ArtPrize 2014: What's Going On Sept. 25

Marc Sijan's three-dimensional exhibit titled "Reciprocity" was drawing some bemused looks at the Grand Rapids Art Museum on Wednesday on the opening day of ArtPrize 2014. It is part of the exhibit "ArtPrize 2014 at GRAM:[DIS]Comfort Zones." (Photo: Matt Milhouse/100.5 The River)[/caption]

There are 1,537 artist entries from 42 U.S. states and 51 countries at ArtPrize 2014, which opened Wednesday. With the combination of a public vote and juried honors, the sixth annual event is awarding $560,000 in prizes.

For the public vote, voting began at noon and round one closes at 11:59 p.m. Oct. 4, with the public vote finalists announced at 1 p.m. Oct. 2. Round two voting starts at 2 p.m. Oct. 2 with winner announced Oct. 9.

More than 13,000 votes had been cast by midnight Wednesday, according to ArtPrize's vote tabulations.

Today (Thursday, Sept. 25) is the second day of the 19-day public art exhibition, which runs through Oct. 12 in Grand Rapids.

Today's Big Event

St. Cecilia Music Center is the official ArtPrize 2014 music hub, and is organizing music busking at nine locations starting today through Oct. 4.

Here's today's schedule:

Blue Bridge (WGVU/west side): 5-6 p.m., Joe Guerra; 6-7 p.m., Jennifer Versluis; 7-8 p.m., Michael Crittenden.
DeVos Hall, Monroe Avenue NW sidewalk: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Joe Guerra.
Gillett Bridge/Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum: 5:30-6 p.m., Michael Crittenden; 7-8 p.m., Brian Gerrity of City Mice.
Lyons Square: 6-7 p.m., Coldville; 7-8 p.m., Matthew Fisher.
Monument Square: 6-7 p.m., Bruce Ling; 7-8 p.m., Max Lockwood.
Rosa Parks Circle: 11:30 a.m.-noon, Rene Meave; noon-1 p.m., Joe Guerra; 1-1:30 p.m., Channing & Quinn.
St. Cecilia Music Center: 5-5:30 p.m., Eldon Howe; 5:30-6 p.m., Steve Talaga; 6-7 p.m., Nicholas James Thomasma; 7-8 p.m., Liz Christian.
Van Andel Arena, West Fulton Street sidewalk: 5-6 p.m., American Wifi; 7-7:30 p.m., Serita's Black Rose; 7:30-8 p.m., Coldville.

The complete St. Cecilia Music Center music busking schedule.

Today's Thing to Do

Grand Rapids Children's Museum , 11 Sheldon Ave. NE, is offering Family Art Nights during ArtPrize today through Oct. 4.

The drop-in collaborative family art program is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. each evening, with reduced museum admission of $1.50 per person.

Wednesday's Big News

Kalamazoo artist Gurmej Singh, who professionally goes by Artist SinGh, has been permanently banned from ArtPrize, The Grand Rapids Press/MLive reported.

Singh told The Press' Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk he "was disappointed" with the decision, adding "my idea is to show art to the general public."

He had entered in 2009 and 2011, but had issues with planned ArtPrize installations in 2012 at The B.O.B. and in 2013 with a shortly-unfurled 11,300-foot-long painting along the Grand River, The Press reported.

Singh told The Press he has 100 drawings in windows of downtown businesses including Dodd's Record Shop, 20 S. Division Ave., and Stella's Lounge, 53 Commerce Ave. SW, in a series titled Project Holy Cow. However, ArtPrize officials said Singh is not an official entry.