How do you attract quality artists from all over the world to a competition that didn’t have a curator and would choose its winners by public vote - a vote that had to be cast online or through mobile devices? To boot, the location is a city with a low art profile. Throw in one more communication challenge: matching completely unique artists with public and private venues to display the art. Now you have the rabidly successful ArtPrize.

At the beginning of this rather daring experiment, the idea was to attract 300 artists without being ignored or ridiculed by artists and art schools. The traditional art world had plenty of naysayers who wanted to doom the event and its value based on the lack of a curator and the use of an on-line public vote. With all of these doubts looming, why would any organization stick its neck out and invest as a sponsor of the event.

The ArtPrize and Seyferth and Associates teams continued to explain and promote the event consistently and patiently through more than six months. In the end, 1,262 artists from 15 countries and 41 states matched up with 159 venues to show their artworks and more than 37,000 voters cast more than 334,000 votes for the artworks of their choice.

On Tuesday, March 23, come hear Michael Zalewski, Seyferth and Associates vice president and account executive for the ArtPrize project showcase, discuss how the event grew from idea to idol. This is a showcase of how PR, art and economic development can change a community. It’s a must see event for those serious about igniting mid-Michigan or their own organization.

For more information about the program, contact Joanne Eason, APR, at jeason@faithcatholic.com or 517-853-7690.