ArtPrize celebrates it’s fourth year of bringing throngs of people to enjoy inspiring works from artists all over the world in galleries, store fronts and out on the streets of downtown Grand Rapids. With over $500,000 in prizes and winners judged [...]]]> View Picture Gallery Here 
 Photos by Doug Coombe

ArtPrize celebrates it’s fourth year of bringing throngs of people to enjoy inspiring works from artists all over the world in galleries, store fronts and out on the streets of downtown Grand Rapids. With over $500,000 in prizes and winners judged by the public ArtPrize attracts an impressive and inspiring mix of great works in a wide array of media.

The vast majority of the works are downtown which encourages competition visitors to walk around and rediscover Grand Rapid’s on foot (there’s also plenty of shuttle buses).  You’re just as likely to discover great works in traditional galleries like the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the UICA as you are likely to stumble across something beautiful in a bar, a bookstore or out in the street. And even on a weekday you’re going to find downtown teaming with people and plenty of helpful volunteers to guide you around and suggest great spots to check out.  If you’re planning on visiting give yourself a whole day, there’s an unbelievable amount of outstanding art to check out.

‘Jide was born in the United States but spent his youth in the West African country of Nigeria. He earned a Bachelors of Fine Art degree (painting major) from the University of Ife at Ile-Ife, [...]]]> www.jideaje.com
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Like many artists ‘Jide is struggling to make ends meet.

‘Jide was born in the United States but spent his youth in the West African country of Nigeria. He earned a Bachelors of Fine Art degree (painting major) from the University of Ife at Ile-Ife, Nigeria before returning to the U.S in 1989 to pursue a career in the creative design field.

From 2000 through 2007, ‘Jide was employed in the auto industry doing Computer Aided Design and clay modeling work. Like many specialists in the automobile industry, he was laid off in the economic downturn. Unemployment provided the opportunity for ‘Jide to commit to a full-time painting practice. He produced more work and promoted his art through networking and gallery shows. ‘Jide has a strong following and his work is in private and corporate collections.

‘Jide’s paintings are influenced by his life in West Africa. “My work is inspired by a wide variety of themes and influences. I use African iconography, especially West African decorative motifs, as the jumping off point. Sometimes I incorporate traditional color schemes as well. Working from the viewpoint that culture is dynamic, I attempt to rework the symbols to fit a modern context.”

Laid off almost two years ago after 40 years with the same company, he is now supplementing his unemployment income by selling [...]]]> Larry Zdeb has made art for many years, but his creative work took a back seat to his full-time employment. Lately, he has had a lot more time to devote to his art.

Laid off almost two years ago after 40 years with the same company, he is now supplementing his unemployment income by selling his art work. Larry’s sculptural and painted pieces have been accepted into many local and regional competitions and he exhibits his work in galleries in Birmingham, Royal Oak and Northville.

He has also learned a lot about how to market his art. “For an artist like me it is important to create and promote your art to augment income. Artists must take a chance, get courageous, approach galleries and enter shows. Even though the economy is slow, being in so many galleries translates into sales.”

Larry has given many talks about promoting the artist’s work. “I was invited by the Troy Arts Council last year to speak to artists about promoting their work. I spoke about my experiences with artist friends, local and national galleries, networking, and online art galleries, as well as getting publicity for your work.”

Larry Zdeb Facebook

The collective was started in 2006 by Christopher Schneider.

The group’s mission is to allow artists to pool their energies and resources, challenge each other artistically, and reach [...]]]> View Picture Gallery Here
Hatch is a collective of artists – painters, musicians, cartoonists, poets, graphic designers, and photographers – based in Hamtramck, Michigan.

The collective was started in 2006 by Christopher Schneider.

The group’s mission is to allow artists to pool their energies and resources, challenge each other artistically, and reach out to the greater community.

In February 2008, Hatch purchased the old police station building from the City of Hamtramck for $1.00. Now, Hatch members are in the process of converting the building into spaces for an art gallery, 10 to 12 artists’ studios, educational workshops, and a retail facility. Hatch members have raised the funds for this adaptive reuse through donations and fund raising events.

With more than 50 members, Hatch is very active in the community, participating in the People’s Art Festival at the Russell Industrial Complex, Art Detroit Now, Dally in the Alley in Detroit’s Cass Corridor, the Shadow Art Fair in Ypsilanti, the Detroit Urban Craft Fair, the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival, Hamtramck International Bazaar, and numerous musical events.

In early 2009, James Marks was looking for a larger building to house his t-shirt and flat screen printing company, VG Kids, which had outgrown several smaller spaces in downtown Ypsilanti since James launched the business in 2000. He looked [...]]]> View Picture Gallery Here
by Doug Aikenhead, Michigan Radio Picture Project – 8/4/11

In early 2009, James Marks was looking for a larger building to house his t-shirt and flat screen printing company, VG Kids, which had outgrown several smaller spaces in downtown Ypsilanti since James launched the business in 2000. He looked at a two-story brick building on Railroad Street that had plenty of space, but was divided into dozens of small rooms, not appropriate for VG Kids’ production work, but perfect for artists’ studios.

James Marks is no stranger to business opportunities and challenges. He built VG Kids from a small operation into a substantial enterprise employing 14 people, designing and printing up to 250 t-shirts per hour at full production. Over the next couple of months, James worked with commercial realtor Bill Milliken to negotiate an agreement with the owner of the vacant building.

“The building sat empty for eight years. That makes a property owner a little more willing to listen to unconventional ideas,” James said. “This owner has a certain kind of benevolence and wants to bring good things into the world, and that was a big factor . . . equal parts of his sense of adventure and a down economy creating an opportunity. He’s a good guy and a great businessman.”

James recognized that there weren’t any comparable studio opportunities in Ypsilanti or Ann Arbor. The owner agreed to lease the building to SPUR Studios on a percentage-of-rents basis, and James introduced the idea to artists at the Shadow Art Fair in Ypsilanti in July, 2009 with a public meeting and announcement shortly after that. The demand was immediate and the building was 100 percent occupied within six months.

The building has 33 studios on two floors, with artists occupying the second floor spaces and musicians in the first floor studios. Studio rents start at $200 per month for small spaces and range up to $350 and $400 per month for the largest rooms. James employs two part-time managers to collect rents, keep the building clean, and make sure that everyone abides by the lease conditions. “The managers are great, stand-up guys, the perfect bridge between art and business,” James notes.

SPUR Studios is “the craziest thing I’ve ever done, but it has worked so well,” according to James. So well, in fact, that he is negotiating with the building owner toward opening a second SPUR Studios location, and James already has a waiting list. Interested artists and musicians can contact him at spurstudios.com.