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Ran Ortner Discusses "Open Water no. 24" Friday Nights at the GRAM

14 January 2010 ~ Downtown ~ Grand Rapids Art Museum ~ Grand Rapids - Photography by: Tim Motley

The Grand Rapids Art Museum invited 2009 ArtPrize winner, Ran Ortner, to Grand Rapids to talk about his 6-foot tall, 19-foot wide painting "Open Water no. 24".

Once again, the Grand Rapids community packed the room for a question. Ortner spoke first in the museum's Cook Auditorium and then moved to the galleries for a question-and-answer session in front of painting. A reception followed.

Celeste Adams, the museum's director, was excited to have Ortner as one of the first guest speakers to help kick off the museum 100th anniversary celebration.

Friday Nights at GRAM will continue to celebrate the Centennial by introducing GRAM Conversations: 100 Years of Inspired Art Dialogue.

On January 29: David Lubbers and the Grand Dance Team. The February Conversation: Theater Calling all playwrights to the Art Museum for the month of February.

February 5: Considering Calder, short plays and essays by GRAM Theater Group, playwright Randy Wyatt, writer Tommy Allen, and arts organizer Fred Bivins celebrating the new exhibition Calder Jewelry and GR's connection to the artist (Part of "Party of the Century").

February 12: The Art Plays, site-specific (performed in galleries) short plays written by local playwrights based on favorite artwork choices by GRAM guests randomly selected the week before. February 19: Works in Progress, excerpt readings of plays from Stephanie Sandberg, Austin Bunn and others.

February 26: Panel: Theater in Grand Rapids. Founders and managing directors of local theater -- from Actors' to Super Happy Funtime -- participate in a panel discussion about the state of theater in our community today and where it might be heading. Moderated by Shelley Irwin, WGVU Radio.

Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) has a mission to provide a place where community of all ages and backgrounds can enrich their lives through interaction with works of art in a thought-provoking and creative way. Located in the center of downtown Grand Rapids, the new art museum is internationally known for its unique design and LEED Gold certified status.

Established in 1910 as the Grand Rapids Art Association, the GRAM has grown to include more than 5,000 works of art. It truly expresses the city's reputation of being a leading center of design and manufacturing, GRAM has a growing collection in the area of design and modern craft.

For more information on what's going on at the GRAM visit www.artmuseumgr.org.