EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The creative masterpieces of some Michigan State University faculty and staff will be on display during ArtPrize, an open art competition based in Grand Rapids. This year, ArtPrize will consist of almost 1,600 artists from 36 countries.
Henry Brimmer, assistant professor in the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Retailing at Michigan State University, will be one of only 32 artists — selected from a pool of 1,200 — to exhibit in the Grand Rapids Art Museum. His piece is titled, "Touch Wood."
After hearing so much about the first ArtPrize competition in 2009, Brimmer decided that he must attend Art Prize the next year. In 2010, he brought his two children and was amazed.
"I looked around and it was fabulous," Brimmer said. "I was excited to see a line of people outside a museum to see art. It wasn't a rock concert, or a football game — it was art. So I decided to give it a try this year."
As an open art competition, ArtPrize requires artists to submit their work to different venues in which they are interested in showing — these can range from outdoor venues to hospitals, bars, even the Meijer Gardens.
"I've done a few exhibitions, and I've also primarily done graphic design and photography, so my work is usually 2-D and in frames," Brimmer said. "I set out this time to do something that I haven't done before."
"Touch Wood," originally based on a photograph, evolved over time — due to both site limitations and creative momentum. The installation, as it stands, features large murals as well as different 3-D elements. "Touch Wood" encourages interaction with the art, allowing exhibit-goers to create their own art out of the elements of the installation.
The public can view Brimmer's work for free during ArtPrize from Sept. 21 to Oct. 9. On Sept. 22, Brimmer will present his work and participate in a panel discussion from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
Attendees can vote for Brimmer using the code 41741 the following ways:
• text message to 808080 (code 41741)
• iPhone application by downloading the ArtPrize app from iTunes (code 41471)
• online at www.artprize.org. Search for artist: Brimmer and enter code 41741.
• mobile browser via m.artprize.org. Search for artist: Brimmer and enter code 41741.
The other MSU faculty and staff members involved in Art Prize include:
• Steve Bezinque, clinical assistant professor with the College of Human Medicine West Michigan, who submitted a three-dimensional outdoor piece featuring steel and glass work titled "Reach." It is on display at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
• Elahe Crockett-Torabi, associate professor of medicine, who submitted an oil painting called "Light, Life and Time, which used 23k gold on canvas. Her piece is showing at West Coast Coffee.
• Stacie Dubay, clinical instructor of social work, who submitted a mixed media piece that features a painted wooden door, found objects, glass and recycled materials called "After the Rainbow Fell." It is showing at Fountain Street Church.
Staff members Mary Andersen and John LaCross also have pieces showcased.
To see a list of all the Spartans involved in ArtPrize — including alumni — visit http://supportforstudents.msu.edu/artprize.html. The site also features a map of the Grand Rapids area, marking the venues that feature Spartan artists.
The MSU College of Human Medicine Secchia Center, located at 15 Michigan St. NE, is hosting two ArtPrize artists —Adam Denherder and Phillip Martin.
Denherder created five steel sculptures based off the drawings of five west Michigan Make-A-Wish Foundation kids. After the conclusion of ArtPrize, the Make-A-Wish Foundation will auction off the sculptures as a fundraiser for the program.
Martin created a tribute to those who died in the Sept. 11 attacks. The mixed-media piece includes a sundial that is timed to highlight the locations where the attacks occurred.
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