By Dana Kroll, Uptown Marketing and Communications Specialist
Grand Rapids, Thursday, September 5, 2024:
In keeping with its core strategic objectives to create a community that thrives, invites, moves, and organizes, Uptown GR, Inc. announces its district’s first formal inclusion as a host of the upcoming ArtPrize competition, and extends an invitation to the public to celebrate this achievement together at an artist reception on Sunday, September 15th.
This year marks the first time in ArtPrize’s 15-year history that the boundaries of the contest have been officially expanded from downtown Grand Rapids to its neighbor to the east, which is home to four business districts and five residential neighborhoods. The endeavor to expand the competition and include Uptown has been an effort two years in the making through the collaborative work of the two organizations (ArtPrize and UGRI). It began in 2023 with an informal pilot program during last year’s event. In all, five Uptown district businesses participated as venues which hosted artists competing for the prize. The program was designed as a test with which to gauge event attendee participation as well as business and organization satisfaction. It was a resounding success. From there, ArtPrize and UGRI have worked together closely to fully roll out the participation opportunity this year to the district’s full business community, which has been overwhelmingly receptive to the advantages that the event provides. In all, 25 Uptown businesses and organizations have elected to host an artist for the event.
Says Marta Zordan, Owner of Atelier Woodways (who is among Uptown’s roster of business host venues): “Atelier Woodways is thrilled to be a part of ArtPrize as a venue, hosting a local artist’s work and contributing to this lively celebration of art and community. The timing couldn’t be better: in September, we are launching our new line of high-end Italian cabinetry, inspired by a passion for art, design, craftsmanship, and creativity. We encourage everyone to explore the extension of ArtPrize to Eastown and all it has to offer!”
Supporting Uptown through public art is a core tenet of the Uptown GR organization and to date, the organization has funded numerous mural projects throughout the district through its mural grant program, in which area businesses, property owners, and community groups can receive monetary support from the Corridor Improvement Authority of UGRI, all while enhancing the pedestrian experience through district beautification and supporting an ever-growing roster of local artists.
To celebrate this historic achievement, Uptown GR will kick off the event by hosting an Artist Reception on Sunday, September 15th, from 1 to 4 pm, at Vivant Brewery and Spirits. Guests will be able to enjoy art for sale, participate in a large-scale interactive mural, enjoy food, drinks, performances, and more. The event is free.
Says Ingrid Miller, Executive Director of Uptown GR, Inc.: “We are excited to welcome ArtPrize to Uptown and know that this event will provide our visitors with an exceptional opportunity to discover our delightfully thriving and accessible district. We feel the community will certainly agree that Uptown will make for a fun and fresh new addition to the ArtPrize institution, and we look forward to celebrating with you!”
Uptown consists of four business districts: Eastown, East Fulton, Wealthy Street, and East Hills. The district is also home to five residential neighborhoods: Baxter, East Hills, Eastown, Fulton Heights, and Midtown. In all climates, UGRI celebrates its mission: to bring together people, partnerships, and possibilities to sustain a strong and vibrant urban district through planning, coordinating, and communicating with and between all sectors of the Uptown community and beyond.
For more information about this and all things Uptown, please contact Ingrid Miller.