ArtPrize 10 begins officially on Wednesday but many installations are already on display around Grand Rapids, including two pieces from the same family.
“ArtPrize is a chance to do an “over the top” piece that you would have any other venue to make a piece like that,” says LeRoy’s Joe Rutherford.
It’s one of the largest open art competitions in the world. Hundreds of artists have their pieces in place, including Rutherford and his wife Jennifer.
“The title of the piece ‘Imagination Unchained.’ It’s talking about the broken chain, your imagination is gone, you’re writing what you think should be done,” says Rutherford.
This is the Rutherford’s third year at ArtPrize but new to 2018 is Jennifer’s brother, For Riopelle, a life long artist himself.
“We would make family outings where we all sketch,” says Riopelle, “We have our sketchpad with us and sketched.”
The three of them live together in LeRoy, focusing on difference media, the trio work alongside each other, bouncing ideas and criticisms off each other like only a family can.
“The thing is the most artists don’t like constructive criticism but we work really well together in that way,” says Jennifer.
“It’s very nice to to not be in isolation or create in isolation,” says Riopelle, “You sort of feed off each other.”
Northern Michigan has always done well at ArtPrize, including a rare two-time winner, Ann Loveless from Frankfort. Joe, Jeff and Jennifer would like be the next to take home a prize.
“We’re definitely cheering each other on and I hope that they get a lot of votes for their piece and I hope a lot of people come to the hotel here,” says Riopelle.
“Imagination Unchained is on display in front of the Courtyard Marriott while “Up Lazy Mountain” is in the front lobby of the Holiday Inn.
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