“When we were asked to be part of this ArtPrize exhibit, It really was an honor because it was a tangible art form that demonstrated how New Day Foundation for families brings community around a family battling cancer. We interject immediately with bill payments for families battling cancer. Statewide, we have 130 hospital partners and we identify those families so we can immediately interject, make mortgage payments, make car payments, pay their utilities and provide emotional support through our network of licensed psychologists,” said Julie Nemeth, the Partnerships and Development Consultant at New Day Foundation.
The ‘Face It Together’ exhibit being showcased at the Grand Rapids ArtPrize is the first ever fundraising component to be a part of this art competition and festival. It’s a collaboration between the New Day Foundation and ArtPrize to support individuals across the state of Michigan who are battling cancer and going through treatment.
“It’s very, very simple. You just go here You’ll see right away where the facial upload is at the Art Prize and New Day Foundation for families exhibit. You simply upload your face and it gets rejuvenated. It’s every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So after that, come and visit, come to the Amway Grand Lobby and see your face,” said Nemeth.
A simple process making a profound impact across the state through a beautiful display.
“The way the the screens are set up and stuff, it’s all about pixels, so you just know your parameters that you have to work with. The actual challenging part was the front piece of this because it was put into layers of cross-sections. So you had to think about how that played into the effect of the way it animates,” said Dean Hunt, the Digital Animator of the exhibit.
The digital piece was inspired by a painting done by ArtPrize Executive Director Catlin Whitington. It’s the first digital piece of art of this size being displayed at the ArtPrize competition, and it’s leaving spectators absolutely speechless.
“I think it’s amazing to be a part of this and be able to like kind of showcase what art can be versus, you know, just painting or whatever. Art can easily be this. We transitioned a painting into a digital inclusive masterpiece. I think seeing and helping other artists to do this or even like help them out through cancer research and stuff. You know, it’s it’s all good,” Hunt said.
Even if you can’t make it to the festival in person, you can still be a part of it by uploading your photo with a donation that will go towards funding the artist grants within ArtPrize and individuals battling cancer here in Michigan.
“The impact is statewide. It’s global, right. We are just taking something and we’re finding a new way to fundraise. If you want to have an impact, you know, then upload your face, write this, and then come back here to see it or look at it online or go to face funding social platforms. And you’re going to see the progress of this exhibit. You’re going to see the people that this mission is resonating with. So just have an impact and you can do it right from your home. It’s so easy and be a part of something great,” Nemeth said.