Grand Rapids, Michigan never ceases to amaze me. My family and I have lived here since 2001. We moved here two weeks before 9/11.
The way this community reaches out to help each other is like no other place I have ever lived.
I remember just where I was when the reports of the bombing of 9/11 hit the TV, not knowing hardly anyone in town.... I was scared and nervous. However my new neighbors came over and checked on me, and together we worked through it.
Michigan is in the top 10 for foreclosures, and many jobs have been lost. Since 9/11 many people in this community have experienced loss of some kind. It has been hard for many.
But for the last 2 years, A guy named Rick DeVos, son of a very wealthy family in the area, had an idea. He wanted to have the largest money prize contest for artist from anywhere here in Grand Rapids, and called it ArtPrize.
I am not sure he knew the effect this was going to have on our community, I am sure he had dreams of what it could be like, and what it would mean to our community.
I imagine the out come exceeded his expectations. As I must admit it did mine.
There has been such a positive effect from this main event here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There has been many articles featured not only in our local paper, and reports from local and surrounding news programs, we have been noticed by the New York Times and many other large news programs and papers.
However, I think one of the things that amazes me the most and makes me smile a smile from ear to ear, is the way our community comes together during these 2 weeks of ArtPrize.
There has been neighborhood block parties, the restaurants are so busy - as during this time there is more then enough business to go around for our down town restaurants, the owners help each other out, the volunteers for this event is plentiful and the culture is taught to many of our children as they walk the streets and buildings with parents and teachers.....to see the expression of art in just about every form you can think of.
When attending ArtPrize last Saturday, the most impressive thing out of all of this to me, was the way the public all got along, were happy, polite, friendly in a VERY large crowd of people. Kind of reminds me of a Jimmy Buffet concert!
People of all ages, from all walks of life attended........however.........the feeling I got, was none of this mattered. The event is free, so all can attend who would like. Strangers talked to each other to discuss the art. We met artist from all over, and artist's shared their thoughts and idea's as well as talked about where they are from and what it is like there.
ArtPrize is more then a BIG money prize contest. To me, it is a peace maker, a education for young and old, a 2 week event that makes a lot of people happy, in a time and place, where many are struggling. To be able to do this for our community is huge! I applaud Rick DeVos in his efforts and accomplishments with this event. And I say "THANK YOU"!
I have an update to this blog:
Last Saturday night we had dinner downtown at one of my favorite's Tre Cugini - they have out door seating. We enjoyed awesome food and great wine while watching the free outdoor concert sponsored by the VanAndel family. It is truly one of the best evenings I have thus far in the city of Grand Rapids. Again it was very crowed, but the people were friendly - dancing and singing along to the music. It was very hard for me to sit still at my table. Okay, I confess, I did not sit still we all danced too!
Also, this event has caught the attention - again - with national news - Kathie Lee Giifford. She says she loves our town, and ArtPrize - So Kathie - when are you ready to buy your summer home here in Grand Rapids? Call me! I will be happy to show other things/places that make Grand Rapids, Michigan great all year round!
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