Artist loses mother, wins ArtPrize

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Mia Tavonatti's victory on Thursday may have felt hollow for the artist, who took first place in ArtPrize 2011 for her stained-glass mosaic "Crucifixion."

Tavonatti said at a press conference following the finale program at which she was announced as the winner that her mother, who had been ill for some time, died on Thursday.

She died of pneumonia.

Tavonatti's two sisters also competed in ArtPrize this year. Tavonatti said that her mother wanted very much to attend, but simply wasn't able.

"She's here in sprit," said Tavonatti.

Tavonatti told 24 Hour News 8 that she has known from a young age that she has "a gift from God." That belief has strongly influenced her work, including "Crucifixion."

"People ask me all the time what inspired this piece. I don't choose my subjects, they choose me," she said.

Tavonatti came in second place in ArtPrize 2010 for another stained-glass mosaic called "Svetlata."

"When I was done with ArtPrize last year, it took me months to recover," she said.

"Crucifixion" was created on commission for a Catholic church in California. Construction at the church was delayed, prompting Tavonatti to enter the mosaic in ArtPrize.

"I just prayed for the right thing to come along, and that same week, I was hired to do this project," Tavonatti said.

Tavonatti is from Iron Mountain, Mich. She currently lives in California.

The first prize for ArtPrize is $250,000.