GRPS Student Joshua Kortenhoven Wins Consumers Energy’s 2023 SmartArt Competition

Grand Rapids, Mich. Monday, September 18, 2023

Consumers Energy, ArtPrize, GRPS Celebrate 20 Students for Clean Energy-Themed Artwork

Leaders from Consumers Energy, ArtPrize and Grand Rapids Public Schools have announced that GRPS student Joshua Kortenhoven has won the 2023 SmartArt competition at ArtPrize with artwork titled “Green Shoes.” The SmartArt contest is an annual student art competition focused on clean energy-related subjects.

The winner’s artwork, along with the art from top finalists, is on display during ArtPrize on a large banner hanging outside the Consumers Energy electric substation downtown at Fulton Street and Market Avenue. Kortenhoven won a $2,000 scholarship courtesy of Consumers Energy.

“Consumers Energy is so proud of these students and their art that demonstrates we all can make a difference by taking small steps today,” said Cathy Wilson, Consumers Energy’s executive director of corporate giving. “Over the past decade, SmartArt participants have created works of art that inspire all of us to learn more about how we can help better protect our planet. This contest is such a wonderful opportunity for these students, and we are grateful for the partnership we have with GRPS and ArtPrize.”

“The artwork these scholars presented represented a collection of thoughtful and meaningful work about an issue that is near to their hearts and minds,” said Dr. Leadriane Roby, GRPS superintendent. “We often talk about the fact that it takes a community to support our scholars and these partners are serious about uplifting our children. To our scholars – we are proud of your work, this community is proud of you, and you should be proud of your work.”

Artwork from the finalists included mixed media, oil painting, ceramic, yarn, digital, ink, plastic, and more. They were selected from 41 entries.

The 20 finalists, along with their artwork title, grade, and high school are, in alphabetical order:

• Quinlyn Angstman, Connected, 9^th, Museum HS
• Zy'Aira Blackmon, If I Could Wear It On My Shell, 9^th, Innovation Central
• Alice Cork, A Better Future, 10^th, City HMS
• Imoni Curry, Healing, 9^th, U-Prep
• Yoselin Diaz-Deleon, Imagine, 11^th, C.A. Frost
• Jacey Doyle, Reusable Energy, 11^th, Museum HS
• Amelia Ferenczi, Military vs. Future, 9^th, Union
• Chloe Gust, Reaching for the Sun, 10^th, C.A. Frost
• A'Nyah Harris, Just Another Rainforest of the Sea, 9^th, Museum HS
• Carneiscia Harris, Power Cleaner Greener World, 11^th, Innovation Central
• Precious Herrera, Una Hermosa Bendicion, 11^th, Southwest MHS
• Emma Hoogewind, Stories, 9^th, C.A. Frost
• Clara Kirkbride, Whales, 9^th, C.A. Frost
• Joshua Kortenhoven, Green Shoes, 9^th, City HMS
• Mathew Pierce, Striped Hyena, 10^th, Ottawa Hills HS
• Azaria Powell, Mother Earth, 9^th, U-Prep
• Eliot Redwine, Biomass, 11^th, City HMS
• Rachel Sackett, The Veil, 11^th, City HMS
• Connor Thompson, Economic Greed, 9^th, Museum HS
• Josiah Willink, Sunclimbers, 11^th, City HMS

ArtPrize is an open, independently organized international art competition. It celebrates artists working in all mediums from anywhere in the world and is open to any creative with an artwork to enter and a venue willing to host it. For 18 days, art is exhibited throughout the city in public parks and museums, in galleries and vacant storefronts, in bars and on bridges. ArtPrize runs until Oct. 1.

The SmartArt competition began in 2013. This is the 10th year of the contest after being canceled in 2020 because of COVID-19.

Consumers Energy is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

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Media Contacts:

Consumers Energy: Brian Wheeler, 517-740-1545

Grand Rapids Public Schools: Leon Hendrix, 616-292-2572