Kalamazoo Times

Western Michigan University-Grand Rapids is set to participate in two major events in Grand Rapids this September: Tech Week 2025 and ArtPrize. Both events will feature contributions from Western students, faculty, and alumni.

“WMU-Grand Rapids is thrilled to engage in these events that bring Western students, faculty and alumni into the heart of Grand Rapids and its vibrant community of artists and innovators,” said Dr. Joanne Roehm from Western’s Office of Government Relations and External Partnerships. “We look forward to fostering meaningful connections and supporting the city’s continued rise as a hub of digital transformation.”

Tech Week 2025 will take place from Monday, Sept. 15, through Saturday, Sept. 20. The event will include technology exploration sessions, expert panels, and networking opportunities focused on advancing the tech sector. Western Michigan University will host several panel discussions at the AMP Lab @ WMU, a makerspace located at its regional site in Grand Rapids where engineering and design skills are developed.

The schedule for panel discussions includes:

- Tuesday, Sept. 16: “Making Waves: Artists in Dialogue About Technology’s Creative Promise and Provocations,” moderated by Jacklyn Brickman.

- Wednesday, Sept. 17: “Building the Future: The Digital Transformation of Manufacturing,” moderated by Dr. Steve Butt.

- Thursday, Sept. 18: “Engineering a Healthier Future: Tech Talent and Innovation in Healthcare,” moderated by Dr. Joanne Roehm.

- Friday, Sept. 19: “Tech on the Menu: Lunch with WMU Experts,” also moderated by Roehm.

Registration for these panels is available online ahead of each event.

For ArtPrize—an international art competition running from Thursday, Sept. 18 through Saturday, Oct. 4—Western Michigan University will present its first all-digital gallery exhibit featuring more than twenty artists worldwide.

Eric Souther, assistant professor at Frostic School of Art, commented on the focus of this year’s exhibition: “We are seeking to highlight artists exploring innovative technological practices to create moving images that provide new ways of seeing and understanding the world around us,” he said. “We are particularly excited to elevate this type of work for Western Michigan audiences and grow community around these emerging practices.”

The Resonant Gallery exhibition titled "Ripple Effect," curated by Brickman and Souther on the fifth floor at 200 Ionia Ave SW., will showcase time-based digital works from selected artists.

“We selected these 20 innovative artists because their time-based digital works create the kind of ripple effects that stay with you—challenging how we see identity, memory and what it means to be human in both natural and simulated worlds,” said Brickman.

“Each piece resonates beyond its medium, generating overlapping waves of meaning that expand our understanding of embodiment across all forms of life. These artists invite us to feel the invisible connections between bodies and discover new ways of engaging with our ever-changing reality.”

Additionally, five more digital artworks curated by three Western students will be displayed in the Prismatic Gallery on the building's first floor.

WMU President Russ Kavalhuna is scheduled to open ArtPrize festivities for the university during a VIP reception on Wednesday, Sept. 17. On Friday, Sept. 19 local high school students can attend a workshop led by featured artist Jess Tucker focusing on art using audio-visual technology; Tucker's live performance is planned for Saturday at Resonant Gallery.

Further details about WMU-Grand Rapids events can be found online at https://wmich.edu/grandrapids/events/.

For additional news about arts or campus activities at Western Michigan University visit https://wmich.edu/news/.