Grand Rapids Art Prize 2011

I have to hand it to Grand Rapids. The city has my beloved Ann Arbor beat when it comes to public art with its annual Art Prize event. More than 1,500 artists from across the United States and 39 other countries competed earlier this month. More than 382,000 votes were cast by those who visited. Organizers estimated about 500,000 people attended. An artist originally from Iron Mountain in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Mia Tavonatti, took home the $250,000 top prize for her piece titled “Crucifixion."