Swift Printing

When the concept of ArtPrize first emerged, I was living in Florida. My parents excitedly called to share the news about this incredible event, highlighting that it would offer the largest monetary prize for an artist. Initially, I didn’t grasp the full concept until I came home for a visit that fall. From that moment, I was hooked.

Coming downtown has always been something I enjoyed. Seeing people from all walks of life and adding art to the mix—how could you not love it? There’s something special about artists. They see the world differently and have a unique perspective on what is important in life.

Over the years, I've been captivated by so many cool experiences, from the bee exhibit at the former UICA to the reflective mirrors at the Calder with live music for the Paul Collins Award. But my favorite ArtPrize year is 2012, when I planned my wedding around the event. Still residing in Florida, my husband and I chose September 29, which turned out to be the most perfect Michigan fall day. The sun was shining, the city was bustling with people, and Grand Rapids felt like a big city.

A few days before the big day, my mom and I made a special trip to Big Ol’ Cafe to buy a beer and discuss the final wedding plans, and to get a set of the Signature ArtPrize glasses to use at the wedding. Looking back, what I cherish most about that experience is the memory of my mom and I making that special downtown trip. That’s what’s special about ArtPrize. Yes, the economic impact is huge for Grand Rapids, but equally important is the sense of community it fosters—a place where anyone can belong.

In 2014, when I moved back to Grand Rapids, my dad, Walt Gutowski, suggested that Swift Printing should become an ArtPrize venue. I eagerly took on the challenge, and soon, we had over 15 artists displaying their work along Bridge Street.

For years, I’ve been planning a friends' walk to tour ArtPrize. Here’s my favorite loop. Traditionally, this has been the best way to see the most art in the shortest amount of time if you’re only coming downtown once.

The past three years, Swift Printing has showcased our own entries: the Red Lion Vintage Neon, the history of printing with a restored pre-electricity printing press, and a sticker vending machine. This year, Walt Gutowski III is our resident artist, and we may feature other artists as well. Our theme this year is "Imagination: Childhood Wonder." We aim to display art that captures the sense of wonder we experienced in our youth, perfectly reflected in Walt’s entry, Faces.

Swift is also proud to be an ArtPrize sponsor and vendor. It’s fantastic to work with people who are as passionate about what they do as we are. The whole ArtPrize team has been a joy to collaborate with over the years.

What I truly want businesses, artists, venues, and patrons to understand is that ArtPrize makes Grand Rapids a place where everyone belongs. It’s a conduit for making connections with people who see the world differently than you and brings us together through art. Through my ArtPrize journey, I’ve discovered that many others also feel like they are ArtPrize’s number one fan, which is incredibly cool. I am sincerely grateful to the DeVos family for creating such a wonderful concept that has brought our city together for so many years. I can’t wait to see how it continues to grow and evolve.

Thanks for letting me share my slice of ArtPrize. I can’t wait to hear about your experiences!

Cheers,

Jessica Gutowski-Slaydon
Third Generation President
Swift Printing