September 17, 2025

Ferris State University community bringing strong presence, exceptional creativity to ArtPrize 2025

ArtPrize 2025 kicks off this week, and the Ferris State University community is all over the latest iteration of the celebrated public art event.

More than 50 Ferris State alumni, faculty, and students are among the 930 artists whose work will be transforming downtown Grand Rapids and surrounding areas into a massively open multimedia gallery space from Sept. 18 to Oct. 4.

This year's entrants are hoping to build on the university's strong record of success in the competition. Last year, five winners of juried and public awards were alumni of Ferris State’s Kendall College of Art and Design, including $125,000 Public Grand Prize winner John Katerberg, a 2015 graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting.

Another group of Ferris State community members has been working behind the scenes of ArtPrize 2025. Students Arian Bystry, Sydney Lingenfelter, Hayley Lingo, Liv Miller, Flor Hannah Quinones, and Shalini Sunder make up the team of interns who have been helping bring the event to life since spring. 

The interns have been integral to the planning and preparation process. Working alongside ArtPrize staff, they’ve been learning firsthand what it takes to pull off every aspect of the multifaceted public event, including fundraising development, coordinating venue and artist connections, planning auxiliary events, ensuring high quality guest experiences, providing marketing and communications support, and designing branded graphics and other collateral. 

“Creativity and making are at the heart of so much of what we do not just at KCAD but throughout the University. It’s incredible to see this many Ferris community members involved in ArtPrize,” said Stephen Halko, KCAD’s interim dean. “We prepare our graduates to shape things that shape our world, and the one of the world’s largest and most radically open art competitions is no exception.”

Ferris State will also host an ArtPrize entry on its Grand Rapids campus. Two Eagles Marcus, a multidisciplinary artist known for his work at the intersection of light, reflection, and immersion will have his piece “Kalopeiron” located on Pearl St. just outside the college's Woodbridge N. Ferris Building, providing maximum exposure to ArtPrize crowds.

“Kalopeiron” transforms an 8-foot by 20-foot shipping container into a massive hexagonal kaleidoscope that invites viewers to step inside and lose themselves in a unique sensory experience. The mirrored, LED-lit structure surrounds visitors in a rhythmic field of vibrant light and sound, with color and pattern reflecting endlessly across the container’s mirrored floor, ceiling, and walls.

“I’m excited to see how people engage with Kalopeiron because it really does unfold differently for everyone,” said Michele Bosak, KCAD exhibitions director. “There are unlimited ways to experience it, even if you visit more than once. It can feel contemplative, playful, or even cosmic — depending on how long you stay and how open you are to being transformed.”

ArtPrize is organized through a community partnership between the City of Grand Rapids, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., and Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design. Apart from exploring the entries and voting for their favorites, visitors to the 2025 competition will have a chance to experience special events like a Mardi Gras-themed parade, fireworks, artist workshops, concerts, live performances, interactive exhibits and more.

Most entries will be available to view starting Thursday, September 18, and the official ArtPrize 2025 kickoff party happening in Rosa Parks Circle on Friday, September 19 starting at 6:30 p.m.