As ArtPrize bursts to life in downtown Grand Rapids, the streets will come alive with creativity, expression, and local talent. This year’s event brings not only a showcase of artistic skill but also an opportunity for the community to reconnect through shared stories and experiences.
Among the many participants, several artists from the Lowell and Ada area are set to make their mark. Their works tell powerful stories, inviting the community to reflect, reconnect, and be inspired.
Erin Reinholtz, Alto: Finding Connection Through Portraits
For Erin Reinholtz, ArtPrize is about more than showcasing her art—it’s about fostering deeper human connections. Her collection of large oil and pastel portraits, titled 10,000 Followers (Voter ID 93303), will be exhibited at the Paul Collins Gallery at Grand Rapids Community College. The series encourages viewers to make eye contact and reflect on the value of face-to-face interaction in a world increasingly dominated by screens.
“When I put out the call for portraits in April, my goal was to help people reconnect with each other,” Reinholtz explains. “We’ve become so reliant on shallow, screen-based connections, and I believe it’s essential to experience the eye contact and curiosity that come from truly seeing the person in front of you.” She used a mix of charcoal and oil paint on raw canvas, deliberately left unstretched to hang like a tapestry, enhancing the organic feel of her work.
Reinholtz, who has called Michigan home for 16 years, is deeply passionate about using art to inspire. “I want people to live more fully, to appreciate the world around them, and focus on what really matters—relationships, not power or money.” For Reinholtz, her art is as much about sparking conversation and reflection as it is about creating beauty. She hopes that ArtPrize visitors will pause, reflect on their own relationships, and consider the connections that shape their lives as they engage with her work.
To learn more about Erin, visit her website.
Bruce Doll, Lowell: Capturing Joy in the Everyday
From the introspective nature of portraits to capturing moments of serenity, local artists offer diverse perspectives. For Bruce Doll, ArtPrize is about bringing joy to others. His piece, Morning Walk (Voter ID 25141), on display at Park Church, captures a serene moment that invites viewers to step into the scene.
“I don’t think art has to make a big statement. It can just make you feel good,” Doll says. “For me, it’s about whether you want to be in that image—does it make you smile? That’s what matters.”
Doll, a longtime volunteer in the community, is entering ArtPrize for the fifth year. While he isn’t in it for the money, he loves the positive responses his art receives. “People tell me they feel like they’re in France when they look at my work,” Doll laughs. “It’s all about creating that feeling, that joy.”
David Stricklen, Ada: Life’s Journey Through Art
David Stricklen, a former Grand Rapids airport police chief turned artist, is no stranger to ArtPrize. Known for his interactive 3D reverse perspective paintings, Stricklen has been a regular at the event for six years. His latest piece, The Journey (Voter ID 10204), located at The B.O.B., explores life’s stages—schooling, career, family, and retirement—through an interactive illusion. In the piece, a couple navigates life’s mazes as the sand falls, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life. “I now have grandchildren who are starting the journey that I am now finishing,” Stricklen reflects.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” Stricklen says. “People love watching the painting move and interact with it. It’s magical for them, and it’s a lot of fun for me.”
Stricklen’s creative work has earned him recognition, including being a public vote finalist in a previous competition. His whimsical approach to art, paired with the deeper themes of life’s journey, resonates with visitors and encourages them to reflect on their own paths.
Olga Conens, Ada: Celebrating the Beauty of Motherhood
Making her ArtPrize debut this year is Olga Conens, a hearing-impaired Russian-American artist from Ada. Conens, a mother of four, has been creating art her entire life, but it wasn’t until three years ago that she discovered her passion for sculpture. Her ArtPrize entry focuses on the beauty and nature of motherhood.
“The response to my work has been overwhelmingly supportive, especially from women,” Conens shares. “They can relate to the beauty and tenderness of motherhood.”
Conens’ sculpture celebrates the nurturing power of a mother’s body and the pure, mutual love between mother and child. “I believe mothers should be revered and respected for the sacrifices they make.” For Conens, ArtPrize offers a unique opportunity to showcase her art and share her perspective on the importance of motherhood. Her entry, Nurture (Voter ID 82258), will be displayed at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids.
A Community of Artists Inspiring Connection
From Erin’s powerful portraits encouraging eye contact to Olga’s heartfelt celebration of motherhood, each of these local artists brings something unique to ArtPrize. Whether it’s Bruce’s serene landscapes or David’s interactive illusions, their works remind us of the importance of joy, connection, and reflection.
ArtPrize not only gives these artists a platform to share their talent but also offers the community a chance to come together, be inspired, and appreciate the incredible creativity right in their backyard. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in these stories—and more—by exploring this year’s ArtPrize. Each piece tells a story, and it’s up to us to dive in and discover it.
ArtPrize runs from September 13 to September 28 in downtown Grand Rapids. Voting is open to the public, so be sure to cast your vote and support local talent.
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