Five artists will vie for the top spot in the 2018 MI Great Artist online competition and a share of more than $16,000 in cash and prizes.
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson on Tuesday announced the finalists.
"These are supremely talented artists," Patterson said. "The passion for their craft is clearly demonstrated in their work. I encourage everyone to go to Park West Gallery and see these beautiful works in person."
The finalists listed alphabetically are:
- Thomas Bos, photography White Lake Township
- William Brody, acrylic paint Holly
- Kim Frank Fujiwara, oil paint Rochester Hills
- Robert J. Tyrrell, oil paint Grosse Pointe Farms
- Genevieve Van Zandt, porcelain Brighton
Bos received the most votes in the online competition and was named People's Choice winner, which automatically placed him in the finals. He also receives $750 as the People's Choice.
Patterson and Albert Scaglione, founder and CEO of Park West Gallery in Southfield, launched the contest in 2012 as a quality of life initiative to identify and support up-and-coming artists. They will announce the winner during an Oct. 23 reception at Park West. It begins at 5:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The work of the five finalists will be on display at the gallery from Oct. 23 to 30.
The finalists were among 209 artists from Genesee, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Shiawassee and Wayne counties who entered the online competition in September.
After more than 27,000 votes were cast, the field of 209 artists was reduced to the top 35 and presented to the judges: Scaglione; Charles Boike, an artist, lawyer and 2012 MI Great Artist finalist; Barbara Heller, director and conservator special projects for the Detroit Institute of Arts; Dominic Pangborn, founder of Pangborn Design Collection and a former professor at the College of Creative Studies; artist and sculptor Don Tocco; and Kristie Everett Zamora, coordinator of arts and culture for Oakland County's Department of Economic Development & Community Affairs.
The MI Great Artist winner will receive a $1,500 cash prize; five submitted artworks framed by Park West Gallery; a group exhibition at Park West Oct. 23 Oct. 30, with an award ceremony and reception; a scholarship to attend three Business Basics workshops at the Oakland County One Stop Shop Business Center; a one-hour consultation with an Oakland County business development representative; their artwork featured on a poster to promote one of Oakland County's signature quality of life events; a solo exhibition at Park West; and a two-month solo exhibition at the Oakland County Galleria in the Executive Office Building in Waterford.
Four runners-up will each receive a $375 cash prize and other services. MI Great Artist partners include Oakland County, Park West Gallery, AdvantageOakland.com and Oakland County Prosper® magazine.
Published: Thu, Sep 20, 2018
