Some Artprize Musings

So I didn't do it for the money, let's start right there. Since artprize began last week, I've seen some really awesome pieces of art in the limited areas I've traveled downtown Grand Rapids. There's been a lot of controversy surrounding some of the artists, some of the rules and voting procedures, how the contest is set up, etc. I'd like to draw your attention to this article over at the Grand Rapids Press that pretty much sums up how I feel about artprize so far:
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/09/artist_asks_to_be_withdrawn_fr.html
Lots of artists have been given free press from the news stations around here, the papers, all other various media outlets, like Rob Bliss with his 100,000 paper airplanes and the huge table and chairs setup atop the bridge. (I'm too lazy to look up the actual name of that one, sorry. Just look at the top 25 artists on artprize.org and he'll be one of them, I promise.) So basically what this boils down to is: If you are an artist participating in artprize and you aren't at the BOB or the UICA or the Old Federal Building as your hosted venue, or you don't have huge sculptures outside for all the world to see, you aren't going to get any prize money, publicity, or votes. I'm not trying to sound bitter, but this is absolute fact. We'll find out for sure Thursday based on who the top ten artists are.
Besides all of that, this is a wonderful opportunity for people to get their names out there. I am so thankful to Independent Bank, especially Nickie Leppek, for hosting me at the Monroe Center branch; I had 100 business cards sitting out by my piece, unaware that they would all be gone in two days! I was utterly unprepared for the huge response artprize has had on the people of Grand Rapids. Makes me proud to live here. :)
There's one more day to get registered and vote, but even if you don't, please take some time to scope out the little known venues, because lots of them are packed with some really great artists. Who cares about the prize money and which artist was the most popular? It's about the artwork and the joy it brings people to see it.
All of the art will be up until October 10.