Black History Month 2021 events planned for the Grand Rapids area
Updated Feb 06, 2021;
Posted Feb 06, 2021
February is Black History Month. Pictured is a display of items collected by George Bayard, who opened the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives in 2016, on Monroe Center NW in Grand Rapids. (Allison Farrand | MLive.com)Allison Farrand | MLive.com
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Multiple Grand Rapids organizations are hosting events celebrating Black History Month, including featured speakers, community discussions, plays and exhibits throughout February.
Most of the events will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are also some socially distanced in-person programming and self-guided tours available. There are more options than ever to learn about Black culture, history and experiences.
Grand Rapids Business Journal
ORGANIZATION: Freelance visual artist and illustrator
At the height of the social unrest over the summer in Grand Rapids, Jasmine Bruce used her artistic talent to raise awareness and bring her community together.
The freelance illustrator helped to lead four different art projects that featured artworks by herself and other Grand Rapids artists.
Bruce was a part of the Womenâs Way Initiative, which highlighted four women leaders in Grand Rapids. She painted a mural of Harriet Wood Hill, who was the first African American police officer at the Grand Rapids Police Department. The mural of Hill is in the alley of Louis Street NW at the northwest corner of the Grand Rapids Police Department.
World of Winter festival returns to Grand Rapids with giant ‘icicles,’ light-up art installations
Updated Jan 20, 2021;
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI The World of Winter festival has returned to Grand Rapids.
The festival, which kicked off Jan. 15 and wraps up Feb. 28, provides a host of outdoor art and entertainment activities throughout downtown Grand Rapids.
World of Winter boasts 15 interactive art exhibitions, including the Singing Tree at Canal Park, Winter Tumbleweeds at the Blue Bridge, and Impulse on Monroe, an “interactive art installation that consists of 15 seesaws that light up and create sound when put into motion by people.”
When it comes to checking out the festival, keep in mind that the exhibits feature staggered open dates for the weeks-long event. Check the festival schedule on the website for what exhibits are open on particular dates.
New Grand Rapids shop showcases artisan gifts from women- and minority-owned businesses
Updated Dec 20, 2020;
Posted Dec 20, 2020
Winsome Kirton is the owner of Pack Elephant, a values-driven gifting platform. The store recently opened at Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids. (Brian McVicar | MLive.com)
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI Inside Pack Elephant, a new gift shop at Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids, customers can find an array of artisanal goods, from candles and facemasks to blueberry jam and green tea.
Most of the items were created in small batches, the work of entrepreneurs who live in Grand Rapids and throughout West Michigan. But the products share another characteristic too: Many were created by women and people of color.
Filipino Lantern Celebration coming to town this holiday season
Community driven Filipino lantern celebration
and last updated 2020-12-19 07:57:49-05
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. â The Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Foundation is lighting up the holiday season with an all-new community-driven festivity.
They are partnering with Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. to host the Filipino Lantern Celebration, where guests get to create lanterns to be displayed on the windows of the Grand Rapids Police Department.
Lanterns can be dropped off Saturday, December 19, from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 555 Monroe Avenue.
Judges will announce two winners on December 22 to receive the first and second place prizes of $300 and $150 visa gift cards respectively. Then, Facebook voting will take place from December 19 through December 30. Two winners of the public vote will also receive $300 and $150 gift cards from local businesses.