Tavonatti unsure of ArtPrize return

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A day after winning ArtPrize 2011, Mia Tavonatti is not sure what the future holds.

She was non-commital when asked if she'd return to ArtPrize in two years - a new rule prevents the Top 10 artists from returning the following year -- and said she only knew that she'd "be in Escanaba" in a few days for her mother's funeral.

At 9 a.m. Thursday, she got a call that her mom succumbed to a lingering illness. Around 7:40 p.m. she won the $250,000 first-place prize money for her stained glass mosaic, "Crucifixion."

Her work will remain at DeVos Place for the next few weeks.

24 Hour News 8's Ryan Takeo talked with Tavonatti the morning after she won. Watch the video to hear the entire interview.