GRAND RAPIDS -- Fans of Ran Ortner's work will be pleased.
Ortner, the first prize winner of ArtPrize 2009, unveiled the poster he created to promote this fall's Celebration on the Grand.
Ortner was at the Grand Rapids Art Museum Friday evening for the unveiling, held as part of the museum's "Fridays at GRAM" series.
The poster bears an unmistakable resemblance to Ortner's painting "Open Water no. 24," which won the $250,000 to prize in the first ArtPrize competition.
The artist based in Brooklyn, N.Y., was commissioned earlier this year to create the poster for the community celebration, which will be held Sept. 9-11 downtown.
The posters, priced at $20 each, went on sale Friday evening in the art museum's gift shop, which will be the only place to buy one of the 350 posters available.
Proceeds will support both Celebration on the Grand and the Grand Rapids Art Museum, at Ortner's request.
Ortner signed 10 posters that were matted, framed and sold separately. But he also planned to autograph posters purchased this evening.
Along with the unveiling, Ortner led a discussion on the history of well-known artists who have created posters in their careers. His prize-winning painting, which was purchased by Dick and Betsy DeVos, remains on loan and on display at the Grand Rapids Art Museum through Aug. 15.
The 31st annual Celebration on the Grand will feature live entertainment, local business booths, concessions and a large fireworks display during the three-day community event.
E-mail Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk: jkaczmarczyk@grpress.com