Artist Troy Ramos Wins ArtPrize "Pitch Night Detroit" Award

I did it! Last night I took home the Pitch Night Detroit Award after successfully convincing a panel of wonderful art experts that Sound Space needed to be brought into existence. The event took place in Hamtramck (like a Detroit neighborhood but it’s its own city) at Bank Suey and was put on by ArtPrize of Grand Rapids. The winner, c’est moi!, got $5,000 and a high profile venue spot at this year’s ArtPrize 10.

The other 4 finalists were great and it was an honor to be on the stage with them! I look forward to hopefully seeing their work at ArtPrize in September!

If you’re unfamiliar, ArtPrize is, I think, the biggest arts competition in the world. Certainly at the top, if not the biggest. Every year about 1500 artists set up works at venues throughout downtown Grand Rapids and compete for the top spots. There are category prizes, and two big top prizes: $200K for most public votes and $200K for juried award winner. Wowser!

My work, called Sound Space, is going to be a sound and light installation that will provide visitors with a platform for reflection and pause. I want this to be a space where people can physically go inside this artwork and have their own experience. It’s very important that people have their own experience.

I look forward to putting this together and seeing how people react to it. Thanks to everyone who came out to the event! I had such a great time and I got to meet so many great people. And I really look forward to working with everyone at ArtPrize. It’s gonna be fantastic!