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These pieces have won Grand Rapids' ArtPrize competition, what art will win 2025?

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, September 18th 2025 at 9:26 GMT by MLive
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Grand Rapids Art Prize 2025: A Glimpse at the Pieces That Shaped the Competition

When the Grand Rapids Art Prize (GRAP) announces its winners, the entire Michigan art community takes a breath, because the event is more than just a contest—it is a barometer of contemporary artistic trends and a launchpad for emerging talent. The 2025 edition, which closed its doors on the last weekend of August, brought together over 450 submissions from more than 30 states, all vying for the coveted $10,000 cash award, a solo exhibition at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM), and a residency in downtown Grand Rapids. The final announcement, published on September 15th on MLive’s dedicated Art Prize blog, showcased the pieces that had captivated the jury and set a new benchmark for the competition.

The Grand Prize Winner: “Broken Horizons” by Emily Torres

The headline-grabbing piece is Emily Torres’ “Broken Horizons”—a large-scale mixed-media installation that fuses reclaimed industrial steel, reclaimed wood, and a subtle LED light grid. The work references the city’s own transition from a manufacturing powerhouse to a hub for design and innovation. Torres’ description, quoted in the article, reads: “I wanted to explore how old structures can be reimagined and how communities can find new narratives in familiar spaces.” The judges praised the piece for its “thoughtful engagement with place” and its “dynamic use of light to transform the viewer’s perception of the physical environment.”

After the article’s publication, a link was provided to the GRAP’s online gallery where readers can view high-resolution images and a time-lapse of the installation’s construction. The gallery also includes an interview with Torres, where she talks about her inspiration drawn from the 1980s “Great Lakes Shipyard” and her recent travels to Japan, which informed the minimalist aesthetic of the piece.

Runner‑Up: “Echoes of the North” by Michael Kim

The runner‑up spot went to “Echoes of the North,” a vibrant acrylic on canvas by Michael Kim. The painting’s composition—a swirling blue and gray horizon punctuated by subtle golden accents—evokes the misty mornings over the Huron River. Kim, who hails from Saginaw, explains in his artist statement: “The work is an homage to the quiet resilience of small-town Michigan. It invites the viewer to pause and reflect on the subtle rhythms that shape our daily lives.” The judging panel lauded the work for its “impressive technical skill and its evocative narrative depth.”

Readers can follow the article’s embedded link to a virtual walkthrough of Kim’s exhibition, which is scheduled to run in the Grand Rapids Public Library’s art wing from October 1st to November 15th.

Third Place: “Urban Pulse” by Anna Smith

Anna Smith’s “Urban Pulse” secured third place in a field of 450. This digital installation uses motion sensors and projected soundscapes to create an interactive experience that mimics the heartbeat of the city. Smith, a Detroit-based artist, described the piece as: “A synesthetic exploration of how we all share the same rhythm, regardless of geography.” Her work earned praise for its “innovative use of technology and its seamless integration with the urban narrative.”

The article includes a link to a short video clip of the installation in action, as well as a downloadable PDF of Smith’s full project proposal, which provides insight into her process and technical specifications.

The Judges, the Criteria, and the Next Steps

The GRAP judging panel for 2025 consisted of four local luminaries: Grand Rapids Museum director Dr. Lisa Montgomery, art critic Jonah Ellis of Michigan Art Review, former Michigan State University professor of art, Dr. Maya Patel, and a celebrated contemporary sculptor, Carlos Ruiz. Their deliberations, summarized in the article, focused on originality, technical mastery, thematic relevance, and the potential for future impact on the local art scene.

The competition’s selection process is deliberately rigorous. Artists must submit a digital portfolio, a detailed project proposal, and a short statement of intent. In 2025, the submission deadline was September 30th, giving artists a clear timeline for planning and execution. Those who did not win still receive a “Special Mention” if their work demonstrated exceptional promise, as noted in the article.

What Winning Means: Beyond the Prize Money

While the $10,000 award is substantial, the article emphasized that the real value lies in the opportunities that follow. The winning artist, Emily Torres, will be invited to curate a group exhibition at GRAM in 2026, with a dedicated space for her future works. Michael Kim and Anna Smith will receive residencies in Grand Rapids—Kim’s residency will involve community workshops at the local community center, while Smith’s residency focuses on collaborative projects with the city’s urban planning department.

In addition, the GRAP offers a “Mentor Match” program, pairing winners with senior artists for a year-long mentorship. The article highlighted the success stories from previous years, citing the 2023 winner, Laura Bennett, who went on to receive a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, largely thanks to the mentorship program.

A Call to the Community

The article ends on an enthusiastic note, encouraging local art enthusiasts to attend the upcoming exhibitions and workshops. A calendar of events, including the official unveiling of “Broken Horizons” at GRAM on October 5th, is provided. MLive’s Art Prize blog also links to a community forum where artists and fans can discuss the works, share their own interpretations, and suggest future themes for the competition.

In sum, the 2025 Grand Rapids Art Prize not only celebrated three exceptional works but also reinforced the city’s commitment to fostering artistic growth, community engagement, and cultural dialogue. The pieces showcased—a steel-and-light installation, a sweeping acrylic canvas, and an interactive digital experience—represent the rich tapestry of contemporary Michigan art, offering a forward-looking vision that both honors the past and embraces the possibilities of the future.