I was thrilled to participate in ArtPrize 2023 where I created an interactive paint-by-number canvas, called Paint the Calder, that was painted by over 1,500 random attendees! The 6' x 12' canvas depicts the well-known sculpture "La Grande Vitesse" by Alexander Calder. The project was an homage not only to the sculpture that is so visible in downtown Grand Rapids, but also to my memories of doing paint-by-numbers as a child, combined with wanting to create a truly unique interactive art experience for the event.
To say it was a success is an understatement! Not only did the project finish in the Top 25, I was interviewed on both Fox 17 television and WGVU radio about it. Participation was incredible and the painting was finished ahead of schedule due to enthusiastic participants who lined up to each paint a 2" x 3" shape.
The final painting is a vibrant depiction of the Calder sculpture and bears the patchwork markings of all who painted it. Numbers and shapes of the paint-by-number areas are still visible. As a final touch, I added Calder's initials and year he finished his project, which are visible on the actual sculpture.
As a companion piece, I created a poster (shown below) with the faces of nearly all 1,500+ people who participated. The poster serves as an amazing testimony of those who enjoyed a few moments of painting within the lines.
The final painting! We designated a specific number of spots available each day/session so that we could spread the fun across the first two weeks of ArtPrize.
Before/after conceptual images I made based on my drawings and plans.
A busy afternoon of building the frame and projecting/tracing my design on to the canvas. Thank you GR Civic Theatre for providing space for me to build it!
Transporting the numbered canvas on a dolly from the theatre down several city blocks to the Hyatt Hotel.
"I Painted the Calder" stickers were given out to all participants and proved to be quite a popular souvenir.
Next to the canvas, I displayed a panel I made about Alexander Calder which included facts about La Grande Vitesse and examples of some of his other works from around the country.
The painting made a return visit as a part of the 2024 ArtPrize, and was displayed in the beautiful Amway Grand Hotel lobby in downtown Grand Rapids. This allowed those who participated to see the final results and for the public to learn the full story about the project.