ArtPrize 7
ArtPrize 7 @ Swift
My job is so fun! Sure, I have to do day-to-day operations, but my favorite part of the job is connecting with people. And every now and again I get the opportunity to really emerge Swift in a community relations project and in this moment, it’s ArtPrize 7.
This is our first year as an ArtPrize Venue and so far it has been a blast. Working with the Artists and hearing everyone’s how they got “here” is really special to me. It is so cliche (I know) but I just love it.
Our office theme this year is nature and all eight of the artists’ work connects to that in some capacity.
One of the artists husbands came to put up his wife’s work before headed up to Ludington, MI to go Salmon fishing. He was telling me stories about he and his father’s fishing adventures, his wife and him going on trespassing photoshoots and how the two of them came to meet. If I wasn’t on the clock, I could have listened to his wisdom for hours.
And then there’s another artist who had their dad come hang their work up because they were out of town for training. I mean it is awesome for me to see how great a support team everyone has.
Of course I have to mention my brother Walter, who inspired us to be a venue for 2015. He’s normally an ear artist, Pianist, but he put his photography skills to use for this project.
But my favorite story so far is Bill’s.
Bill Randall came to install his art piece yesterday and he was happily assisted by his wife, daughter and son-in-law to hang his three-piece, 2-dimensional image in Swift’s storefront window.
Bill has always been a big fan of Art Prize.
“I’ve visited it many times,” Bill said, “but I figure if I’m ever going to do it, I needed to submit a piece this year – I turn 87 in November.”
I was frustrated working on another project and when he peeked in my office and said those words, I immediately lit up. Growing old is a privilege and I just think how cool it is that he crossed that item off the bucket list. And what a kind family he has to come and take their afternoon to hang his masterpiece for him.
Pictured is Bill and his family.
Here is a list of all our Artists:
Taste and See, Light in Darkness by Edna Van Wyk
Let Nature Sing by William Randall
Do not Litter by (Swift’s very own) Walt Gutowski
Ocean Installment by Kenny Urena
The Last Buffalo by Chad Zentz
Eye by Elaine Shaw
Fish Tail Portraits by Rashelle Roos
All are already on display beside’s the third Fish Tail is late swimming up stream and will be present Saturday.
For more information, please contact Jessica Slaydon at jes@swiftprinting.com.
