Avenue for the Arts hosts sixteen local art exhibitions per year in Grand Rapids’ largest community art gallery, the ONE OH SIX Gallery, and its smallest arts spaces, the Artposts.
Artposts
Why should the only public art we see be big murals and bronze sculptures? The Artposts are an opportunity for artists of all media to show their work in public.
They are five outdoor miniature art galleries organized by Avenue for the Arts that provide the public with an opportunity to see small-scale artworks in unconventional settings. They are a paid opportunity for artists as well as curators through our curatorial mentorship program. We exhibit Michigan artists with a preference for artists from West Michigan. We are currently looking for group and solo exhibitions for 2026 and 2027 in any media. Learn more and apply below. Group and solo shows are welcome.
Artpost locations
GVSU Pew Campus: The corner of Mt. Vernon Ave and Front Ave
GVSU Seidman Campus: Across from the main entrance
Fountain Street Church: 24 Fountain St NE
Verne Barry Place: 63 Division Ave S
Ferguson Apartments: Just south of the 52 Sheldon Parking lot LaGrave entrance in the small park.
PAST EXHIBITIONS
2025
Fall: Could We Put it in a Jar? by Gabrielle Egnater
Summer: Participation Trophy by Gustavo Ayala
Winter: Hum by Ivy Laurel Anderson
Spring: Six Years Since (12 May 2019 03:30:00 PM CST) by Jamie Weinfurter
2024
Fall: We Could be the Enemy by John Sproul
Summer: Metamorphosis by Robyn Smith
Winter: Winter Lanterns by Matthew Goetzka, Kristin Halladay, Tori Naum, Annabelle Brinks, curated by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
2023
Fall: Ephemeral Nature by Avenue Art Club for ArtPrize
Summer: Gluttony by Mandy Cano Villalobos
Five installations exploring a personal hoarding obsession, American consumerism, and a desire for belonging.
Spring: Grand Valley State University’s Space Studio Class
2022
Fall: Thunder by Kristin Casaletto
New intaglio prints depicting civil rights leaders by Grand Valley State University professor Kristin Casaletto.
Summer: Secure Fragility by Karen Hain
Opening during the launch of a new downtown event series, Third Thursdays, this exhibition was curated by local artist Craig Merchant and show the work of Detroit-based fiber artist Karen Hain.
Winter—Spring: Two Weeks Notice
Bridgette McGee and snicka are two Grand Rapids artists exploring the artposts as sites for miniature installations.
2021
Winter: FLUX
FLUX was an exhibition of five artists curated by Grand Valley State University’s curatorial studio course. Information on each of its artists can be found at the exhibition website here.
Fall: ArtPrize 2021
The Artposts’ inaugural exhibition was during ArtPrize 11 and featured the work of local art collective Good Manufacturing.
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Artposts were built with the generous support of ArtPrize and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Their locations are a partnership with Fountain Street Church, Grand Valley State University, and Dwelling Place.