Oh Hello Paper & Gifts

Submitted by Alex Benda, CEO of Oh Hello Paper & Gifts

ArtPrize. For many, it's the season of awe-inspiring art and slightly confused tourists complaining about parking. But for me? It's the story of how a city’s vibrant energy and a water crisis nudged my wife and me into making one of the best decisions of our lives. The year is 2016, Flint Michigan, amidst a water crisis and months of bottled water. There we were, pondering our next move, when a visit to Grand Rapids during ArtPrize changed it all. Little did we know, we were about to fall head over heels for a city that knew how to throw an art party like no other.

Our first rendezvous with Grand Rapids during ArtPrize was like walking into a party where you know nobody but leave with a hundred friends. There’s something about the energy here; it’s contagious, so many genuine events and groups showcasing different talents.  And the people? Imagine the friendliness of a Midwest small town crammed into a city that doesn’t just open its arms to strangers but pretty much adopts them on the spot. We wandered through streets lined with art that made us think, laugh, and occasionally tilt our heads in confusion (not all art is for everybody!) and thought, "Yep, this is home."

For two years after moving here, we were ArtPrize tourists, wandering from piece to piece, blissfully unaware that soon we'd be on the other side of the canvas. Fast forward to January 2020, and we're opening our stores (Oh Hello Paper & Gifts, Courage & Soar) downtown, turning from art admirers into art enablers. Our mission? To serve as a megaphone for the Midwest's finest creatives, showcasing everything from art hobbyists, who are still developing their ceramic skills, to accomplished muralists and painters from around the area. Joining ArtPrize as a venue in 2021 gave us the opportunity to take our mission of sharing what makes West Michigan great to a whole new level.

Becoming an ArtPrize venue was like living the ideal version of ourselves. Suddenly, our little shop was part of a much bigger picture, painting strokes on the canvas of Grand Rapids’ cultural scene. Sharing stories from the artists and delighting in the busy weekend bustle that comes from being an impromptu art gallery. 

Representing more than half our yearly income, the 16 days of ArtPrize is precisely when our mission to highlight local talent and the need to earn a living line up. The focus becomes sharing stories and being the best steward to visitors we can be as the sales take care of themselves. The extra influx of people has us planning months in advance with our local artists and creators to have enough inventory to feed the desires and tastes of people discovering our stores for the first time or the tenth time. The art brings people in without any pressure of needing to buy anything and they leave delighted to find there are new stores they never knew about and often with a treasure in hand.  

Now, for those thinking of diving into the ArtPrize as a venue, here’s a nugget of wisdom: focus on the artist and host multiple artists. ArtPrize turns Grand Rapids into a vast, open gallery, but the sheer volume of work can be overwhelming. When visitors step into your space and hear the stories of the artists you feature, they're invited into a smaller, more intimate community. These narratives create a sense of belonging, a feeling that they’re not just observers but participants in a living, breathing cultural exchange. This inclusivity is powerful; it transforms casual visitors into advocates, supporters, and even friends of the local art scene.

The stories you share do more than just enhance the visitor experience; they ripple out into the community, spreading enthusiasm and appreciation for local talent. They encourage conversations that might not have happened, inspire visits that might not have been planned, and foster a community spirit that lasts well beyond the event itself. This storytelling approach reinforces the idea that ArtPrize—and your venue, by extension—is a cornerstone of the Grand Rapids art community, a place where art is alive, stories are cherished, and everyone is welcome.

ArtPrize is more than an event for us; it’s a lifeline, a spotlight, and a joy. It embodies the spirit of Grand Rapids – a city that embraces its artists, its businesses, and its slightly eccentric gift shop owners with equal affection. As we gear up for another ArtPrize, we’re reminded that this event isn’t just another over marketed event; it’s a way to open a door, share a moment, and celebrate the creative heart of our city that beats here every day.