News Summary
ArtPrize 2025 in Grand Rapids highlights unique artwork by veterans and immersive installations aimed at fostering community connections and awareness. Notable exhibits include Bette Carlson’s ‘Insects of the World,’ portraying her personal journey through homelessness and art. The Arborialis Luminarium installation offers a sensory experience, complemented by auditory elements. Aaron Russell, a veteran and stroke survivor, showcases his work that celebrates resilience. The initiative ‘Art for Honor’ connects veteran artists with the community, making this event a profound celebration of art and shared experiences.
Grand Rapids is hosting ArtPrize 2025, showcasing unique artwork from veterans and immersive installations. The event features acclaimed exhibits from local artists aimed at raising awareness and connecting the community with the experiences of veterans and artists facing challenges.
Bette Carlson, an artist who has experienced homelessness three times, is presenting her exhibit titled “Insects of the World” at Degage Ministries’ Open Door Bakery. The exhibit features her paintings of various types of praying mantises, which she has been developing over the past nine months. Carlson’s connection to the women at the bakery is deeply personal, as she empathizes with their struggles.
Community engagement director Nelson Coon recognizes Carlson’s journey and the valuable knowledge she shares about insects with visitors to her exhibit. Notably, every dollar spent at Open Door Bakery supports its mission of assisting women facing homelessness, making Carlson’s work part of a meaningful cycle of support.
Additionally, a remarkable installation called Arborialis Luminarium has been unveiled in downtown Grand Rapids for ArtPrize 2025. This 9,000-square-foot inflatable luminarium created by UK-based Architects of Air offers visitors an immersive experience focused on light and color. The installation features three colored domes surrounding a three-story central dome that filters natural daylight, designed to create a unique atmosphere free of white light.
John Owens from Architects of Air highlights the importance of the ambient sounds that accompany the luminarium, noting that they enhance the visitor experience. The soundtrack includes “Song of Danu,” composed by Dr. Michael Morris, further contributing to the sensory journey through the installation. Accessibility is an integral design element, ensuring that the luminarium is suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities.
The Arborialis Luminarium operates as a ticketed experience separate from the free, citywide art celebration, which runs until Saturday, Oct. 4, at its venue located at 555 Monroe Ave. NW.
Another significant highlight of ArtPrize 2025 is the work of Aaron Russell, a veteran and stroke survivor, who is exhibiting his art titled “God Created Therapy and Free Flying” at Veterans Memorial Park. Russell’s pieces illustrate butterflies and are part of a 56-page picture book he has created with his son. After suffering a severe stroke in 2014, which left him with blindness in one eye, motor function loss, and expressive aphasia, Russell’s recovery was deemed miraculous. His mother emphasizes the importance of support and the journey that led to his artistic endeavor.
The initiative Art for Honor connects veteran artists with the broader community, promoting understanding of their experiences and fostering connections through art. An opening day celebration for this initiative included guest speaker James “Doc” McCloughan, a Medal of Honor recipient, and featured free entertainment, crafts, and food trucks to encourage community involvement.
ArtPrize 2025 features contributions from 930 artists across 155 venues. The total prize pool for this year is $375,000, with winners determined through public voting. As the event unfolds, the combination of veteran artwork and immersive installations is designed to engage visitors and promote a greater understanding of the artists’ backgrounds and experiences.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Kent County Celebrates Local Heroes with Community Events
Weekend Events in Grand Rapids: April 25 Activities
Additional Resources
- MLive: Massive Inflatable Art Installation at ArtPrize 2025
- Wikipedia: ArtPrize
- Wood TV: Red Jeans at ArtPrize
- Google Search: ArtPrize 2025
- Fox 17: Veteran’s Journey at ArtPrize
- Google Scholar: Art and Veterans
- WZZM: Grand Rapids 175th Anniversary Poster
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Grand Rapids
- Wood TV: ArtPrize’s Largest Venue
- Google News: ArtPrize 2025
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.
