This week we turn our focus to ArtPrize, the annual international art competition and cultural event that is held in Grand Rapids in the fall. We’ve got the scoop on all that is new and different this year, plus some of the incredible community partnerships like SmartArt, that make ArtPrize a truly unique experience. A collaboration among the City of Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. (DGRI), and Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD), ArtPrize celebrates its 14th year of bringing all sorts of art and artistic experience to the world.New to the ArtPrize scene is their executive director, Catlin Whitington, who just joined the team in March, and moved to GR from Austin, Texas. Not only do we hear about what exactly is happening with ArtPrize this year, but we also ask just what has captured Whitington’s big Texas heart in West Michigan. Our friends at Consumers Energy join us to share the story of SmartArt. This special part of ArtPrize partners Consumers Energy with Grand Rapids Public School students in a unique way. Students have the opportunity to create an individual, unique piece of art that brings new ideas about sustainable energy to the forefront and into the discussion. Joshua Paciorek, West Michigan Media Relations Specialist and Spokesman for Consumers Energy stops by to share all the details. On September 17, Consumers Energy will reveal the top twenty high school students' art entries, as well as the winner of the SmartArt scholarship at an event that the whole community is invited to at Studio Park. Following themes of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainability, you can see the student’s art on display at 40 Monroe Center St NW #105, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 through October 1.Get more information on the SmartArt Celebration here: Consumers Energy SmartArt Celebration September 17To really go “behind the mitten” on SmartArt, we also talked with Dan Van Till, Coordinator of Fine Art at Grand Rapids Public Schools. We learn why this art competition that incorporates sustainability into its very design, is both necessary and an incredible opportunity for the right art student. He shares what he loves about not just the competition, but also about the celebration that happens on September 17. Seeing families and friends come together in such a public way to honor their kids has been an incredible part of the ArtPrize experience for Van Till. We round out the show with more details on exactly how ArtPrize will work this year, from artist venues, to how to vote throughout the two weeks. Catlin Whitington joins us again with everything you want to know about how it all works, and how you can make the most of your visit to Grand Rapids for this fun event. Follow John and Amy:Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/behindthemittenTwitter at @BehindTheMittenInstagram at @BehindTheMitten

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