Knocked-over ArtPrize entry back up

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - An ArtPrize sculpture has been damaged in what appears to be an act of vandalism.

The entry, "Love is..." by Judy Rogers, is displayed outside the YMCA on Lake Michigan Drive. The rotating globe is covered with children's drawings and also plays music.

Rogers and her husband spent Monday afternoon near the sculpture, talking to ArtPrize-goers. Around 7 p.m., they left to go see the Top 10. When they returned at around 10 p.m., the sculpture was on its side.

Shortly before 10 p.m., someone came up to the sculpture and shoved it until it fell off its axis, 24 Hour News 8 was told. That person then fled.

Police were called to the scene and a forensics unit was there gathering evidence before 11 p.m.

There was a witness who saw the sculpture be knocked over.

Rogers told 24 Hour News 8 she hopes the person who knocked the sculpture over realizes how much he has hurt the Greenville, Mich. children who helped create "Love is..."

"They just loved being a part of ArtPrize," Rogers said. "And I just think that he'd destroyed that."

Those children are expected to be at ArtPrize later this week to see the sculpture to which they contributed.

On Tuesday, Rogers' husband told 24 Hour News 8 that the sculpture had been placed back up on its axis. Its light and music components were working. However, he said, the mechanism that made the globe turn was damaged beyond repair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Grand Rapids Police Department or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.