WMU ArtPrize events include 35-piece exhibit, reception and more

Contact: Mark Schwerin
Art on display at the ArtPrize exhibit

Art on display at the ArtPrize exhibit.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—An art exhibit featuring 35 registered ArtPrize projects and a reception on Saturday, Sept. 27 are some of the events planned as Western Michigan University's Gwen Frostic School of Art celebrates and takes part in the open, independently organized international art competition in Grand Rapids.

The art exhibit, reception and other events will take place at the WMU-Grand Rapids Downtown location at 200 Ionia St. S.W. The reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, presenting the work of 46 artists and transforming WMU's unique downtown fifth floor into a spectacular artistic venue. Other events taking place that day include an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. for prospective students to view the exhibit, grab a cup of coffee and watch the WMU-Virginia Tech football game, which begins at 12:30 p.m.

Art created on site

One of the participating artists, Paul Flickinger, WMU professor of art, a ceramicist and sculptor, will create art on site, making 1,000 tea bowls over the course of ArtPrize. A tea ceremony will take place starting at 5 p.m. during the reception.

WMU students, faculty, staff, alumni, retired professors and national artists created the art in the exhibit, with Nayda Collazo-Llorens acting as juror and curator. Collazo-Lorens, whose work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, has focused on original contemporary art that creates a dialogue that challenges, informs and inspires the audience.

Collazo-Llorens is a visual artist working in various media, including drawings, prints, video, installation works and public interventions. Her exhibition "An Exercise in Numbness and Other Tales" was exhibited at the WMU Richmond Center for Visual Arts in 2012. Her work also has been exhibited recently at shows in Miami, New York, San Jaun, Puerto Rico, and Mexico City.

Exhibit hours

The exhibition is open to the public through Oct. 12. Art show hours are 5 to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit artprize.org/western-michigan-university-grand-rapids or call the Frostic School of Art at (269) 387-2436.