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


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Grand Rapids Medical Mile
Grand Rapids Medical Mile

See the VanAndel Institute logo? The blue cylinder building? And the building in the foreground with the curved roof? These are all beacons of hope for our health care future in west Michigan and just a taste of Grand Rapids Medical Mile. The medical mile is about a mile in length and is composed of medical related businesses and organizations located in the Hillside District. It has also been referred to as “Health Hill” and “Pill Hill”.

Highlights of the Medical Mile include the new Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (scheduled to open in 2011), the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion,  the Meijer Heart Center and Butterworth Hospital–all of which are part of the Spectrum Health campus; the Van Andel Institute; the GVSU Cook DeVos Center for Health Sciences and the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine’s Secchia Center.

Upstage Crew helped kick off the 40th Anniversary of the Festival of the Arts today at noon.
Upstage Crew helped kick off the 40th Anniversary of the Festival of the Arts today at noon.

The Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids is a great way to spend this weekend and it looks like we’ll have great weather. This celebration features lots of ethnic food, fine art, local bands on multiple stages, a juried film competition, activities for children of all ages and dance performances. All performances are free thanks to generous donations and lots of volunteers. Festival will be on June 5, 6 and 7. Here’s a link to Upstage Crew’s website.

Downtown Grand Rapids from the Rooftop at Sunset
Downtown Grand Rapids from the Rooftop at Sunset

So, this is where I was the other evening. I took this photo from the new helipad at Spectrum Health at sunset. I felt a little like Mary Poppins overlooking the city, only not quite as brave. I love heights but feel a little quesy until I get used to it, so I guess I’ll have to get more experience in high places!

He thinks he's cool.
He thinks he's cool.

The Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition will be winding down pretty soon, so if you want to see it, this would be the time to act. The event is over on April 30th. The butterflies are at their best on sunny days, they go crazy and are everywhere.

I appreciate having the Frederik Meijer Gardens here in West Michigan. We’re lucky to have so many philanthropists who care about making their hometown special. It’s not unusual to see Fred Meijer at the gardens he and his wife Lena so generously gave to this community. And the gardens continue to grow and give. Each year I’m amazed at the new exhibits and changes that make them even better.

Popular coming attractions are the Michigan All-State Bonsai Show May 16 – 17 and the Jonathan Borofsky exhibition, now underway through May 10.

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.

I was standing above the fishladder when I took this.
I was standing above the fish ladder when I took this.

Today I was just itching to take a picture but couldn’t think of anything and then presto bammo, I thought of getting a shot at the fish ladder. This photo was taken at Fish Ladder Park in Grand Rapids. If I showed you the photos I took facing the other direction, you’d see several fisherman standing out in the freezing cold water fishing… what the heck??? In my book, you’d REALLY have to love fishing to be out in that cold water. Hope they were catching something. The fish ladder is in downtown Grand Rapids, along the Grand River, near the 6th Street Bridge.

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.