CONSUMERS ENERGY, GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLLABORATE FOR ARTPRIZE EVENT

Nearly two dozen student artists from Grand Rapids Public Schools are vying to have their energy-related art work highlighted during this fall’s ArtPrize competition through collaboration with the school district and Consumers Energy. 
More than 50 entries were submitted with a theme of energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainability. Media include oil pastels, pencil/charcoal drawing, mixed media, and three-dimensional materials comprised of cardboard, acrylic paint, spray paint on Styrofoam and recycled trash.
Twenty entries from the 50, have been selected by Grand Rapids Public Schools’ officials  to 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 September 29th, during ArtPrize’s Top 10 announcement of its publicly-voted entries, which is sponsored by Consumers Energy.
The contest’s top winner will receive a $1,000 college scholarship from the Michigan Education Trust courtesy of Consumers Energy and have their artwork displayed on the wall of the company’s electric substation at Fulton Street and Monroe Avenue downtown. All semifinalists are expected to have their art entries displayed on a special sign to be located outside the substation during ArtPrize, which runs Sept. 18 to Oct. 6.

ArtPrize, now in its fifth year, attracts nearly a half million visitors to its more than 160 indoor and outdoor venues in and around downtown Grand Rapids. Time Magazine included ArtPrize on its worldwide list of “Five Festive Events You Won’t Want to Miss in 2013.” Consumers Energy has been an ArtPrize sponsor since 2011.

For more information on ArtPrize, visit www.artprize.org.