ArtPrize volunteers' 3 big questions

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - John Erickson and Becki Waggoner had never met before Thursday. But they're working with 1000 other people they don't know as ArtPrize volunteers.

And without the volunteers, organizers say, there is no ArtPrize.

Who are the volunteers that donate a collective 22,000 hours of their time?

"High schoolers to retired people and everything inbetween," Amelea Pegman told 24 Hour News 8. She's the volunteer coordinator for ArtPrize. "People who work a full day and want to come and work with us at night. People who take vacation time off work and it's because we are having so much fun."

The volunteers wear "Ask Me" vests, answer visitors questions and provide directions.

"I guess the bathroom, food and a particular piece of art are the three big questions," Erickson said.

For Waggoner, the biggest perk is getting to see the art. "The more art that I see then I can direct people to things that they might enjoy," she said.

They and the other volunteers are on a mission to get people to register to vote for ArtPrize, and if you do, the volunteers will give you a free map.

But if you're lost, need a bathroom or just want some directions, just ask an ArtPrize volunteer.