Avenue for the Arts hosts twelve local art Events year in Grand Rapids’ largest community art gallery, the 106 Gallery.
One Oh Six Gallery
Upcoming Local Art Exhibitions
December 5 – January 9
Junk Drawer
Grand Valley State University senior art student exhibition featuring ceramics, printmaking, painting, jewelry, textiles, sculpture, and chainmail.
Opening Reception: Friday, 12/5 from 6–9pm as part of the First Friday art walk. Refreshments will be provided.
Open hours: Tuesdays/Thursdays 10am–4pm through 1/9.
Closing Reception: Friday, 1/9 from 6–9pm.
Rapid Art Movement
Our one-of-a-kind arts festival returns in a whole new format.
Returning on January 30th and 31st of 2026, Rapid Art Movement is an arts festival that embraces the unique setting and culture of Grand Rapids. Passengers will board a DASH bus transformed through drawings, sculpture, poetry, and performance and take a ride like they’ve never experienced before. It’s all part of World of Winter, the largest winter festival in the US.
Event website
Break IT Down | Make It Better
West Michigan’s longest-running professional development conference for artists is back for its 13th year in February of 2026. he conference is organized through an ongoing partnership with Avenue for the Arts, ArtPrize, and AllArtWorks.
Earlier this year…
Looking Back | Moving Forward: The avenue Turns 20
Curated by Annamarie Buller, Ethan Ross, and Zachary Trebellas
Opening Reception of Looking Back | Moving Forward
Friday, November 7 • 6–9pm*
Twenty artists whose lives have intertwined with the Avenue over the decades showed their work at the 106 Gallery in our largest group exhibition of the year. Food, music, activities, and community stories from throughout the Avenue's history were on display.
Show Ran: November 7–22
Open Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am–4pm, Saturday 11/22 1–5pm, and by appointment
Arty Party
Saturday, November 15 • 4–7pm
We held our biggest bash of the year and honored Jenn Schaub, the longtime program manager of the Avenue. In addition we presented the first-ever award Arty Awards, honoring nine Grand Rapids artists who’ve made a difference in our city. Winners below.
CMY-Kudos Award for a graphic designer whose work in the past year is outstanding and deserves recognition.
Winner: Derek Mohr
Community Champ Award for an individual who in the past year has made a positive impact in the community with art.
Winner: Zachary Trebellas
Cultivator Award for an arts educator who in the past year has made a positive impact through teaching.
Winner: Shayna Haynes-Heard
Legacy Award for an individual who has made a long-lasting impact on our city’s artists and residents.
Winner: Jenn Schaub
Notable Hustler Award for an artist who has been noticeably productive over the past year in creating and exhibiting work.
Winner: Thiago Porraz
Next Generation Award for an artist in college or within two years of graduation whose work is outstanding and deserves recognition.
Winner: Abby Haywood, Soso-Akalesh
Rising Star Award for an artist or arts worker under thirty whose recent work is outstanding and deserves recognition.
Winner: Eddie Chaffer
Seven Bridges Award for an artist or arts worker who in the past year has helped connect different people or groups by embracing collaboration.
Winner: Monk
Small Wonder Award for a small arts business or non-profit (10 or less employees) that has been doing remarkable work in the past year.
Winner: Grammatones
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