Twenty student artists from Grand Rapids Public Schools are competing to have their energy-related artwork highlighted during ArtPrize.

The competition is a collaboration of Consumers Energy, Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) and the City of Grand Rapids.

ArtPrize brings artists and art fans of all ages together. The second annual SMART Art competition from Consumers Energy highlights the work of high school students from GRPS.

SMART stands for Students Making Art with a Renewable Theme.

There were nearly 50 entries submitted in the SMART Art competition with a theme of energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability. Media include oil pastels, pencil/charcoal drawing and mixed media.

The 20 finalists will now be judged by a panel of art professionals from Kendall College of Art & Design at Ferris State University, Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University.

The top 10 winners will be announced at the start of ArtPrize, which runs Sept. 24 to Oct. 12. The overall winner will be announced during the Final 20 announcement on Oct. 5.

“Bringing together tomorrow’s artists, Grand Rapids Public Schools and ArtPrize is a great way to highlight the importance of energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability all in a city that values solid energy stewardship,” said Garrick Rochow, Consumers Energy’s vice president of customer operations and quality.

The overall winner will receive a $1,000 college scholarship from Consumers Energy. The Top 10 finalists will have their artwork displayed on the wall of Consumers Energy's electric substation at Fulton Street and Monroe Avenue downtown throughout ArtPrize 2014.

“Last year’s inaugural competition was fantastic and we are pleased to have this opportunity again with the help of Consumers Energy along with ArtPrize,” said Teresa Weatherall Neal, GRPS superintendent.

Here are the semi-finalists with artist name, artwork title and high school:

  • Rob Briggs, Naturalizing Energy, Kent Education Center Beltline.
  • Cheook Chan, Energy Equilibrium, City.
  • Lily Dent, Reflected Choices, City.
  • Eddie Garcia, Mother’s Earth, Grand Rapids Montessori.
  • Marlee Guiford, Windy Afternoon, City.
  • TaQuasha Gunter,  Save the World, Union.
  • Sydney Hardy, Renewable Strength, City.
  • Ishijah Jefferson,  The Light of Our World, City.
  • Victoria Martinez, What’s Your Choice, City.
  • Zach Petroelje, Go Car Go, K.E.C. Beltline
  • Amanda Pittman, Energy of the Dance, City.
  • Jason Poisson, Space Saver, K.E.C. Beltline
  • Sarah Stepanovich, Green Revolution, City.
  • Kaleb Suleiman, The Naked Eye, Grand Rapids Montessori.
  • Riley Tew, Breath, Grand Rapids Montessori.
  • Anneliese Waalkes Hopping to Energy, City.
  • Jonathan Washington, Not Perfect, But Perfect, Innovation Central.
  • Markeishas Weaver, Conflict of Energy, Grand Rapids Montessori.
  • Keegan Wright, Ulaanbaatar, City.
  • Anjalena Sanchez, The Visual Onomatopoeia, Union.

Congratulations and good luck to all of the artists!

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