The Red Ball Project inside The JW Marriott

It's quite astonishing to see a giant 15 ft. red ball anywhere, but inside a hotel lobby definitely makes it a surreal experience. The JW Marriott hosted The Red Ball Project last Friday, September 25, as one of its pit stop in the inaugural year of ArtPrize. The brains behind the Red Ball Project, New York artist Kurt Perschke, was on hand to help introduce the giant Red Ball to the fans of ArtPrize. But it was equally entertaining to witness unsuspecting hotel guest's faces upon being greeted by the Red Ball after checking in. Thank you Kurt Perschke for adding another creative dimension to the JW. Next year, we will figure out a way to suspend it from the 23-story glass atrium.

JW's Artprize Vintage Poster designed by artist Matt Maniscalco

Mixology Lounge Party

Welcome to the JW!

The Red Bowl

Margaux Aquino, Ashley Chuba and

Francesca Aquino with Red Ball Creator,

Kurt Perschke

City Vignette: Grand Rapids ArtPrize Weekend

Top to bottom: Red Ball Project Case at UICA, vintage moped,

Red Ball and DJ in Mixology Lounge, Eames chair on Division St.,

jdek by day, jdek by night, Tommy Allen's Kissing Booth,

giant fish at San Chez, happening bar at the JW Marriott.

Top to bottom: Pearl and Monroe, biker on Division and Fulton,

ceiling art, flyer.

A Moment in Life Worth Stopping For

After experiencing the largest crowd ever gathered in downtown Grand Rapids for ArtPrize this afternoon, my wife and I noticed this small gathering of passerby's on Wealthy street just east of Diamond on our way home. I turned the car around because this is just one of those moments in life worth stopping for.

An African-American mother and her three children were walking on Wealthy street when they decided to take a seat for the outdoor concert. Several artsy-cafe types were also gathered for the free concert by Grand Rapids acoustic artist, Kate Pillsbury. A huge 7-Eleven sign and a free standing door with a mannequin peering through the opening served as the musician's backdrop. I couldn't help but laugh when I noticed the two old-school salon chairs included in this hodgepodge of seating pieces in the furniture city.

Now, this is what I call art at its purest form. A young artist singing in front of a small group of friends and strangers in a makeshift alleyway amphitheater, just steps from the center of the world's largest art prize competition. And you know what, Kate Pillsbury actually sounded pretty good.

Kate, you get my "thumbs up" vote!

Salt & Earth

I saw Young Kim's work when the Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts (UICA) of Grand Rapids featured works of Asian artists about a year ago. I thought it was just photographic portrait displayed on the museum floor for a different viewing perspective. As I got closer, I noticed smudges on some of the portraits; finally realizing that these portraits are actually made of granulated salt and powder earth!

Young Kim's entry to this year's ArtPrize is entitled Salt & Earth. He transformed the portraits of a diverse group of Grand Rapidians into a powerful on site installation definitely worth one's attention. Salt & Earth is a "meditation on time, memory and state of human condition." This buddhist-like inspiration will be swept off the floor at the conclusion of ArtPrize. 

This is truly one of my favorite works in this year's ArtPrize. 

Check out Brian Kelly's video post of Young Kim's Salt & Earth piece on his blog.

The Red Ball Project

Kurt Perschke's Red Ball Project is at the JW Marriott this evening. Come see it installed on the jdek while sipping on a martini.  It's another fun night at the JW during ArtPrize.

Grizwallda for ArtPrize

Here's another one of my favorite ArtPrize entries displayed at the JW Marriott. It's an 8-foot tall steel sculpture entitled Grizwallda by Grand Rapids artist, Bob Wardlow. You're just going to have to ask Bob about Grizwallda at the JW Meet the Artist reception on Thursday, September 24, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the JW Marriott.

Up Vote for Grizwallda is # 34871.

The American Barn by Jennifer O'Meara

Here's a must see ArtPrize entry inside the JW Marriott by Colorado artist Jennifer O'Meara.  She meticulously transformed this photograph of an old barn in Kansas using a combination of digital photography and painting. A very stunning piece and definitely one of my favorites so far.

Join Jennifer and the other eight artists at the JW on Thursday evening from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM for a Meet the Artist Reception.

Up Vote for Jennifer O'Meara's work is #26001.

Artprize Has Finally Arrived in Grand Rapids

The inaugural ArtPrize is finally here and the energy in GR is electrifying. The creators of the Nessie Project (an 80 ft. floating Loch Ness monster on the river) hosted a wall-to-wall preview reception on the jdek last evening which set the tone for today's opening day. With over 1,200 artists representing 44 states and 24 countries - this ArtPrize has already surpassed everyone's expectations.

Above is the beautiful "vintage" travel poster GR artist, Matt Maniscalco, created for the JW Marriott. Stop by the JW and view the works of the ten artists the hotel is hosting during ArtPrize. Have a glass of champagne and admire the other art entries on the Grand River from our jdek. Enjoy dinner at six.one.six restaurant and savor the produce grown from local farmers and our very own chef's garden (which happens to have Vote with your Fork campaign's ArtPrize 18 ft. steel fork perched above its plot).

The Black and White Party

Grand Rapids' Social Dragon, Jimmy Le, hosted quite a 30th birthday bash last evening. Jimmy chose three of the coolest places in GR for his venues. A private dinner and reception started at Activesite complete with a deejay, Thai food, a Vodka Bar and interactive art. The group of about hundred fifty guests then walked to the swanky Mixology Lounge at the JW for the public party where another fifty or so guests joined the entourage. Todd Ernst entertained the party with his ultra lounge music in Mixology. At midnight, the party continued at Eve Lounge at the B.O.B. for dancing and more libations.

It was a show of force for GR's young social set (I was probably the oldest guy in the group!). Jimmy Le  showed up in his white dinner jacket while the ladies strutted in their sexy black and white cocktail dresses. Grand Rapids Social Diary, Rapid Growth Media and other online media covered the event.

Be on the lookout for more of these social gatherings in the JW in the very near future. Happy Birthday, Jimmy!

A Totally Mega 80's Night

I took the New York City planners of Velocity to Mega 80's at the Intersection Bar in downtown GR. Talk about a fantastic time to relive your preppy and big hair days. Mega 80's band is composed of five guys who sing and perform all your 80's fave music almost to a tee. It's like going to a concert where all the songs are performed by the original artist. That's how good they are. They perform New Order's Blue Monday and Bizarre Love Triangle exactly like New Order. Their Lost Hits of the 80's and Big Hair sets are the crowd favorites. Mega 80's perform at least once a month. So schedule your next trip to GR when the band is in town. It's going to be a totally knarly time!

Park(ing) Day in GR

It was Park(ing) Day in Grand Rapids as dozens of metered parking spaces were converted into "little parks." I took a stroll during my lunch on Friday to check out some of the creative venues around the city. Park(ers) were handing out drinks, brochures as the public walk past their spots. The girls from the JW's creative agency, Plenty Creative, parked a boat on their spot! I must say that I thought this event was a great way to promote the parks. The event is hosted by the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and Green Grand Rapids.

An Giant ArtPrize Preview on the Grand River

Two Artprize installations went up on the Grand River this past week - setting the stage for the commencement of the event on September 23. Grand Rapids is buzzing with excitement as over 1200 artists will converge in West Michigan to claim the top ten spots with prize money. Venues are throwing all kinds of parties and artist receptions during the two week event.

The first of the parties in the JW is going to happen on Tuesday as Nessie the giant loch ness monster is unveiled in the Grand River. The Nessie Launch Party event starts at 5PM on the jdek.

The JW is also hosting a Meet The Artist reception on Thursday, September 24, to showcase the work of the 11 artists displaying their work in the JW. A Vegetarian Farm Dinner will follow the reception at six.one.six restaurant. Sous chef Joel Wabeke has created a wonderful vegetarian menu using Trillium Haven Farm produce and wines from Brys Estate Winery.

The JW's Absolut Friday's is also set for the 25th with Absolut models and drink specials all night in Mixology Lounge and the jdek.

On Saturday, the hotel is hosting the Red Ball to celebrate the placement of the giant Red Ball inside the Mixology Lounge. This giant 15 ft. red ball is going to be quite a sight inside the lobby of the hotel!

On Sunday, Local Libations and Savorytinis event is being hosted by the Vote With Your Fork group on the jdek. Enjoy Michigan Peach Bellinis and enjoy the wonderful views of the Grand River art installations on the jdek.

This is just for the first weekend! Hundreds of other events are happening during the opening week of ArtPrize. It is definitely going to a great time to visit West Michigan and the JW.

The Furniture City and Grand Dance sculptures as viewed on the jdek and JW helipad