a web site for her, but here’s a great YouTube video, where she talks about her work.
I’m looking forward to meeting Sarah, and seeing her beautiful work in person!
Update: Sarah just sent these images over — of the paintings she’s working on for ArtPrize. Thanks for the peek into your studio, Sarah!
© Sarah Weber
Sarah Weber's work in progress!
Tags: ArtPrize, Fox News, Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Michigan, Jane Lovett, Peaches Bed and Breakfast, Sarah Weber
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Aug 6, 2009 in
Check This Out,
Events & Happenings,
Shows 
Going to Grand Rapids last week got me even more excited about ArtPrize.
I had a chance to visit with Jane Lovett the owner of Peaches Bed and Breakfast, where I’ll be showing “just as many paintings as I can tastefully fit” into her lovely dining room. It was good to see the space; take some measurements and shoot some photos of the room. Great to meet Jane, too. She’s very enthusiastic about the event and I feel confident she’ll do all she can to help make the event a success. I’ll be sharing “Peaches” with eight other artists (more on this in the next ArtPrize post).
It’s hard to be back in New Jersey — away from where it’s all happening. So I’ve been searching the internet to keep up to date on news and to find out if any events are planned yet. I really want to connect with many of the artists that will be there for the event and to reconnect with the city I use to call home. (Winning the prize would be swell, too.)
I found this little clip on YouTube. I thought it was a great explanation of ArtPrize and it also introduced me to Carol Coletta — she rocks! She’s the president and CEO of CEOs for Cities and host and producer of the nationally syndicated public radio show Smart City. I haven’t heard the show, but the web site describes it as “an in-depth look at urban life, the people, places, ideas and trends shaping cities”.
I like cities. I like urban development. I like Carol Coletta.
Tags: ArtPrize, Carol Coletta, CEOs for Cities, Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Michigan, Jane Lovett, Peaches Bed and Breakfast, Smart City, YouTube
