The Calder.

The Calder is a 6′ x 12′, colorful paint-by-number painting that was painted by 1,500 random people who attended ArtPrize 2023 in Grand Rapids. The canvas depicts a vibrant version of the Alexander Calder sculpture, La Grande Vitesse. The painting is made up of 1,500 numbered areas that were each roughly 2″ x 3″ in size. It was a fully collaborative project that encapsulated the spirit of community.

Whether participants had painted paint-by-numbers in their youth or not, young and old added their special touch to contribute to the final painting. 

My first experience with paint-by-numbers was as a child with my mother. They were always fun projects to do yet little did I know at the time that I would someday go to art school at Kendall College of Art and Design and pursue a career in commercial art. I remember the smell of the paints in the little connected plastic containers. The paintings were an early lesson in how focusing on small sections could end up resulting in a satisfying final painting.

After participating in the first ArtPrize as the conceptual artist behind “The Grand Dance” sculpture that was placed in the Grand River, I hoped I would someday move forward with my own entry. I had an idea to do a community paint-by-number painting that would involve hundreds of people, though I initially considered the idea as likely unoriginal. In recent years, the pandemic separated us like never before while our wider community continues to be separated by politics, class, race and a number of other issues. The time seemed right to focus on a project that could bring people together, even for a few moments at a time.

I’ve kept these two paint-by-number paintings of dogs since childhood and they bring back fond memories of being an eight year old and spending time with my mother. They were still in their dusty old broken frames until I recently re-framed them.

She would buy these type of kits for the two of us to do to past time together. I’m sure she ended up contributing most of the brush strokes, but I learned to take my time and try and be as detailed and careful as she had been.

I heard that sales of paint-by-number kits increased during the pandemic, which makes sense since it’s a great activity for people of all ages.

A major aspect of the project was having 1,500 participants assist with painting the large 6′ x 12′ depiction of the sculpture. They were shown a collection of the ten possible color choices with the cooresponding number.

Participants were welcome to paint, regardless of physical ability. Lower spots were available for anyone unable to reach higher areas.

Volunteers were available to assist with locating the numbered areas, providing the paint cup and brush, and assisting with the flow of participants.

Fifty participants per session were able to paint over the first two weekends of ArtPrize.

The completed  “Artist Mosaic” poster includes a photo of each participant’s face. It’s a great companion record of all who put brush to canvas!