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 11, 2009 in
Events & Happenings,
Lists 
No Better Place — at Peaches!
Here are my picks — for artists to see during my visit to Grand Rapids, for ArtPrize.
Click and Print! Here’s a handy PDF version of the Totally Unofficial, Utterly Biased, Guide to ArtPrize.
29 Gay Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Susan Viskar
L.Joel Sanderson
Mary Gaynier
Anthony Jackson
Sarah Weber
Nancy Tobin
Kathleen Kalinowski
Bold Strokes For Art
Mary Gaynier at Peaches
25 Ionia SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Sophie Canadé at Hop Cat
James Foster
Sophie Canadé
Diocese of Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Charlie Brouwer at Cathedral Square
Charlie Brouwer
235 Louis St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Jennifer O'Meara at JW Marriot
Jennifer O’Meara
314 Straight Ave. SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Ellen Margelis at Tanglefoot
Ellen Margelis
maureen nollette
Riverview Center
678 Front Aveune NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Jorge Enrrique Serrano Sanmiguel
20 Monroe Ave Nw
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Jaye Schlesinger at the BOB
Wrenay Gomez-Charlton
elizabeth ivy hawkins
Jaye Schlesinger
Jason Mack
georgia donovan
Don Simon
Michael Flynn
Patrick Thompson
Patrick Thompson at the BOB
155 N Division Ave
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Mari-Megan Moore at the Old Federal Building
Jason Ross
Mari-Megan Moore
robin rogers
Kevin Bourgeois
Kevin Bourgeois at the Old Federal Building
Heidi Van Wieren
Sun Kwak
Sonjie Feliciano Solomon
Eric Daigh
Ran Ortner
445 Michigan NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Renee Robbins at MSU
Janel Schultz
Lisa Simon
Mary Brodbeck
Renee Robbins
Michelle Word
Grand River
Grand River between Fulton and Pearl Streets
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
David Lubbers in the Grand River
David Lubbers
201 W. Fulton Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Rick Beerhorst/Cameron Van Dyke
Rick Beerhorst/Cameron Van Dyke
303 Monroe Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
David Greenwood at DeVos Place
David Greenwood
Victoria Fuller
187 Monroe Avenue, Suite 250
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
John Kleber at DeJonge Gallery
john kleber
335 Bridge St NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Michael Shankman at River House Condominiums
Michael Shankman
50 Louis Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Mike Kelley at Open Concept
Matthew Stork
Mike Kelley
41 Sheldon Boulevard SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Jason Hackenwerth at UICA
Norman Mooney
Jason Hackenwerth
george schmidt
Cyrus Karimipour
Cyrus Karimipour
Kurt Perschke
Shelly Klein
24 Fountain Street NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Eric Standley
Eric Rattan
Eric Standley
303 Pearl St. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Jonathan Hils at the Gerald Ford Museum
Jonathan Hils
455 Cherry SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
John Clement at the Castle
John Clement
187 Monroe Ave. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Stefano Bolcato at Amway Grand Plaza
Stefano Bolcato
17 Fountain St. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503l
Jenny Brillhart at Kendall College
Jenny Brillhart
101 Monroe Center
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Mimi Kato at Grand Rapids Art Museum
Mimi Kato
11 Sheldon Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Tracy Van Duinen at Grand Rapids Children's Museum
Tracy Van Duinen
820 Monroe Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
David Huang at Lafontsee Galleries
David Huang
Tags: Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Anthony Jackson, Bold Strokes For Art, Charlie Brouwer, Cyrus Karimipour, David Greenwood, David Huang, David Lubbers, Don Simon, elizabeth ivy hawkins, Ellen Margelis, Eric Daigh, Eric Rattan, Eric Standley, Fountain Street Church, george schmidt, georgia donovan, Gerald Ford Museum, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Heidi Van Wieren, Hop Cat, James Foster, Janel Schultz, Jason Hackenwerth, Jason Mack, Jason Ross, Jaye Schlesinger, Jennifer O'Meara, Jenny Brillhart, John Clement, john kleber, Jonathan Hils, Jorge Enrrique Serrano Sanmiguel, Kathleen Kalinowski, Kevin Bourgeois, Kurt Perschke, L.Joel Sanderson, LaFontsee Galleries/Underground Studio, Lisa Simon, Mari-Megan Moore, Mary Brodbeck, Mary Gaynier, maureen nollette, Michael Flynn, Michael Shankman, Michelle Word, Mike Kelley, Mimi Kato, n Sun Kwak, Norman Mooney, Old Federal Building, Patrick Thompson, Peaches Bed and Breakfast, Ran Ortner, Renee Robbins, Rick Beerhorst/Cameron Van Dyke, robin rogers, Sarah Weber, Shelly Klein, Sonjie Feliciano Solomon, Sophie Canadé, Stefano Bolcato, Susan Viskar, The BOB, The Castle, The TangleFoot Building, Tracy Van Duinen, UICA, Victoria Fuller, Wrenay Gomez-Charlton
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
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
Never thought I'd be the same article with Rick DeVos!
After moving from my hometown of Grand Rapids Mich., I’ve finally made it to the front page of the Grand Rapids Press! (OK, OK it’s really the front page of the Entertainment Section — but gosh, still exciting.)
I spoke with Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk — Arts Writer at the Press — last week, about ArtPrize, my experience with securing a venue, and my view from the outside, looking in.
It’s a fun article — Mr. Kaczmarczyk likens the whole affair with securing a date for the prom — which makes me start worrying … what will I wear!
Tags: ArtPrize, Grand Rapids Michigan, Grand Rapids Press, Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, Peaches Bed and Breakfast, Rick DeVos
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
