Dance performances highlight GVSU at ArtPrize 2026

Grand Valley’s role in ArtPrize 2026 includes a performance choreographed by a dance faculty member and a collaborative exhibit with Kent County Habitat for Humanity. ArtPrize kicks off on September 18 . 

Carrie Brueck Morris, professor of dance and dance curriculum coordinator, choreographed a unique dance built upon audience participation for ArtPrize. “Do You Want to Start at the Beginning or the End?” will be performed by GVSU alumni O’Malley Ferguson and Kaye Suarez. 

Morris said the dance was inspired by two things: her love of choose-your-own-adventure books, and the idea of "moving forward through life and the lasting impact of every choice we make."

“You can only live life forward," Morris said. "You make a choice, things play out and fall into place because of those choices you made. There is no going back. You have to commit and go forward."

Morris began the project during her sabbatical, originally planning a 10-minute piece that could be performed at dance festivals. As she worked through choreography with dance students, it became clear that 10 minutes was not long enough for the story she wanted to tell.

“I ended up with a 25-30 minute piece. There’s no lighting associated with it. I want people to be close to it, right up there next to the dancers,” she said. “I’m always interested in how we can peel back the layers of people’s understanding of dance and choreography. This is allowing the audience to do that.”

When people attend the performance, they can scan a QR code that will allow them to vote and make decisions at various points in the dance. Morris said that means each performance will be unique. 

Performances will be held at Zeal Aerial Fitness at the following dates and times: 

• Sept. 19: 6 and 7 p.m.
• Sept. 20: 2 and 3 p.m.
• Sept. 26: 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7 p.m.
• Sept. 27: 2 and 3 p.m.

Collaboration with Habitat for Humanity

Kent County Habitat for Humanity has various community partners, including GVSU, for its interactive exhibit, “Community Starts with Home.”

The installation consists of free-standing doors across multiple locations, including GVSU's collaboration at Lacks Park, 60 Front Ave. NW in Grand Rapids. On Sept. 19, a professional artist will paint a door promoting themes of affordable housing and healthy communities. Members of the public can paint a second door at each location based on what home means to them. 

Faculty and alumni ArtPrize particpants

Below is a partial list of faculty and GVSU alumni who are participating in ArtPrize. Each link details their work and location.

Faculty:

• Stafford Smith, associate professor of photography
• Zachary Trebellas, visiting professor of visual and media arts
• Maggie Clifford-Bandstra, adjunct professor of art education 
• Mandy Cano-Villalobos, adjunct professor of visual and media arts
• Deanna Morse, professor emeritus of visual and media arts

Alumni:

• Carly Richmond
• Janiah Skye
• Kristine VanderVelde
• Lauren Hunter

— Sofia Ellis is a senior majoring in writing and a student writer for University Communications.

The Art and Science of Psychology: An Evening with GVSU Psychology

A free public event held during ArtPrize will explore the science of psychology and how the human brain experiences art, movies, good design, and even robots.

The event will be held from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 25 in the DeVos Center on the City Campus. 

The evening, hosted by the Department of Psychology, includes specialized talks from faculty members, a reception and a guest artist (and former psychology faculty member) painting live. There will also be research posters highlighting faculty and student work.

Each talk is intended for a general audience. They are: 

• "Your Brain on Movies," with Christopher Kurby, professor and department chair
• "Why Good Design Feels Right" with Jennifer Gross, professor
• "Living with Robots" with Brian Bowdle, associate professor 

Leon Lou, a longtime psychology faculty member who now paints full time by working with oil, watercolor and pastel, will draw portraits of guests, in pencil and watercolor, for free. Lou, a self-taught painter whose art practice has intertwined with his psychology research, has been part of ArtPrize as an artist. His work is also included in the GVSU Art Museum collection.

"Psychology is the scientific study of how people perceive, think and feel, so an evening centered on art is a natural fit," said Gross, a member of the event planning committee. "We wanted to bring our faculty out of the classroom and into conversation with our alumni and the wider community during a week when the whole city is already looking at art. I hope people leave seeing something familiar a little differently."

— Written by Peg West