Yesterday, I decided to take a trip to downtown Grand Rapids and volunteer at ArtPrize headquarters. I have to tell you that after seeing what I saw, you need to know, this is a big, big deal. If you are from anywhere near Grand Rapids, you will be sorry you missed out, if you don’t make it in to see this. Wherever you come from, if you love art, again, you will wish you made it to this event.

As an artist, I volunteered to help support ArtPrize because it helps us all, and to check out the competition. I was curious because I just didn’t know what to expect. I live about 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids and as I drove into town, I could literally feel the excitement. Artists were everywhere relaxing, working and checking out the sites. The work to be exhibited is inspiring and incredibly diverse. I love this because it exposes so many creative solutions and ways of thinking that it is opening my mind in a way I had never imagined.

I hope you will make it to ArtPrize, it’s a unique event that’s a little confusing until you actually come to town and see it happen.

Here’s downloadable maps from The Grand Rapids Press to the venues where art will be shown.

Map A Download Map B with Downtown Venues For those interested in seeing my entry, I will be at Venue #124 (shown on Map A), at Spectrum Health, Butterworth campus in the lobby off Michigan Street. You will need to download and print both of these maps, they need to be viewed together, viewed alone, they won’t make sense.

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Me (Ann Teliczan) with ArtPrize entry, now installed at Spectrum Health, Butterworth campus' main lobby.
Ann’s ArtPrize Voting Code: vote33051 ... Me (Ann Teliczan) with my ArtPrize entry, now installed at Spectrum Health, Butterworth campus' main lobby.

I just got back from Spectrum Health, where my ArtPrize entry is now in place. They were so nice to me and pros at installing my work. I’m always a little nervous about transporting and installing a piece this large and heavy.

About my technique: The work, titled LifeFlow, is 3 panels, each being 24″ wide x 36″ high. I used a technique that I taught myself. I combine huge digital captures from a scanner, a few photos, and then redraw the images on my computer, followed by over painting the resulting work, once it’s printed, with mica in a form where it retains translucency. You can’t tell from this photo, but in person, the mica creates a luminous effect that changes when you view the work from different angles. All told, the files used to create the image are HUGE, each file I worked with is over 3 gigabytes when uncompressed. The mica I paint with is a mineral and in powder form. One more thing, I love to garden, and I picked the flowers from my gardens, lotus bog and woods.

What inspired LifeFlow: This piece was created to reflect the beauty and transformations of life. It features a lotus pod, which represents a new beginning as well as an ending. Interestingly, the lotus pod is also a natural mandala. The lily’s represent life and if you look closely in the background, you’ll see upside down buildings, and flowers that look like people. I like to create work with positive energy and that makes people feel good. We all need more of that.

Location: You can see this piece at the Spectrum Health, Butterworth Campus main lobby, it’s right by the fireplace when you walk in the main hospital entrance (where the valet parking is).

Ann’s ArtPrize Voting Codes: vote33051

Buying Work from Ann: Yes, this piece is for sale, it’s $7,500 and I also accept commissioned work. Please call me at 616-560-4570 if interested.

So, there you have it, I hope you’ll get a chance to see this, and, of course I’d appreciate your vote… first place is $250,ooo and the winner is determined by the number of votes they receive from the public. The official voting to determine the top ten finalists is from September 23 – September 30. Here’s a link to ArtPrize voting information. Please see the following post for ArtPrize voter registration sites.

From September 23 – October 7, the city of Grand Rapids will serve as a “venue” for over 1,200 artists from around the world. They will be competing for the world’s largest art prize ever, with $250,000 being awarded to the first place winner. The winners will be chosen by the public. To vote, you must register at one of the ArtPrize registration sites, voting is done online or by texting. I’ve had a lot of people ask me where they can register to vote for ArtPrize. Ask and you shall receive!

You must be 16 years or age or older and you must register at the event to vote. You can pre-register on artprize.org and save time activating your voter status at the event.

Voter registration stations will be available throughout the city from September 23-October 7. All locations have agreed to be open the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 23–Opening Night.

ArtPrize Registration Sites

ART PRIZE REGISTRATION SITE MAP LINK

Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
187 Monroe Ave
M-Su: 9a-6p, except 9/24 Th: 12-10p

ArtPrize Headquarters @ Old Federal
155 N. Division
M-Th: 5p-8p, F-Sa: noon-10p, Su: noon-6p

Frederik Meijer Garden & Sculpture Park
1000 East Beltline NE
M: 9a-5p, Tu: 9a-9p, W-Sa: 9a-5p, Su: noon-5p

Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
111 Pearl NW
M-F: 8:30a-5p, Sa-Su: closed

Grand Rapids Art Museum
101 Monroe Center
M: closed, Tu-Th: 10a-5p, F: 10a-9p, Sa: 10a-5p, Su: noon-5p

Grand Rapids Ballet Company
341 Ellsworth SW
M-Th: 9a-7p, F: 9a-5p, Sa: 9a-1p, Su: closed

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
11 Sheldon NE
M: closed, Tu-W: 9:30a-5p, Th: 9:30a-8p, F-Sa: 9:30a-5p, Su: noon-5p

Grand Rapids Community College
Student Community Center off Lyon St
M-Th: 8a-5p, F: 8a-6p, Sa-Su: closed

Grand Rapids Symphony
300 Ottawa NW, Suite 100
M-F: 9a-5p, Sa-Su: closed

Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl NW
M: 9a-5p, Tu: 9a-9p, W-Sa: 9a-5p, Su: noon-5p

GVSU University Bookstore
401 W. Fulton
M-Th: 8a-6p, F: 8a-5p, Sa: 8a-2p, Su: closed

JW Marriott
235 Louis NW
M-Su: 9a-6p

Main Public Library
111 Library NE
M-Th: 9a-9p, F-Sa: 9a-6p, Su: 1p-5p

UICA
41 Sheldon SE
M: 9-8p, Tu-F: 9-10p, Sa: noon-10p, Su: noon-7p


Cedar River Golf Course
Cedar River Golf Course
The Legend Golf Course, Designed by Arnold Palmer
The Legend Golf Course, Designed by Arnold Palmer

After having some hard times, Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire is back and better than ever. The resort is under new ownership and it shows in the facilities as well as the golf courses which include The Legend Golf Course, which was designed by Arnold Palmer; Summit Golf course, Schuss Mountain Golf Course; and Cedar River Golf Course, designed by architect and PGA player Tom Weiskopf (Cedar River was named a Top 100 resort course by Golf Magazine.)

There’s some great golf deals right now. At the time of this writing, they have a September & October package which is valid 7 days a week, that includes:
• One night’s lodging in a guest room
• One day of unlimited golf on any of the four courses
• Golf cart and range balls included
• $10 food & beverage voucher

Here’s a link to their website, if you’d like to learn more.

Does anyone know the names of these mushrooms?
Does anyone know the names of these mushrooms?

I’ve never seen so many different kinds of mushrooms in my life. I was walking through the woods today and was just amazed at all the different colors and sizes. By the way, I’m not really going to eat these, I have the feeling that a dinner consisting of these babies could make for a real rough night.

Coming later… pics from Shanty Creek, wow has that place had a transformation!

Remember when you would run, play and just not care about anything but having fun?
Remember when you would run, play and just not care about anything but having fun?

As a child, I remember running on the beach and feeling totally free. I saw this little girl chasing after the seagulls in Manistee and all those memories came back to me. Of course after I took this shot, I had to help her out and chase the seagulls too.

Manistee Beauty, Just 2 Hours from Grand Rapids
Manistee Beauty, Just 2 Hours from Grand Rapids

I just got back from a weekend in Manistee and was amazed at both the beauty and how few people were there. Here’s a link to the area I took this off Lakeshore Beach Drive. The first time I saw Manistee was about three years ago and I was blown away by what a hidden treasure this place is. There’s still time to soak up some summertime beauty, sun and waves up north, why not head to Manistee? It’s only two hours from Grand Rapids, check it oouuuttt!

Driving along the backroads to Fremont
Driving along the backroads to Fremont

I’ve been pretty lazy with my blog this summer so I thought I’d better make this post a good one since it’s been so long. I took this on the way to my friend’s wedding party (Congratulations Amity & Lance!). It was so beautiful that day driving though the backroads on the way to Fremont.

Picadillis in Whitehall, MI
Pekadills in Whitehall, MI

I’ll tell you what’s going on, someone’s enjoying Pekadills in Whitehall, MI. YUM! I absolutely love this place. First of all, the food is great; second of all they have a garden area out back that is totally relaxing to enjoy that great meal in; and lastly, Whitehall is a nice little lakeshore town with one of the best boat launches around. Here’s a link to Pekadills website. And another link to Whitehall.

Photo Taken by the Pentwater Yacht Club
Photo Taken by the Pentwater Yacht Club

I love going to Pentwater because in about 80 – 90 minutes (from Grand Rapids), I can escape to a place that feels like I’m way up north in a little seaside village with lots of cute little shops. Today, I’m even going to help you go shopping and explore the town. Here’s some of of my favorite places in Pentwater, they are all located downtown on Hancock Street:

Air Fun Kites: Lots and lots of unique kites and flying things for the air!

House of the Setting Sun Art Gallery: A wonderfully relaxing little gallery of fun by Renee Berggren  Connoy.

Gardener’s Folly: Interesting, fun and unique things for your home and garden.

Blue Mermaid Gems: Really cool, reasonably priced jewelry supplies.

Bitchin Kitchen: If you love cooking, you’ll love all the gadgets and stuff here.

Oldewick Post: Coffee’s and gifts.

Then after a fun day in Pentwater, take a scenic drive back to Grand Rapids on B-15 and go through Hart. Of course, that means dinner at the Mexican restaurant locals flock to from miles around, La Fiesta (located at State and Main in Hart.)

Okay, so there you have it a fun day trip from Grand Rapids. Here’s a google map link to Pentwater… maybe I’ll see you there!