News Summary
ArtPrize 2025 wrapped up after 16 days of showcasing 931 entries from 1,100 artists across 155 venues in Grand Rapids. The event saw over 118,000 public votes for its awards, highlighting the growing global interest in the arts. Mark Lewanski’s ‘Arras’ won the Grand Prize, while Camille Steverson and Kaitlynn Fitzpatrick’s ‘Scraps’ took home the Juried Grand Prize. This annual event remains a pivotal platform for artistic expression and community involvement.
Grand Rapids – ArtPrize 2025 concluded on October 4, 2025, after an impressive 16-day event that drew attention from art enthusiasts worldwide. This year, the event showcased 931 entries submitted by 1,100 artists from 39 states and 18 countries, all displayed across 155 venues in downtown Grand Rapids. The competition witnessed overwhelming engagement this year, with the public casting over 118,000 votes for the prestigious Public Vote Awards.
Recognized as an international open art competition, ArtPrize has fostered dialogue and community engagement since its inception in 2009. To date, the event has awarded over $7.4 million to artists, making it a critical platform for promoting artistic excellence. This year, winners were determined through two separate award systems: the popular Public Vote and the expert Juried Awards.
Winners of the Public Vote Awards
The Grand Prize of $100,000 in the Public Vote category was awarded to “Arras,” an installation by Mark Lewanski displayed at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Lewanski’s work uniquely featured intricately woven glass, celebrated for both its luminosity and large scale. Additionally, several other artists received recognition, with each category winner receiving a $10,000 prize:
- Public Vote 2D: “The Forest” by Robert VanderZee at DeVos Place Convention Center.
- Public Vote 3D: “Who’s Adopting Who” by Andy Sacksteder at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
- Public Vote Installation: “The Big Joyful Art Installation” by Jax Kalin at Biggby Coffee.
- Public Vote Time-Based: “Robin Williams: A Living Portrait” by Adam Bock at DeVos Place Convention Center.
- Public Vote New Media: “Aqua Limina” by Yiou Wang at Aroma Labs.
- Public Vote +Design: “Morrigan” by Blake Merkel at The Morton.
Winners of the Juried Awards
The Juried Grand Prize of $100,000 was awarded to “Scraps,” a collaborative installation by artists Camille Steverson and Kaitlynn Fitzpatrick from Second Vibes, presented at BioPhilia Gallery. “Scraps” incorporated found materials and layered storytelling to delve into themes of memory and sustainability. Juried category winners also received $10,000 each for their distinguished works:
- Juried 2D: “Innerland” by Tania Scheglova Synchrodogs at Hermitage at Diamond.
- Juried 3D: “Persist” by Cameron Stalheim at Sixth Street Park.
- Juried Installation: “Verdantine Tabernacle” by Melissa Webb at BioPhilia.
- Juried Time-Based: “Women’s Work” by Renee Dempsey at The Art of Life Studio NOW Gallery.
- Juried New Media: “Moment” by Dave Ryan at Western Michigan University.
- Juried +Design: “Manufactured Memory: Ornament, Manufacturing, and the Architecture of Touch” by Voldt Labs at Shinola.
Significance of ArtPrize
ArtPrize continues to be a critical event in the art world, encouraging not only artistic expression but also community involvement and public appreciation for the arts. The competition allows global artists to reach a wide audience while fostering an environment where diverse perspectives can be explored and celebrated. Each year, the event strives to promote dialogue through art, enhancing cultural engagement in Grand Rapids and beyond.
For more detailed information on all award recipients and the showcased entries in ArtPrize 2025, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the official ArtPrize website.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: ArtPrize 2025 Winners
- Google Search: ArtPrize 2025
- Fox17: Grand Rapids Shop Wins 100K
- Wikipedia: ArtPrize
- WZZM: Mark Lewanski’s Arras Wins Grand Prize
- Encyclopedia Britannica: ArtPrize
- PR Newswire: ArtPrize 2025 Winners Announced
- Google News: ArtPrize 2025 Winners
- Little Guide Detroit: ArtPrize 2025 Event
- Wood TV: ArtPrize 2025 Grand Prize Winner
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
