The sculpture "Unintentional Levitation" by Ash Knight<http://www.artprize.org/john-ashley-knight>, an art instructor at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), has been selected to be displayed during ArtPrize® Eight<http://www.artprize.org/>, an international art competition held each fall in western Michigan. This year's event, being held Sept. 21 - Oct. 9, will feature more than 1,450 artists and is expected to attract more than 400,000 arts enthusiasts to the downtown streets of Grand Rapids.
The 19-day event gives artists from all over the world the opportunity to submit their best works for consideration. If selected, participating venues, such as museums, parks, restaurants and more, located within the Grand Rapids' ArtPrize District<
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?msa=0&mid=1AYVMbG1n4fcqJEJa09eEHA_cNrQ> pick an artist/piece to host during the competition.
Knight's work is scheduled to be displayed in the Amway Grand Plaza<
http://amwaygrand.com/contact/directions>, considered one of the premier venues/locations in the competition. As a result, Knight anticipates his piece will be viewed by at least 100,000 people during the competition.
"I'm excited to be showing in ArtPrize® Eight this year and am looking forward to seeing how people respond to the work," said Knight. "I couldn't have asked for a better location to show the sculpture. It will be displayed on the Amway Plaza near the corner of Monroe Avenue and Lyon Street, directly in front of a Ruth's Chris restaurant. This area is in the heart of the event so it has the potential to be seen by the greatest amount of people."
Foot traffic is an important factor in winning the competition, as the public votes to help determine the winner. The public vote counts toward one half of the final decision, while the other half is determined by a jury of art experts. At the conclusion of the event, more than $500,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded - two $200,000 grand prizes and eight $12,500 category awards.
Knight's piece, "Unintentional Levitation<
http://www.artprize.org/63548>," will compete in ArtPrize's 3-D category. Made from steel tubing, the piece was created in 2016 and depicts a past moment in his life that brought about a transformation - the moment he and his sister were catapulted off of his bicycle while speeding down one of the biggest hills in their neighborhood.
"The piece is a little different conceptually from previous works in the narrative aspect, but I thought about exploring the idea after recalling and laughing about the event with family over a holiday," explains Knight. "It was kind of a painful lesson in childhood recklessness, but it felt like a greater lesson in learning to pick yourself up from a 'fall.'"
Knight is a sculptor and artist based in Charlotte, N.C. Born in Greensboro, N.C., he received his bachelor's and master's degrees from UNC-Greensboro. His works have been featured at the North Carolina Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill, N.C., as well as in the Elder Gallery in Charlotte. In addition, he has served as a past presenter at the Mint Museum and a guest speaker at High Point University.
To learn more about CPCC's arts programs, please visit
cpcc.edu/arts-interior-design<
http://www.cpcc.edu/arts-interior-design>.
Central Piedmont Community College is one of the largest community colleges in the Carolinas, offering nearly 300 degree, diploma and certification programs; customized corporate training; market-focused continuing education; and special interest classes. CPCC is academically, financially and geographically accessible to all citizens of Mecklenburg County. CPCC responds to the workforce and technology needs of local employers and job seekers through innovative educational and training strategies. Established in 1963, CPCC has provided more than 50 years of service to Mecklenburg County residents, business and industry. For more information, see
cpcc.edu<
http://cpcc.edu/>. Connect with the college on social media at
cpcc.edu/social<
http://www.cpcc.edu/social>.
