Monday in Michigan, Pt. 2

On my recent trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan for the UCDA Design Conference, I was able to see the ArtPrize contest that basically took over the entire city for 19 days. Dinner at the Grand Rapids Brewing Company exposed me to this 30 panel portrait titled Monkey Business by Brenda Gordon. Of course I loved the one dedicated to Marilyn Monroe eating a banana.



Throughout the entire area, people were able to see sculptures, paintings, light installations and more and vote on their favorite.



The Wonder Woman mask creeped me out a bit.



There was also the Pantone Pathway, spray painted on sidewalks leading walkers/runners through highlights of each neighborhood's local businesses, featured venues, and activities. With each Path being 2.4 miles or less, you could experience nearly 90% of ArtPrize.



A few of the pieces that piqued my interest:





When Keith Coleman the artist was around, apparently this one actually was a fire-breathing dragon. Wish I could have seen that for myself!





Even local churches participated. St. Mark's had a number of installations on their property:





The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel where I stayed also hosted a number of pieces. Not a surprise that this one took home the Three-Dimensional Public Vote Award. Good location, very cool sculpture! The artist, Joe Butts, was out there every time I walked by, working the crowd.







I don't believe these murals were part of Artprize, but they are cool nonetheless!







The Conference and Artprize definitely stirred up my creativity. The highlight of the week for me was going to the Bitter End Coffeehouse...



and sketching with some of the speakers who are also involved with Creative South.



Mike Jones was trying to improve some of the coffee labels displayed here. He definitely accomplished that goal!



Doc Reed showed me how to sketch digitally. While I can’t see myself replacing traditional methods with this, it was a blast. I can see why so many artists love using this new artistic medium.



See more Michigan photos at my main website.

Miscellaneous Monstro

Heading into the weekend with a plethora of Monstro/Storybook Land images, starting with a Skyway shot from April 1960. Get off the rocks, Cast Member! Don't you know that could be dangerous?!?



An alternate closeup view shows the Fantasyland Depot and a Richfield vehicle:



This guest from July 1963 is cautiously making friends with Monstro.



Katrina is about to sail off on another adventure, circa February 1964:



I wonder how long this helmet head took to create?



A December 1964 Skyway shot:



An undated 1970s view:



A closeup of the attraction’s signage, back when you had to have tickets for each attraction:



A few contemporary shots from December 2015:









See more Disneyland Storybook Land photos at my main website.

Lady Guinevere at Disneyland

While the Canal Boats of the World attraction was completely retimed and improved by June 1956, it would appear that the boats themselves didn’t take on the names of Disney characters until later. Here’s a shot of the Lady Guinevere boat about to enter Monstro the Whale.

Here’s an overhead shot of the attraction from 1956:



Anyone know what the vehicle is at top? The Viewliner under construction perhaps? A bus?



See more Disneyland Storybook Land attraction photos at my main website.

Forever Plaid

I dig the gal in the plaid pants and she is totally rockin' them outside the Monsanto House of the Future. The two older ladies next to her are green with envy that they didn't think to wear plaid, too. We can also see our January 1959 fashionable gal standing with her beau outside the Main Street Train Station.



Closeup? Of course!



Panning up to the population sign, as of January 1959 over 10,000,000 guests had graced Disneyland with their hard earned money. If you look real close you can see a Harvey Girl inside the door.



Only three years earlier, population was just half that amount.



Pulling back to see the entire 1956 image, the Autopia poster still reigned supreme.



Last up for today since we’re on a roll for the Disneyland Railroad, you can see the companion 1956 shot of the C.K. Holliday resting up before the next Grand Circle Tour.



See more vintage and contemporary Disneyland photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Honeymoon Dancing

For today's Temple Tuesday, a vintage shot of Shirley dancing in the 1947 film “Honeymoon.” From the attached publicity blurb:

DANCE ATHLETE

A dance director must be prepared for all emergencies. When an actor he had trained to dance opposite Shirley Temple in “Honeymoon” became ill, O’Curran had to find a last-minute replacement. Result was that the personable O’Curran stepped into the role himself. He’s the dancing violinist you’ll see on the screen with Shirley in the forthcoming RKO Radio picture.

But he’s apt to take on any job. Next thing you know he may be teaching footwork to a prizefighter. And that, too, would be all in a day’s work for Charles O’Curran -- dance athlete.

Here’s another publicity still from the film with Shirley about to lock lips with costar Guy Madison:



Interestingly enough, on the back of that vintage still is this sketch. Not bad. I have no idea what it’s about, but still a very cool fashion illustration.



See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Monday in Michigan

The Hotel for the 2018 UCDA Design Conference was the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids. Half historic, half modern, this facility was originally known as The Pantlind hotel opened in 1916 after three years of construction. Fashioned after English Adams architecture by designers Warren and Wetmore, the hotel's special details included one of the world's largest gold-leaf ceilings and two incredible chandeliers, both located in the lobby.



By 1925, the Pantlind hotel was ranked “One of the 10 Finest Hotels in America.” As often happens with the passage of time and fashion, along with downtown Grand Rapids, the Pantlind fell from favor as people discovered the suburbs. The Amway Corporation acquired the historic Pantlind in 1979 and carefully restored it to its former glory. The Amway Grand Plaza re-opened in 1981, presided over by President Gerald R. Ford and his wife Betty Ford during a formal black-tie gathering. A 29-story Glass Tower was added in 1983 by Marvin DeWinter & Associates.



The hotel definitely has two distinct styles, as can be seen in this shot of the historic Imperial Ballroom (formerly a bank):



versus this shot of the modern lobby bar:



My room was in the historic section of the hotel (which was just fine with me!). It had been nicely furnished and still had the feel of an older property (again, just fine here!).



But the fitness center was anything but historic. I loved the pool, the workout room, and at some point I SHOULD have used the jacuzzi!!



PLENTY of the historic details that I love!





Especially on the exterior!



See more Grand Rapids, Michigan photos at my main website.