Kroc Center to get 'Table and Chairs'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The Salvation Army of Western Michigan and Northern Indiana has accepted the donation of an ArtPrize sculpture. The organization will relocate it to the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center on Grand Rapids' south side.

"The Furniture City Sets the Table for the World of Art," more known as "Table and Chairs," was one of the earliest exhibits installed during the competition earlier this year.

The 15-ton artwork is an oversized table and two chairs made of MDO plywood on a steel and structural wood framework. It currently sits high atop the pedestrian blue pedestrian bridge in downtown Grand Rapids.

Des Moines artist Sarah Grant and Grand Rapids architect Stephen Fry, A.I.A. created the artwork, which finished in eighth place in the inaugural ArtPrize event, which took place in September and October.

About 334,000 votes were cast online to choose the winner -- Open Water No. 24 by Ran Ortner of Brooklyn, N.Y. -- among 1,200 artists.

Table and Chairs will be placed on permanent display at the Kroc Center -- a 20-acre, multi-use, recreation and spiritual center. The piece will become the inspirational centerpiece of the 20-acre park and outdoor activity area, and will provide shade for the children's playground, according to a news release.

"It is the mission of the Kroc Center to enrich the mind, body and soul of our community, and one of the best ways we can accomplish that goal is through the visual arts," said Major Roger Ross, administrator of the Grand Rapids Kroc Center. "It is with great enthusiasm and gratitude that we accept Table and Chairs, a magnificent and monumental piece of sculpture, and can keep it on permanent public display at the Kroc Center."

Table and Chairs was designed as a nod to the city's long history as a furniture maker.

"This is the next chapter in the story of this unique piece of sculpture. Just as Table and Chairs symbolizes the next chapter of Grand Rapids from Furniture City to Sculpture City," said Stephen Fry, owner of Concept Design Group. "Sarah and I are extremely excited about The Salvation Army's offer to provide a new permanent home for our sculpture, and we are delighted that this piece and its life-affirming message will be on permanent display at the Kroc Center."

Table and Chairs will remain on temporary display on the bridge over the Grand River through the winter, and will be moved to the Kroc Center site in the spring or early 2010, as weather permits.

The Salvation Army broke ground on the 99,000-square-foot, multi-use campus located at 2500 S. Division Ave. on Oct. 29, 2008. Opening date for the Kroc Center is scheduled for fall 2010.