ArtPrize 2010 Ann Teliczan
"Presence" 72" x 36" Multi Media Painting by Ann Teliczan at Butterworth Hospital Main Lobby. Voting Code: 38751

I’ve had a few days to pick some favorite artists for ArtPrize 2010. And also to give you some tips about ArtPrize parking and other ideas to help you when you visit ArtPrize.

FEATURED ARTIST ANN TELICZAN/VOTING CODE 38751: Today I am featuring my ArtPrize entry. My work is located in the main lobby at Spectrum Health’s Butterworth Campus (the entrance on Michigan Street where they have valet parking.) When you walk in the door, my work is on the right, by the big fireplace. If you get a chance to see my work, make sure you view it close up from several different angles. I painted mica on it, which changes appearance when you view the painting from different angles. I hope you enjoy this, I created it with the intention of making something that cause positive mood transformations. If you want to see some of my other work, you can visit my website at www.Anntopia.com

ART PRIZE PARKING TIP: Parking is going to be a challenge during peak ArtPrize hours. But I have a solution, if you park in the Butterworth Hospital parking ramp on Michigan street, it’s a very short walk to many of the ArtPrize venues. A bonus is that you will probably have free ArtPrize parking if you try this (that’s not a promise though). Many times, the parking garage is unattended at the exit and the parking is free. The easiest route is to park in the parking ramp, start your ArtPrize tour at Butterworth Hospital’s main lobby, and then continue down the hill behind the hospital to other venues.

PUBLIC MUSEUM VENUE TIP: Make sure you see the work on the 3rd floor of the Grand Rapids Public Museum, it’s spectacular.

GRAND VALLEY ARTISTS AT ALTEN PLACE: This is another venue that has a lot of great work that is not highly publicized, I think it’s definitely worth visiting.

SKYWALKS: Don’t let the dreary weather stop you from coming downtown and enjoying ArtPrize. A lot of Grand Rapids is connected with skywalks and you can get to many of the venues by taking the skywalks.

Post and Art by Ann Teliczan

The Hub is a place you will want to get familiar with, fast if you're in town for ArtPrize.

ArtPrize, in Grand Rapids, Michigan officially starts on Wednesday so I decided to go downtown today and see the status of things to come. After roaming around Grand Rapids, I wrapped up the day by visiting “The Hub.” This is a place you will want to know about if you are visiting ArtPrize.

The Hub is decked out with lounges for visitors to interact with each other

Rick and Melissa DeVos were at The Hub today checking out last minute details.

and the artists. It also has an artist lounge, which Rick DeVos, the founder of ArtPrize told me is going to be quite nice. In other words, if you’re an artist, you’re missing out if you don’t spend some time there.

If you want to know what everyone’s talking about, go spend some time at The Hub. It’s located at 155 N. Division in the Center of Grand Rapids (it’s also known as the old Federal Building.) Here’s more about The Hub from the official ArtPrize blog.

Check back often to learn more about my ArtPrize discoveries, I plan to do a lot of blogging about it.

Post & HDR photo by Ann Teliczan

Chihuly's A New Eden Exhibit at the Frederik Meijer Gardens
This is my favorite of the 25 Chihuly exhibits at the Frederik Meijer Gardens

Ever since the Chihuly exhibit came to the Frederik Meijer Gardens, I’ve noticed that it seems to eventually come up in conversation with my friends and business associates. The reason everyone is talking about this exhibit is that it’s unique, stunning and beautiful. The exhibit was to end in September and is now being held over until October 31, 2010.

The Chihuly exhibit, titled A New Eden, features 15 sculpture sites with most of them outside and a continuously playing presentation about Chihuly in the Hoffman Family Theater. Dale Chihuly is said to be the most sought after artist in the world, working primarily in glass. This is his 2nd exhibition at the Gardens.

It was hard to pick my favorite from all the sites, but if I had to pick, it would be of the area shown in this HDR photo that I took during my 3rd visit (and I’ll be back for more!).

Frederik Meijer Garden’s hours are:

Mon and Tues: 9 am–9 pm
Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat: 9 am–5 pm
Sun: 12 pm–5 pm

You can learn more at their website by clicking here.

If you can make it, I’d highly recommend this exhibit (just in case you can’t already figure that out!)

Post & HDR photo by Ann Teliczan

Ed Stritch of The Concord Group purchases and donates "LifeFlow" by Ann Teliczan to Spectrum Health.

I am so very pleased to announce that my work for ArtPrize has been purchased by Ed Stritch of the Concord Group, and donated to Spectrum Health. As a result, LifeFlow will be added to the permanent art collection at the Butterworth Hospital campus. Presently, the piece is located in the main entrance of the hospital off Michigan Street.

The Concord Group has played an active role in several major West Michigan construction projects. Mr. Stritch has led key initiatives for Spectrum Health, providing construction cost estimating services and owner representation for large construction projects. His small army of architects, engineers, project managers and estimators review designs and specifications to help owners put construction costs in perspective.

Mr. Stritch purchased LifeFlow as a gift to the community and to show his appreciation for the arts in Grand Rapids. I am so happy to see this piece stay at Spectrum Health. Since its installation for ArtPrize, I have received numerous comments from Spectrum Health employees, patients and patient families saying that they had hoped it would become permanent. I developed LifeFlow with the intention of it being a healing, nurturing work. So, thank you again, I am totally delighted to see this happen, what a great way to start the new year!

Ann Teliczan will be at Booth 41 at the Reeds Lake Clothesline Art Festival this Saturday, June 20 from 9AM - 5PM
Ann Teliczan will be at Booth 41 at the Reeds Lake Clothesline Art Festival this Saturday, June 20 from 9AM - 5PM

This Saturday, June 20, 2009 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, I’ll have a booth at the 44th Annual Reeds Lake Art Festival. I’ll have work from my new Enlightened Series, my Essence Series as well as some oldies but goodies. If you buy some of my work, I may even surprise you with a nice little gift with purchase.

The Reeds Lake Clothesline Art Festival is juried and features great artists and is just a nice show to experience. There really is something for everyone and the laid back environment makes it one of my favorites to attend whether I’m buying or selling.

I hope you’ll stop by and see me, I’ll be at Booth #41 on Lakeside Drive. Rain or shine. Here’s a google map link to help you get to the show and find free parking and my booth. The show is in East Grand Rapids, Michigan with artist booths lining Wealthy and Lakeside Drive.

UPDATE: I just wanted to thank the Grand Rapids Press for featuring my work in their article about the show. You can see article here at this link to the story.

Butterflies Are Blooming Through The End of April
Butterflies Are Blooming Through The End of April

One sure sign spring is nearing in west Michigan is that the Foremost’s Butterflies Are Blooming Exhibit is underway. This is one of the most popular exhibits at the Frederik Meijer Gardens, and for good reason. It’s a delightful experience to enter the exhibit and be among fluttering butterflies everywhere. This is the largest temporary butterfly exhibit in the United States.

Joy, that’s what I feel visiting there, I hope you can make it to the exhibit, I think you’ll love it.

The Van Andel Arena

I think it’s great that we have the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. The arena draws huge acts and it’s really easy to go see them, with cheap, easy parking nearby. In the last few years, I’ve seen bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phil Collins, Prince, Sarah McLaughlin and Nine Inch Nails at the arena. Last time I was downtown, I was thinking about how unique this city is. It has some incredible resources for a city of this size, yet is easy to navigate, safe and fun. Just another reason why I love it here.

One of the Many Sculptures in the Park
One of the Many Sculptures in the Park

I can’t decide if I like the Frederik Meijer Gardens more at Christmas or in the summer. What I can say is that it’s a beautiful place to visit any time of day, and any time of year. If you’re still looking for that perfect Christmas present, they have a gift shop with reasonably priced gifts that are unique and special.

Big Glen Lake after the Storm
Big Glen Lake after the Storm

This weekend I went up to one of my favorite places, Syncronicity Art Gallery, to drop off some more of my work. And, as usual just had to stop and marvel at Big and Small Glen Lakes. The water was a vivid aqua blue earlier in the day but I didn’t stop to take a photo till on the way home when the water color was less intense.

Rachle Finan, Flame Thrower

Rachle Finan of the Super Happy Funtime Burlesque performed a fire dance tonight at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center Avenue for the Arts event. I’d never seen a fire dance before, it was really interesting, especially with Rachle. She has a lot of energy and enthusiasm… my son calls her “Sexy Pochahontas.”