Linda Bassford is pictured with some of her art—classy Rockford postcards (available at the Squire) and a mural she created for CarStar of Rockford.
Linda Bassford is pictured with some of her art—classy Rockford postcards (available at the Squire) and a mural she created for CarStar of Rockford.
Local artist among hundreds vying for $250,000
Linda Bassford of Rockford has entered her art in ArtPrize. She’ll compete with artists from all over the world for nearly one-half million dollars in prize money, including $250,000 to the artist who receives the most public votes.
ArtPrize will run from Sept. 23 through Oct. 10 in Grand Rapids. ArtPrize will have no formal jury, curator or judge. The visiting public will register to vote and decide who wins the prizes, using mobile devices and the Internet.
Bassford plans to enter a wall mural of a Michigan landmark, the lighthouse at Grand Haven. She says the mural for Degage Ministries in Grand Rapids was created to inspire patrons of the ministry who often take trips to Grand Haven during the summer.
ArtPrize art works and performances, professional and amateur, will be exhibited at hundreds of venues, all within a three-square-mile area in Grand Rapids’ downtown riverfront district. The city has offered up parks and bridges for outdoor venue displays. Scores of businesses will convert lobbies and public space for displays. The Midwest city of nearly 200,000, and a larger metro area population of more than one million, will become an art gallery.
Grand Rapids is the home of the internationally recognized Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, which showcases one of the world’s foremost collections of modern and contemporary sculptures, including pieces from well-known artists such as Moore, Oldenberg, Goldsworthy, Plensa and many more. In 2006, the city hosted a large-scale exhibit by Tom Otterness, considered one of the premier public artists, which attracted more than 750,000 visitors. The city recently built and opened the world’s first LEED gold certified art museum.
For more information about ArtPrize, go to artprize.org.
My husband and I frequently walk/bike on the beautiful White Pine Trail through Rockford. Some bikers faithfully observe good cycling etiquette by making their presence known to walkers with a verbal warning. However, each time we walk, several bikers race by us at a high rate of speed without speaking a word or using a horn to warn us that they are coming. Perhaps an article in your paper about proper trail etiquette for both walker and bicyclers would be helpful. Signs detailing trail etiquette posted along the train would be a good idea as well. Really, someone could be seriously hurt by these inconsiderate trail users!!