GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 26, 2011 – The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA) has become an integral part of the West Michigan cultural landscape. Incorporated on April 26, 1977, the organization has grown in the past 34 years from its grass-roots beginnings on Front Street to its premier location at the crossroads of downtown. To commemorate the organization’s move from its current location at 41 Sheldon Boulevard to its new home at 2 West Fulton, UICA is pleased to announce a series of events that highlight the organization’s transition.
UICA will be closed to the public beginning Saturday, May 14, but there are many events leading up to the closure of 41 Sheldon Boulevard that provide visitors an opportunity to reminisce about their experiences as well as take a bit of the organization home with them. The first event is an online auction on April 29 where UICA will be selling a number of items that won’t be needed at the new location. On May 5 they will host NoshNight: Swap Meet – offering guests the opportunity to swap their old artwork for something new. Then on May 11, UICA will screen the final film, The Last Picture Show with discounted show times throughout the day. UICA will also host a garage sale on June 2–4 prior to the final event, a Moving Day Parade, on June 30. At this event staff and volunteers will form a human chain to transfer moving boxes from 41 Sheldon Boulevard to 2 West Fulton.
UICA will kick-off a week-long series of opening events at 2 West Fulton on Monday, July 25 with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by The Odd Ball – a ticketed event offering electrifying performances by nationally respected artists and an artfully prepared menu that will compliment the evening’s “expect the unexpected” theme.
The Odd Ball will celebrate the completion of Phase I of the capital campaign, allowing the organization to move into the first three floors of the facility which includes a larger film theatre, dedicated youth and ceramics studios, expanded exhibition spaces and an office suite. The Odd Ball will be hosted by Dick and Betsy DeVos, Hank and Liesel Meijer, Mark and Cathy Bissell and Kate Pew Wolters.
“Contemporary art has the remarkable power to help us learn about each other and about our world,” says Jeff Meeuwsen, UICA Executive Director. “I hope that this new facility will increasingly be a space where people can come to slow down, to connect and to be changed in some way.”
Events for members and artists will be held the following evening on July 26. The public is invited to visit July 27–30 with paid admission or attend a free community open house on Sunday, July 31.
More information about each event can found on the UICA web site or by calling 616 454 7000 x20
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© 2011 Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts
