GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — ArtPrize— the annual international art competition in Grand Rapids— announced its 2023 winning artists Friday night.
The closing ceremony took place at Rosa Parks Circle, where ArtPrize distributed $400,000 in prizes.
All ArtPrize attendees, ages 13 and up, were able to vote on their favorite piece from the nearly 1,000 participating artists.
"ArtPrize offers a unique opportunity to unite artists from around the world and engage with the public to witness, interact and vote upon spectacular works of art. As we wrap up this exceptional year, we're setting the stage for a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire," ArtPrize Executive Director Catlin Whitington said. "The competition was fierce this year, and it was an honor to offer each of our 950 participating artists a platform in Grand Rapids to showcase their creativity throughout our beautiful city."
Organizers say more than 50,000 people voted in this year's competition.
Public Vote winners:
- First Place for $125,000: "Raining Wisdom" by Abdoulaye Conde— on display at 45 Ottawa
- Second Place for $50,000: "Tale of Ten Dresses" by Rebecca Humes— on display at JW Marriott Grand Rapids
- Third Place for $25,000: "An Iris Collection of 5" by Peggy Slattery— on display at Amway Grand Plaza
This was Conde's first time submitting a piece to ArtPrize. It's also the largest piece he's ever created. He says he's ready to give back to the people who supported him.
"I want to build a house for my mom in Africa and to continue the rest of my life with my art," Conde told FOX 17.
Conde has ties to West Michigan— his wife's family lives in the area, and they were the ones who suggested he submit his artwork to the show. Those at Friday's closing ceremony could see how shocked Conde was to hear his name announced as the first place winner.
"I can't believe this. This is wonderful, awesome. I'm so happy. I'm so happy. Thank you so much," Conde said.
Meanwhile, a hand-picked committee evaluated the Juried Competition, which honors artists who exemplify excellence in their respective mediums.
The committee members are Jonathan Levine, Josh Solas, Coka Trevino, Briana Yarhouse and Rachel Winter.
The first place winner of each category was awarded $20,000.
Juried Competition winners:
- 2D: "Mandy with Orchid" by Stephen Brennan— on display at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
- 3D: "The Lost Mystics" by Kumkum Fernando— on display at ArtPrize ClubHouse
- Digital: "Body-oddy-oddy-oddy: Destabilizing the Surveilling of Queer Bodies” by Eric Souther and Benjamin Rosenthal— on display at ArtPrize ClubHouse
- Time-Based: "The Future is a Constant Wake" by Aryel Jackson— on display at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University
- Installation: A tie between "The Art of Disruption" by DisArt and "The Zone of Authenticity" by Whitney Pyles (Each artist will be awarded $10,000.)
New to the 2023 competition, ArtPrize introduced the Visibility Awards to support contemporary artists from underrepresented communities.
Presented by MillerKnoll, each honoree was awarded $15,000.
Visibility Award winners:
- Crossroads Award for Contemporary Asian Artists: "Isa(Moving)" by Minyoung Kwak— on display at Monroe Community Church
- Horizontes Award for Contemporary Latino Artists: "Caminantes / Wayfarers" by Salvador Jimenez-Flores— on display at ArtPrize Oasis
- Originators Award for Contemporary Indigenous Artists: "SERENITY" by Juan Pimentel— presented by Gun Lake Casino and Gun Lake Investments, on display at Harmony Brewing Company
- Prism Award for Contemporary Queer Artists: "Technophobia" by Christopher Shields— on display at The Morton
- Vangaurd Award for Contemporary Black Artists: "#NoMoreStolenSist(a)s" by Maya James— presented by LMCU, on display at Zabház
ArtPrize wraps up Sunday, October 1.
Meanwhile, festival organizers and city leaders are already looking ahead to next year.
"So, next year is so exciting that it is the 15th year anniversary," Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said. "We are already thinking about how to make it special. Are there pieces that people love that we can bring back and do a look-back but while looking forward?"
