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GRPS Smart Art Finalists

Creative Floor Art by Kumaravel is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Grand Rapids Public Schools along with Consumers Energy and Art Prize announced the finalists for this year’s Smart Art competition. GRPS students were tasked with creating art entries with a renewable theme.

10 finalists have been announced for this year’s Smart Art competition. The event is a partnership between Grand Rapids Public Schools, Art Prize and Consumers energy as a way to create conversation and movement in renewable resources.

SMART ART stands for Students Making Art with a Renewable Theme. GRPS Director of Fine Arts, Maggie Malone, says it’s an opportunity that can have a lasting impact on both students and future generations.

“I think it helps students change how they see themselves. Right because we have one impression when we look in the mirror about what we’re about, but when we create opportunities like Smart Art, that changes. Now students can see themselves on a stage, on television in front of people. That’s life changing.”

Artwork of the finalists will be displayed on a large banner in downtown Grand Rapids. The overall SmartArt winner will be announced September 19 during ArtPrize at Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids, and will receive a $1,000 scholarship as well as an apple computer.