Could GR become 'joke' of art world?

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Kendall College professor Deb Rockman knew it would make her late to her own class Thursday. But she had to share with ArtPrize organizers her thoughts on the world's largest art contest.

Rockman is nervous the results of ArtPrize will make Grand Rapids the "joke" of the art world.

She told organizer Rick DeVos in the Kendall lobby at lunchtime that she doesn't consider many of the entries valid art. And if one of those pieces should win?

"I'm fearful that it is going to make Grand Rapids as a 'center for the arts' a joke," she said. "Many of my peers share this. We're worried. And I'd really like to hear what you think about that."

As Rockman rushed off to class afterward, she told 24 Hour News 8 one woman had called her an elitist.

"I was trying to explain to her (what) art is," she said. "We're professionals. How would you feel if somebody claimed to be a doctor and did surgery on you and botched it up?"

DeVos would have liked more input from art critics, he said. The professionals could educate the public.

"Now, it really starts for next year," DeVos said. "We were really just trying to get the big, dumb idea out there. (It's) dumb in its bigness."

He said he agrees with some of Rockman's assessment, but not all of it. The whole idea behind ArtPrize is that people can judge the art for themselves.

Rockman is entered in the contest, but said her concerns aren't linked to her chances at winning -- which, she said she knew were zero from the start.

When asked if she would rather DeVos had never pitched the event, Rockman said no.

"I would wish that it had been done a little differently," she said.

The top 10 ArtPrize entries will be unveiled at 6 p.m. 24 Hour News 8 will be live from downtown Grand Rapids with the results.