Exploring ArtPrize 2025: Where to Find the BEST Art Exhibits

One of my favorite traditions of the fall season in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is experiencing ArtPrize. As an ever-evolving art festival, ArtPrize features hundreds of unique exhibits ranging from large sculptures and traditional paintings to performance art and hands-on community-created pieces. 

ArtPrize takes place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, from September 18 – October 4, 2025.

If you want to see the best of ArtPrize in one hour, I’m sharing the top art venues to make the most of your time. If you have extra time to explore more of Grand Rapids, check out my additional recommendations at the end.

Need to Know Info for ArtPrize 2025

ArtPrize Clubhouse: Located at 40 Pearl St NW, this venue serves as a central hub for ArtPrize information. Here you’ll find concierge services, official ArtPrize merchandise, and art workshops.

Floxx voting app: Hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money go to artists each year, and you can help choose the winners. For your first vote, you need to be in the ArtPrize district. Simply scan the QR code for an entry, register through the Flockx app, and vote for your favorite art. After that, you can vote from anywhere.

Where to Park for ArtPrize

While Grand Rapids has lots of metered street parking throughout the city, parking ramps are usually a sure bet to find an open spot.

Here are a couple of parking ramps very convenient to the center of downtown:

• Government Center Ramp (300 Monroe Ave NW), located just across from DeVos Place
• Louis Campau Ramp (43 Monroe Ave NW), one block from the Amway Grand
• Monroe Center Ramp (50 Ottawa Ave NW), across the street from the Grand Rapids Art Museum

See the Best of ArtPrize in One Hour

When it comes to art, what constitutes “the best” is very subjective. A more accurate title might be “See Some of the Most Popular Art Exhibits Conveniently Clustered Together in Downtown Grand Rapids in 1 Hour.” Whew, but that’s a mouthful.

3 Popular ArtPrize Venues

• DeVos Place Convention Center
• Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
• Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

DeVos Place Convention Center

303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

If you only have time to visit one venue, DeVos Place is packed with fascinating art. With towering ceilings and glass windows, the main lobby and upper halls of DeVos Place provide an ideal location to feature artwork. Notable exhibits at DeVos Place include:

• My Poem Your Topic by Endlesswill: Write down one word and Endlesswill will type out a short, original poem based on that word. Truly a one-of-a-kind experience at ArtPrize.
• One Line Morgan Freeman by Stephanie Glen Ducasse: An amazingly detailed portrait of Morgan Freeman, hand-drawn using one continuous line.
• The Forest by Robert VanderZee: A thought-provoking series of vivid paintings depicting the destructive nature of humans amidst a forest setting.

Amway Grand Plaza Hotel

187 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

With crystal chandeliers and luxurious velvet furniture, the lush interior of the Amway Grand creates a beautiful backdrop for displaying art. Notable exhibits at the Amway Grand include:

• WALK OFF by Shelley Lynn van Gilse: A bold painting inspired by the Detroit Tigers mascot and team colors.
• Nostalgia Reimagined by Dorelle H Brock: This whimsical series of iconic cartoon and movie characters reimagined in abstract paintings from 2024 is back and transformed into 3D sculpture versions. A crowd-pleaser for the young at heart!

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Note: The interior of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is temporarily unavailable during the government shutdown.

Walk along the sidewalk and fountain area outside the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum to observe interesting outdoor sculptures and exhibits. Take advantage of the free museum admission available during ArtPrize, and scope out the art displays inside as well. Some notable exhibits at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum are:

• Sailing into the Storm by John Katerberg: Underlayers of metal create a mesmerizing effect of movement when this painting is viewed in person.
• Bug Hotel by Justin LaDoux: A multi-purpose scrap metal sculpture to celebrate and serve as an actual habitat for pollinators.
• Arras by Mark Lewanski: A rainbow tapestry crafted from the most surprising material – strands of glass!
• Daydreamers by Wayne Williams: A series of vibrant portraits inspired by the Cubism style.

While you’re here at the museum, don’t miss a stroll through Ah-Nab-Awen Park along the Grand River for lovely bridge and city skyline views.

ArtPrize 2025 Winners

Note: The interior of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is temporarily unavailable during the government shutdown.

Public Vote Winners

• Grand Prize: Arras by Mark Lewanski, located at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
• 2D: The Forest by Robert VanderZee, located at DeVos Place
• 3D: Who’s Adopting Who by Andy Sacksteder, located outside of Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
• Time-Based: Robin Williams: A Living Portrait by Adam Bock, located at DeVos Place
• Installation: The Big Joyful Installation by Jax Kalin, located at Biggby Coffee
• New Media: Aqua Limina by Yiou Wang, located at Aroma Labs
• Design+: Morrigon by Blake Merkel, located at The Morton (formerly Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum)

Juried Vote Winners

• Grand Prize: Scraps – Second Vibes, by Camille Steverson and Kaitlynn Fitzpatrick, located at BioPhilia
• 2D: Innerland by Innerland, located at Hermitage at Diamond
• 3D: Persist by Cameron Stalheim, located at Sixth Street Park
• Time-Based: Women’s Work by Renee Dempsey, located at The Art of Life Studio Gallery NOW
• Installation: Verdantine Tabernacle by Melissa Webb, located at BioPhilia
• New Media: Moment by Dave Ryan, located at Western Michigan University- Resonant & Prismatic Galleries
• +Design: Manufactured Memory: Ornament, Manufacturing, and the Architecture of Touch by Austin Mitchell, Will Wang – Voldt Lab, located at SHINOLA

Visibility Awards

• 2D: Two Hundred Forty-Nine by Richard Dysard II, located at The Morton (formerly at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum)
• 2D: Operation G.R.A.M.: Grannies Raid an Art Museum by Elijah Haswell, located at the Grand Rapids Art Museum
• 3D: Sarmik; Beneath The Skin by Binhy, located at BioPhilia
• Time-Based: Reporting from the Ghost Cities of the Metaverse: Decentraland by Sub Net, located at Western Michigan University
• Installation: TZOMPANTLI Mexico en peligro de extinción by Gennaro Garcia, located at DeVos Place

Community Awards

• Asian Art Award: Installation, Portals: In Nature We Heal by Art Possible, located at Monroe Community Church
• Asian Art Award: Installation, A Soft Collapse of a Narrative by Niloufar Fallahar, located at DeVos Place
• Artista Latino Award: Installation, LA VOZ DE ME GENTE by Luis Fernandez, located at the Grand Rapids Art Museum
• Artista Latino Award: Installation, Threads of Belonging by Mari Barros, located at BioPhilia
• GRAAAMF Award: 3D, Emergence by Esan Sommersell, located at Rev Luxury Juice Bar
• GRAAAMF Award: 2D, Independent Party by Jon Harris, located at DeVos Place

Explore More in Grand Rapids

While I’ve covered some of the prime ArtPrize locations, there is still so much more to see and do in Grand Rapids! If you have additional time, I highly recommend doing one or more of the following.

1. Check out more amazing ArtPrize venues.

Head to these additional venues with stellar art:

• The Atrium at Ucello’s Downtown
• JW Marriot
• Sixth Street Park
• Monroe Community Church
• Veterans Memorial Park
• The Blue Bridge

2. Dine at one of Grand Rapids’ many fine restaurants.

Some of my personal favorites include:

• Roam by San Chez, featuring a global street menu
• Field & Fire, a sustainability-focused bakery and cafe
• Brewery Vivant for craft beers and pub fare
• Donkey Taqueria for tasty Mexican cuisine

3. Visit additional local attractions that feature ArtPrize exhibits and more.

Top local attractions worth your time:

• Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives
• Grand Rapids Art Museum
• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

4. Experience the art exhibits at night.

While most art exhibits are better viewed in the daylight, there are always a few displays that come alive in the evening.

No matter how long you have to explore, there is definitely time to see some new and exciting art pieces at ArtPrize!

See more: ArtPrize Grand Rapids 2025 | Top 10 Things to Know & Do