Meet the Artist: Dan Watts

       With the world's largest art prize competition a mere two weeks from today, the buzz is already underway in Grand Rapids. Over 1200 artists are displaying their work in over 100 venues in downtown GR, representing 44 states and 24 countries. The JW's jdek is a prime location to view four huge sculptures - from a giant Loch Ness steel monster ""Nessie" on the Grand River to a gigantic dining room on top of the Blue Bridge. The JW alone is hosting 11 artists, not including the four sculptures in or around the Grand River. 

       Grand Rapids photographer, Dan Watts, is a strong contender to be a finalist for his Grand Rapids Sister Cities photo collage on ceramic tiles. The JW commissioned Dan Watts in 2006-2007 to travel to  the five Grand Rapids Sister Cities of Omihachiman, Japan; Perugia, Italy; Ga District, Ghana; Bielsko-Biala, Poland and Zapopan, Mexico, and capture beautiful vignettes of each city. His collection of photographs are displayed in every guestroom of the JW Marriott. 

        Dan will display his piece inside the skywalk connecting the JW to the main city skywalk. Dan Watts' collection of Sister City photographs are already on display inside this skywalk gallery space and this ceramic photo collage will highlight the already stunning area.

       I had the privilege of witnessing the amount of preparation Dan takes to photograph one subject when I met up with him in Perugia during his stint there. Dan, accompanied by his wife, Sue, would get up at around 4 AM to set up for one shot of a church bell tower at sunrise. After three days of shooting, he was finally happy with his photo of the bell tower! Knowing his eye for detail, I can guarantee you that his ArtPrize entry will  more than deliver a world-class piece. 

        ArtPrize commences on September 23 and will run through October 8. The JW is a designated ArtPrize registration area. Unlike the other venues, The JW will be open 24/7 for public viewing and voting.