ArtPrize

As promised, I will reflect and write about our visit to the world's largest art competition. This was our second experience and ArtPrize's seventh year.

Last year we were there on the day the 2014 winners were announced and got to see the two previous winners at the HUB: 2013 Grand Prize Winner; Reflections on Grand Prize 2012.

This time we walked into the large display room at the HUB and saw last year's winner of both public and juried vote, Intersections. 

This time we were there on the day after the the winners were anounced. The lines to get into the venues where the winners were displayed were impossibly long. I read about them online on the way home. Northwood Awakening won the 2D category, interestingly the same artist that won the public vote in 2013.

You can peruse all the 1500 entries  on the ArtPrize.org website. I just did and counted some 60 I remembered. I'm sure there were others, non-memorable ones.

I found the charcoal drawing that had Mike mesmerized it was so incredibly detailed, more like a photograph.

"Portrait of Kayla" by Brian Duey

I was fascinated by the meaningful message of the layered heart and the many words pointing to the process and possibility of finding true freedom from bondage.

"Breaking Free" by Jake Smit

My own photos are very random. I like this one because some of our friends are in it.

"Twins" stoneware by Naoto Nakata (dogs made up of multiple stacked dogs)

"Dark Eagle" digital art by Jennie Bethel

This one drew my attention because of the artist's statement.

I thought Son Stephan would like to see this next one.

"Lady of the Woods" a wood carving by Billy Meinke

Once again the artists' statement drew me in and the words throughout. (Guess I'm a word lover.)
The Shoemaker family created this 3-D piece to represent the family they became when they took in five siblings from Africa and a Russian exchange student.

"Grafted In" by The Shoecrew

Obviously, not everyone who enters expect to win. Many do so to share a message or simply because they enjoy creating.

"Blue Giraffe" by Jim Neal

This large free-standing 3-D piece was right across from one of the  murals that appear each year somewhere in the city. Last year we watched the lone artist at work in his lift-bucket putting the final touches to his enormous painting. This one, however, was created entirely with tape.

"The Grand Rapid Tape Drawing" by The Tape Art Crew

Sharing the day with friends definitely enhanced the experience. It would be great fun to make this an annual event, though I would try to plan our route more carefully and  NOT go on the last weekend. I've read since that the best time to go is on the first day to avoid the crowds and find parking. However, we would miss out on the many transformations of projects that are ongoing throughout the 21 days.

The last exhibit before we said goodbye to the delightful girls and their parents, was an interactive musical event, another one of those artistic forms subject to constant change.

2015 Week 41: Birthdays, Art, and Friends

Another full week: two birthdays in one week; the usual weekly commitments (teaching, robotics, writing); and a fun fall trip to Michigan.

Sunday we gathered to celebrate Kayla's 24th. The crazy-version birthday song never fails to entertain.

I always hope for a family photo-op, but once again there were missing members. However, we did manage a Kern-family pic.

Monday,  on Kayla's actual birthday, we went to Bodies in Motion, her favorite dance supply shop, and had lunch at The Bridge Cafe, now her favorite restaurant.

 I dug out photos of Kayla in her first year and couldn't believe how much Rebecca resembles her.

Morning walks were chilly. One of the ladies gave us each fingerless gloves. She also showed us the jewelry she'd been making with her sister. We stocked up on Christmas gifts. And, of course, I couldn't resist the cute little turtle pins.
We noticed flowers strewn on the path and wondered who'd been tearing up the planters at the depot. Hmmmm...caught in the act--the friendly white rabbit that lives by the bridge.

Evenings, as I drive home from teaching, I see the most beautiful sunsets, and need to remind myself to focus on driving.

Thursday, the 8th, was Jude's birthday and party, but I was teaching and Mike had a robotics meeting. I am grateful for the pictures shared on Facebook. (Thanks Debby!)

Friday, we were excited to go to Elijah's last elementary-school Gradnparents' Day event.
He had several roles to play with the Royerton Rockers and the fifth grade music program--he sang, played the xylophon and the guitar.

Zion's program was earlier. We were unable to go, but got to see him in action in his classroom.

We happened to peek in after he'd had an unintended incident and was sad about it. I love this little guy so much.

Then we were off to ArtPrize!
We stayed overnight with a young family of friends that live 20 minutes away from Grand Rapids.
She is the daughter of our OM friends, the Babcocks--like "family" really.

Saturday we were joined by the Bankers, another OM family from way back. We lived and worked together in Germany, Austria and Eastern Europe.

Our tour of many ArtPrize venues began at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

The entire experience merits another post, sometime this week.

That night we traveled toward Detroit to spend the night with Dennis and Donna Banker, delighted for the opportunity to see their "new" home. We'd been wanting to visit since they moved to Michigan in 2009. We loved each welcoming detail and every moment spent with our dear friends.

Sunday after breakfast we took off for home with grateful hearts for friends, fun, fellowship and gorgeaous fall weather.

Come back for more about ArtPrize sometime this week.

2015 Week 26: Part D

Saturday morning we found Aldo enjoying his CNC router.

Aldo's hobby

 At breakfast we visited with two more great nephews and niece Ana. The cousins, Brian and Jeffrey, had spent the night at Grandpa and Grandma's.They were very interested in Mike's stories from the time he built special vehicles for travel into Eastern Europe.
Niece Abigail came to pick up her son Brian. She has a high level Black Belt status and was on her way to learn from a Master.

Mike going for the dulce de leche spread. Brian and Abby (love his smile!).

We thoroughly enjoyed these leisurely mornings together, and were so privileged to be with my brother's family that weekend of special events. Saturday was great niece Savannah's open house.

Andrew, Dad and "chef";                                             Savannah, the graduate;            graduation quilt

There was quite a spread. I overheard that Andrew stayed up till 0'dark 30 cooking the various meats.

We walked over to the party next door and stayed awhile before leaving for the retirement celebration of our friends and fellow-workers in Germany and Austria many years ago--Dave and Brenda Babcock.
We met before they were married. In fact I first met them in Mexico during the Christmas crusade of 1969, just before our own wedding in January.
Later we ended up on the same team in Germany where they were married. We were witnesses at their civil wedding and I played a special piece on the organ for their church ceremony.

June 1971

When we arrived at the Greeley Wesleyan Church, a photographer was trying to gather and situate the many family members. I took advantage of the moment. (Is it really possible that everyone is looking at the camera and smiling?) Then I walked around and admired all the table decorations depicting Dave and Brenda's favorite things, which was the theme for the celebration.

Our table; one of several articles displayed; the grand surprise gift
Extended family

The children planned the event and honored their parents in wonderful ways. The family sang a song "These are a few of their favorite things" to go along with the theme.

Most of the time we mingled with friends we had not seen in eons and attempted to get caught up.

Mike initially confused Annette (Wright) with the Babcocks. Their families grew up together and have always been so close. 

And we met new friends. There were three retired teachers from the Vienna International School that the Babcock and Wright children attended, who decided to meet at the celebration and thus have their own little reunion after 25 years!
The saying "It's a small world" or "El mundo es un pañuelo" proved true once again as the teacher in lower left is from Dayton, TN, knows my cousins who live there.

After the program, the fellowship continued at the restaurant and then in Dave and Brenda's new home.

We finally pulled ourselves away after dark, but the house was still buzzing with conversation, stories and memories while the little ones slept downstairs in their sleeping bags.