Award Selections Announcement
Virtual Artists Talk
Virtual Exhibit Tour
ACTion Art Exhibit at the GRAM
Summer 2021, dates TBD
Grand Rapids Art Museum will host a special exhibit of our Jurors' Choice selections from ACTion Art
2019-2021 at 101 Monroe Center St NW
ACTion Art Details
ACTion Art is an exhibit that is uniquely designed to assist adult artists with disabilities to show their art in a professional gallery format and to market and sell their work in the larger community.
Virtual Exhibit:
ACTion Art 2021 is supported by:
Wm. Drew Edgerton - "The Many Faces of Quarantine"
Cut Cardstock & Elmers Glue, 14x17"
My name is Drew Edgerton. I like to make art and crafts. I hum when I make art. My mom says I like paper punching, cutting, and gluing. During COVID, we have done a lot of art. I am 29 years old. I have done lots of art shows. I like to give people art because they like my art and that makes me happy.
The title is the Many Faces of COVID. My mom and I spent a lot of time during COVID at the kitchen counter. We spent a lot of time alone in our apartment with my dad. I missed seeing my friends at ACT, in Special Olympics, at work, and at Game Nights. These faces are the friends I missed.
My name is Drew Edgerton. I like to make art and crafts. I hum when I make art. My mom says I like paper punching, cutting, and gluing. During COVID, we have done a lot of art. I am 29 years old. I have done lots of art shows. I like to give people art because they like my art and that makes me happy.
The title is the Many Faces of COVID. My mom and I spent a lot of time during COVID at the kitchen counter. We spent a lot of time alone in our apartment with my dad. I missed seeing my friends at ACT, in Special Olympics, at work, and at Game Nights. These faces are the friends I missed.
Anton Fiscelli - "Bus Line"
Acrylic Painting on Canvas, 14x18"
Because of my many sensory and developmental issues, I was told I would never learn to write or hold a pencil. So, for a very long time, I never did. I didn't use a pencil or color. However, with many years of therapy and practice, and a soaring creative spirit, I began my artist journey. Now I am an artist. I work on my art at home and in a community art studio. I have recently been exploring abstract art, which is new to me. It is exciting and provides me with a new feeling during the art making process. Through this experimentation, I am beginning to see and experience art in new ways.
This abstract representation of the bus line portrays six transit busses throughout one city block. There are two each to the north, south, and center of the block. I used a variety of painting techniques and acrylic paint. I was able to achieve a number of color layers and textures by scraping, stamping, and brush work. I hope you can "feel" the hustle and bustle of the bus line.
Because of my many sensory and developmental issues, I was told I would never learn to write or hold a pencil. So, for a very long time, I never did. I didn't use a pencil or color. However, with many years of therapy and practice, and a soaring creative spirit, I began my artist journey. Now I am an artist. I work on my art at home and in a community art studio. I have recently been exploring abstract art, which is new to me. It is exciting and provides me with a new feeling during the art making process. Through this experimentation, I am beginning to see and experience art in new ways.
This abstract representation of the bus line portrays six transit busses throughout one city block. There are two each to the north, south, and center of the block. I used a variety of painting techniques and acrylic paint. I was able to achieve a number of color layers and textures by scraping, stamping, and brush work. I hope you can "feel" the hustle and bustle of the bus line.
Ryan Gray - "Interstate 75 Interchange Detroit"
Acrylic on Paper, 18x24"
In addition to being an artist, I also host a local radio talkshow. I like to focus both of these activities on my local communities and the greater Detroit area.
This entire piece was created using cardboard as a tool to scrape and print with acrylic paint. Interstate 75 Interchange Detroit is a busy and important location for anyone traveling to or through this great metropolitan area. In addition to the roadway itself, you will find the riverfront and park with trees to the left. You can also find an inner-city school and playground to the right. The beautiful complexity of the interchange takes center stage.
In addition to being an artist, I also host a local radio talkshow. I like to focus both of these activities on my local communities and the greater Detroit area.
This entire piece was created using cardboard as a tool to scrape and print with acrylic paint. Interstate 75 Interchange Detroit is a busy and important location for anyone traveling to or through this great metropolitan area. In addition to the roadway itself, you will find the riverfront and park with trees to the left. You can also find an inner-city school and playground to the right. The beautiful complexity of the interchange takes center stage.
Jurors' Choice Selections 2021
Christa DeHaan - "Looking for Peace Among the Pieces"
Acrylic & Paper Collage, 16x20"
After suffering from emotional and physical trauma, Christa isolated herself and retreated from life and work. She has been staying in the shelter downtown. Through art, she has reconnected with the Heartside community. Making art at the Heartside Art Studio has given her a sense of accomplishment and a healthy way to deal with her mental issues. Christa is a prolific artist and a valuable member of our art community at Heartside.
Art for me is a great help mentally and physically. It is a great way for my feelings to be expressed. My art piece is "putting back together pieces of my shattered dreams."
After suffering from emotional and physical trauma, Christa isolated herself and retreated from life and work. She has been staying in the shelter downtown. Through art, she has reconnected with the Heartside community. Making art at the Heartside Art Studio has given her a sense of accomplishment and a healthy way to deal with her mental issues. Christa is a prolific artist and a valuable member of our art community at Heartside.
Art for me is a great help mentally and physically. It is a great way for my feelings to be expressed. My art piece is "putting back together pieces of my shattered dreams."
Nerissia Lawrence - "The Rainbow Stainglass"
Acrylic, 14x11"
Hello. My name is Nerissia. I am 23 years old and I have a disability. My disability is cognitive impairment. I am an artist from Grand Rapids, MI. I am an aunt to 7. My hobbies are cooking, doing arts and crafts, baking, and playing with my nieces and nephews. I also like to shop, go to the movies, and see Christmas lights. I love animals.
When I first started at ACT, I saw stained glass art in a church and wanted to create that on canvas with paint.
Hello. My name is Nerissia. I am 23 years old and I have a disability. My disability is cognitive impairment. I am an artist from Grand Rapids, MI. I am an aunt to 7. My hobbies are cooking, doing arts and crafts, baking, and playing with my nieces and nephews. I also like to shop, go to the movies, and see Christmas lights. I love animals.
When I first started at ACT, I saw stained glass art in a church and wanted to create that on canvas with paint.
Alyssa Rainwater - "We Say It's the Apocalypse"
Oil on Canvas, Series, 3x3'
Alyssa Rainwater is a painting and illustration student at Grand Valley State University. Her paintings are used to explore personal emotions and reflect on situations in society. She is also interested in books, as she has made several autobiographical zines, and is currently working on her first book.
This is a selection from daily paintings I made when classes where moved online due to the Coronavirus. This work was a way to process what was happening in the world, and explore people within society through collaging images I have taken of myself, friends, and family.
Alyssa Rainwater is a painting and illustration student at Grand Valley State University. Her paintings are used to explore personal emotions and reflect on situations in society. She is also interested in books, as she has made several autobiographical zines, and is currently working on her first book.
This is a selection from daily paintings I made when classes where moved online due to the Coronavirus. This work was a way to process what was happening in the world, and explore people within society through collaging images I have taken of myself, friends, and family.
Katie VanOeveren - "Cows on the Beach"
Mixed Media, 16x20"
Katie is a young adult who is very active in her community and has been involved with ACT for a number of years. She enjoys being creative and fun with her art and specializes in the social aspects of the art process.
Cows on the Beach represents cows visiting the beach and having fun.
Katie is a young adult who is very active in her community and has been involved with ACT for a number of years. She enjoys being creative and fun with her art and specializes in the social aspects of the art process.
Cows on the Beach represents cows visiting the beach and having fun.
