Legacy Trust Announces Celebrity Judges for Art Competition

April 16, 2012 - PRLog -- Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 16, 2012 - Legacy Trust today announced the five local celebrities who will serve as judges for the Legacy Trust Art Collection, a statewide competition for adult artists with disabilities.

New this year, the competition has added a panel of celebrity judges who will select one of the artists to include in the Legacy Trust Art Collection.  The other two selections will again be made by a public vote, with the top-two vote-getting artists being chosen for the Collection. The public will have a chance to view and vote on the art on Friday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Ledyard Building in downtown Grand Rapids.  A private reception for all artists, judges and LTAC supporters will be held the night before.  

The celebrity judges are:
ο   Paul Collins, the renowned Grand Rapids artist whose paintings have hung on the walls of some of the most prestigious museums and galleries in the world.  The self-taught painter has captured hundreds of portraits, from the streets of Senegal to the heroes of the United States to Navajo and Hopi reservations in Arizona.  His award-winning career spans five decades and has taken him around the world.
ο   Teresa Weatherall Neal, Grand Rapids Public Schools interim superintendent.  Neal is a 35-year GRPS veteran and Creston High School graduate who has extensive experience within the district and community.
ο   Emily Richett, Fox 17 morning news reporter and entertainment host.  Richett is a popular face around West Michigan, spending her weekdays interviewing celebrities, exploring area attractions and searching for adventures to share with her WXMI audience.
ο   Richard A. Roane, a partner at Warner Norcross & Judd LLP and avid art collector.   Roane is a family law attorney who has been practicing law West Michigan for more than two decades.  His Mid-Century Modern home in Grand Rapids showcases his extensive collection of paintings, drawings and sculpture.  He was recently elected to the board of directors of UICA.
ο   Harold Voorhees, Sr., Kent County commissioner and president of Cookies Unique, a local cookie producer.  A lifelong resident of West Michigan who is active in business and public service, Voorhees previously served as mayor of Wyoming and a state representative.  

Legacy Trust has partnered with Artists Creating Together, formerly VSA Arts, to once again host the statewide art competition, which is designed to provide assistance to adult artists with disabilities to participate in ArtPrize 2012.  ArtPrize is scheduled this year from Sept. 19 through Oct. 7 in downtown Grand Rapids.

Winners of the 2012 LTAC will be announced the week of May 21.  Along with having their artwork entered into ArtPrize, the winning artists will receive a cash prize of $500.  All entry fees and promotion expenses for ArtPrize will be paid for by Artists Creating Together, an arts organization that brings children, youth and adults with disabilities together with artists, the arts and art projects, and Legacy Trust, who will secure venue space at ArtPrize 2012 for the winning artists.

The competition will continue to accept submissions until May 7, and artwork must be delivered to Artists Creating Together in Grand Rapids by 11 a.m. on May 17 for the voting artists' reception.

This is the third year Legacy Trust and Artists Creating Together have hosted the LTAC competition.

About Legacy Trust
Legacy Trust is an independent, locally owned, Michigan-chartered bank that specializes in providing investment and wealth-management services to individuals, families, foundations and non-profits in West Michigan.  Legacy Trust delivers highly customized financial and investment solutions tailored to meet the unique situation of each client.  For more information, visit us at www.legacygr.com.

About Artists Creating Together
Artists Creating Together is a non-profit organization that brings children, youth and adults with disabilities together with artists, the arts and art projects.  Formerly known as VSA/Very Special Arts, Artists Creating Together has been a part of the Kent County landscape since 1986.  Today, Artists Creating Together helps more than 6,000 individuals from West and Northwest Michigan celebrate, succeed and grown with art.  Since its inception, Artists Creating Together has benefitted more than 20,000 individuals with disabilities from throughout West Michigan.  For more information, please find us on our website at www.artistscreatingtogether.org or call us at 616.885.5866.

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