A New Art Prize Gallery To Open

Just two more days and Art Prize 2011 will be under way.  Have you planned your trips around the city to scope out all of the wonderful art?

No doubt, location can make a difference for an artist.  The closer you are to "where the action is" will be key to be seen and hopefully voted on by the most art lovers.

That being the case, the Grand Rapids Business Journal reports that Mercantile Bank is helping to create an art gallery in prime ArtPrize territory.

The vacant building at 48 W. Fulton St. - a former restaurant between Ionia and Commerce streets in downtown Grand Rapids - is in a perfect location for an ArtPrize venue with many others nearby. The one-story building with a wide-open interior comprising more than 4,200 square feet apparently inspired somebody at Mercantile Bank.

The space had been occupied by the Thai Cuisine restaurant, which opened in September 2010 and closed in January.
The owner of the property is a Mercantile customer, so the bank received permission to turn 48 W. Fulton into an ArtPrize venue for seven entries in the city's successful public art competition that is open to all.

Click here to continue reading article from the Grand Rapids Business Journal.