ArtPrize HUB
The ArtPrize HUB, located at 41 Sheldon Blvd., will be open to the public from Wednesday, September 24 to Friday, October 12.
Hours:
Monday through Saturday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
With more than 150 venues and 1,500 artists participating, the ArtPrize HUB is the starting point for the public’s ArtPrize 2014 experience. The HUB, located at 41 Sheldon Blvd., will host a grand opening on Saturday, September 20, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The public will be able to register to vote and preview the resources that will be available when ArtPrize begins on Wednesday, September 24. Donuts and cider will be provided by Sietsema Orchards.
“[The HUB is] a place for people to figure out ‘How do I ArtPrize?’" says Dave Boer, ArtPrize director of operations. “So really giving them that chance to not look at the totality of ArtPrize but to be able to figure out what they want their ArtPrize experience to be and then help cater to that experience.”
Visitors can get help from volunteers, register to vote and purchase ArtPrize merchandise. This year the HUB features a large-scale map for volunteers to show visitors various paths that are ideal for walking or biking through Grand Rapids.
“We’ve spent a lot of time thinking, ‘How do we create an environment that is walkable, rideable – or what kind of transportation services can we provide?” says Boer. “We’re never going to be able to change the realities of geography but I think trying to create opportunities for people to see clusters is really great.”
Volunteers will be available to help people register to vote for ArtPrize during the HUB’s grand opening. A valid government issued ID will be needed for registration. Volunteers can also help guide visitors through the voting process, which can be done through the ArtPrize website, the ArtPrize mobile app or through text message.
HUB visitors can see ArtPrize 2012 winning entry “Elephants,” a graphite drawing by Adonna Khare, and ArtPrize 2013 winning entry “Sleeping Bear Dune Lakeshore,” a multi-panel quilt by Ann Loveless.
A pop up park outside of the HUB will provide a green space on the west side of Sheldon Boulevard for the public to interact, play games and attend Story Time during ArtPrize.
“We try to spend the whole year working up to this event, so when it happens it’s fun just to see people talking about art,” says Boer. “We get so many different types of people [at the HUB]. There’s so much excitement around people being curious about art.”
The HUB will be open to the public during ArtPrize on Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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