Swift Printing Celebrates “Sweet 16” of ArtPrize With 2026 Artist Sara Pearson
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Swift Printing is celebrating its 10th year as an ArtPrize venue by welcoming Sara Pearson, Director of the Michigan Geological Survey at Western Michigan University, as its featured artist for ArtPrize 2026.
Pearson’s work, “Bait & Switch,” is prominently displayed on Bridge Street during ArtPrize Preview Week, giving visitors an early look before the official event begins. By the start of ArtPrize, additional pieces from her collection will also be on display at Swift Printing at 404 Bridge Street NW.
ArtPrize Preview Week runs Sept. 12–17, with the full event taking place Sept. 18–Oct. 3 throughout Grand Rapids.
Pearson brings a unique perspective to this year’s ArtPrize. As Director of the Michigan Geological Survey at Western Michigan University, her professional life is rooted in geology, mapping and the natural world, and that sense of observation carries into her art in a completely different way. Her piece “Bait & Switch” is playful and clever, parodying the iconic Jaws movie poster by swapping the shark for a betta fish. It is the kind of piece that makes you stop, smirk and then look again. There is something especially fun about seeing a scientist and mapmaker use humor, pop culture and visual storytelling to create work that feels both smart and approachable.
“We’re incredibly thankful that ArtPrize connected us with Sara,” said Jessica Gutowski-Slaydon, President of Swift Printing. “Her work brings together science, creativity and curiosity in such an interesting way, and it feels like a great fit for Swift.”
Swift Printing has participated in ArtPrize since 2016 and has embraced nearly every side of the event over the years, serving as a sponsor, a venue and, at times, part of the team creating an entry as an artist.
Past Swift ArtPrize projects have included restoring the historic Red Lion vintage neon sign, sharing the history of printing, restoring an old printing press, showcasing portrait work by Walt Gutowski, sticker vendor machine, and, most recently, offering live letterpress demonstrations on Swift’s restored Gordon printing press.
The economic impact of ArtPrize reaches well beyond galleries and venues. A Grand Valley State University study of ArtPrize 2024 estimated that the event generated between $71 million and $77 million in economic output in Kent County, supported approximately 547 to 600 jobs and attracted 795,555 visitors. Primary visitor spending alone was estimated at about $50 million, including roughly $40 million from visitors coming from outside the region.
ArtPrize also says the event now welcomes more than 900,000 visitors annually and distributes more than $600,000 in prizes and grants in 2026.
“ArtPrize is time-consuming for small businesses because, if you really maximize everything you can do with it, it can almost become a part-time job,” Gutowski-Slaydon said. “But when you look at the economic boost it brings to our community, I believe it is absolutely worth supporting, even if your own business does not benefit directly. Tens of millions of dollars are moving through our local economy because people are coming here, eating here, staying here and exploring Grand Rapids.”
Gutowski-Slaydon said she is also encouraged by the direction ArtPrize is heading under its current leadership.
“Unless you follow ArtPrize closely, it can sometimes feel like there are a lot of moving pieces,” she said. “I’m excited to see the organization continue to grow and to see stronger city, county, private and public support. For ArtPrize to really flourish, I think it needs ownership from the whole community. It has to feel all-in. Still responsible with the budget, of course, but with enough wow factor that people leave saying, ‘I can’t wait to come back next year.’”
For Swift Printing, participation in ArtPrize has become part of a larger commitment to supporting creativity, culture and community in Grand Rapids.
“ArtPrize has always been about more than just what hangs on a wall,” Gutowski-Slaydon said. “It brings people into neighborhoods, introduces them to businesses they may never have visited otherwise and gives artists a platform to share their work with an enormous audience. We’re proud to play a small part in that.”
Swift Printing invites ArtPrize visitors to stop by 404 Bridge Street NW during the event to see more of Pearson’s collection and explore the company’s long-running connection between printing, art and community.
About Swift Printing
Swift Printing is a third-generation commercial printing company located on Bridge Street in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1950, Swift provides digital and offset printing, direct mail, signage, labels, envelopes, specialty finishing and other commercial printing services for businesses, municipalities, nonprofits and organizations throughout West Michigan.
