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 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
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Aug 3, 2009 in
Inspiration,
Reviews 
"Go team!" I think "Julia" by Keith Haring looks like a cheerleader with a little skirt. My daughter Lily thinks it looks like a shower head. What do you think?
Along with the usual campfires, beach and family fun I had last week — when I was home for our annual camping trip with my family in Western Michigan — I took time out to see some of the unique treasures in the area.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a gem! A world-class collection of gardens and art that took my breath away. Here are a few pictures of the multitudes …
Here's another one, that I don't know the name of … I think "Junkyard Dogs" fits, though.
I'd like to take this piece (titled "Mad Mom" by Tom Otterness) home.
I stopped by the Mad Hatter's tea party for a "succulent" treat.
Lovely, lovely Dale Chihuly's chandelier makes me want to go home and paint!
A section of the huge glass lighting fixture/sculpture by Dale Chihuly.
One of three figures made of letter forms by Jaume Plensa.
This Alexander Liberman piece titled "Aria" is like a song.
Tags: art, Camping, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, MI, sculpture, Western Michigan
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Jul 24, 2009 in
Daily Babble,
Events & Happenings My dear family is about to embark on our annual pilgrimage to my old stomping grounds: Western Michigan. Off to spend a week basking in the glorious natural beauty of Lake Michigan and the love of my huge family.
We’ll be camping — my little nuclear family — and a sizable chunk of my six siblings, all their spouses, offspring and grandchildren. This has become a family tradition — camping for a week in the summer — and I’m looking forward to the fun and relaxation!
Another thing I plan to do while I’m in the Grand Rapids area, is scope out the ArtPrize excitement: I hope to get over to Peaches Bed and Breakfast to meet Jane Lovette the owner, and check out the space where I’ll be hanging my work. I’d also like to do a little reporting on the event for my feature in NY Times Local; I’d love to get a chance to ask folks there in the center of the ArtPrize buzz, “how does New Jersey fit into the bigger art world?”
The camper is hooked up, we’re packed up and it’s time to head out the door for the grueling 11 hours on the road.
Bye for now — I’ll keep in touch while on the road.
Tags: ArtPrize, Camping, Grand Rapids, Jane Lovette, Lake Michigan, Michigan, Peaches Bed and Breakfast
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Jul 14, 2009 in
Check This Out,
Events & Happenings,
News,
Shows 
I’m goin’ home.
Grand Rapids, Michigan. Yep, I’m a MidWest girl — born and bred, and I’m going back to my roots to participate in what looks like the biggest art experiment ever — ArtPrize! Here’s how they explain it on their web site:
“At ArtPrize, any artist—from established to emerging—has the chance to show work. Any visitor can vote. The vote will determine who wins the largest art prize in the world. We also took the unusual step to allow people in the city to open a venue and choose the artists to show in their space. There is not one official curator or jury for the competition.
The number of venues is fluid, so the number of competing artists is fluid. The possibilities are wide open.”
And here’s the scoop:
- Top prize: $250,000
- Dates: September 23 – October 10
- Location: Grand Rapids, MI USA
- Winner is determined by public vote
- All attendees of the event can vote
- Top 10 entries will receive a prize
- Multiple artists can collaborate on an entry
- Artists may only submit one entry
- Property owners/renters in downtown Grand Rapids can become a venue
- Number of artists represented is only limited by number of venues that become available
Yesterday, I secured my venue; Peaches Bed and Breakfast. Should be interesting. So now, along with two other shows I have planned for this fall — I’ll be heading home to hopefully make a big splash at Peaches, see all of my family and participate in what looks like a grand delight!
Tags: ArtPrize, Grand Rapids, MI, Peaches Bed and Breakfast
