mike simi

Another great year of ArtPrize in Grand Rapids has concluded. Some of this year's artists and entries will be remembered for years to come, just like we remember Mike Simi's "Mr. Weekend" from 2012.

ArtPrize artists have begun to register and connect with ArtPrize venues for this fall's competition. We're still months away from enjoying the work of hundreds of ArtPrize artists, but we know a couple of past favorites who will not be returning to this year's event.

ArtPrize teaches us that the beauty of art is in the eye of the beholder.  So is the humor. Mr. Weekend is a 15-foot-tall talking sock puppet.  He talks about not liking his job, getting put back into a crate after ArtPrize, and a variety of topics for about 5 minutes.  Reactions to Mr. Weekend vary widely. Is Mr. Weekend funny, sad, or both?