Consumers Energy, Grand Rapids Public Schools Name 20 Finalists in 11th Annual Student ArtPrize Competition

Grand Rapids, Mich. Thursday, May 16, 2024

Overall Winner to be Announced During ArtPrize on Sept. 15

Twenty Grand Rapids Public Schools students have been selected as finalists in an annual art competition focused on clean energy-related subjects. The SmartArt (Students Making Art with a Renewable Theme) will be on display this fall during ArtPrize through collaboration with Grand Rapids Public Schools and Consumers Energy.

The 20 finalists were selected by a panel of art professionals from Cultivate, Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University. Submitted artwork included mixed media, oil painting, ceramic, yarn, digital, ink, plastic, and more.

“We’re excited to celebrate the 11^th annual Consumers Energy SmartArt contest, and this year’s work is nothing short of incredible,” said Cathy Wilson, Consumers Energy’s Executive Director of Corporate Giving. “These students have embodied the mission of learning about important clean energy topics by creating inspirational and thought-provoking artwork. Not only are their pieces beautiful works of art, these young leaders have displayed a deep understanding of why it’s important to protect our planet. We are so proud of these 20 amazing finalists and everyone who submitted an entry.”

The 20 finalists are, in alphabetical order:

• Samya Alford, 9^th grade, Innovation Central High School
• Keyla Arcos-Lopez, 9^th grade, Museum High School
• Emily Barrios, 11^th grade, Southwest Middle High School
• Ingrid Bott, 9^th grade, City High Middle School
• Angie Cifuentes, 9^th grade, Museum
• Jack de Graaf, 11^th grade, City
• Nusra Juma, 10^th grade, Ottawa Hills High School
• Jana Kalumbula, 10^th grade, City
• KenZie Low, 10^th grade, City
• Jelany Maldonado-Marroquin, 11^th grade, Union High
• Alanna Miles, 10^th grade, Union
• Lizeth Nunez, 10^th grade, City
• Jakelin Parada, 10^th grade, Southwest
• Yarlin Reyes De la Cruz, 9^th grade, Southwest
• Lily Salacina, 9^th grade, CA Frost Middle High School
• Barbie Sanders, 9^th grade, Southwest
• Lux Schmitz, 9^th grade, CA Frost
• Aeris Tuma, 9^th grade, City
• Rory VanderPloeg, 10^th grade, City
• Juana Zacarias, 10^th grade, Southwest

The top winner will be announced Sept. 15 in downtown Grand Rapids during ArtPrize and will receive a scholarship courtesy of Consumers Energy. Additional details will be available soon.

ArtPrize, the top 10 SmartArt entries will be on a large banner hanging outside a Consumers Energy electric substation downtown at Fulton Street and Market Avenue.

"GRPS is committed to helping to cultivate the next generation of artists," said Dr. Leadriane Roby, superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools. "Through our partnership with Consumers Energy and ArtPrize, our talented scholars have the opportunity to share their passion for improving our planet. I'm excited to see their work displayed during one of the largest art competitions in the world."

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 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 will run Sept. 13-28, 2024.

Consumers Energy is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 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: Luke Stier, 616-318-7206

ArtPrize: Mark Osgerby, mark@artprize.org