While thousands of hopeful artists enter ArtPrize, Michigan’s annual art competition offering prizes up to $200,000, there can only be a handful of winners (see “An ArtPrize Surprise Lights the Way to a Better Art World“). But this year, a few lucky artists are feeling almost as accomplished as if they had won over the public or the jury. According to Fox 17 News, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!, known for collecting and tracking various oddities of the world, has already acquired works by 2 ArtPrize artists and is considering a list of 15 others to add to its collection.
One of the acquired works, Kim Froese’s Face It, You Need Us, is comprised of embellished yellow jacket and hornet nests turned into a series of rather chilling faces. Froese explained that using the nests as a medium is her way of spreading the message about their importance in the ecosystem. The piece will soon be shipped off to Amsterdam, where it will go on display at the local Ripley’s museum. However, Froese warned the team that they would have to come pick the work up before deer hunting season kicks off, as she and her family will not be home then.
This is the fifth year that Ripley’s has visited ArtPrize, which is known for its strange and outlandish artworks, to scope out possible pieces for their collection. “It’s an opportunity for Ripley to see what’s current, what’s hip, what’s trending, all at one time,” said vice president of exhibits and archives Edward Meyer.