Nature artist Tim Marsh of Van Buren Township is one of the artists participating in what has been called the biggest art competition ever - with a $250,000 prize for the artist receiving the most public votes.

   The winners of the contest, which has almost $500,000 in total prizes, will be determined by the votes of the public who attend the event.

   Marsh, who has won six people's choice awards in the last three years, has created his largest painting ever, "High Society," which will hang in Open Concept Gallery on 50 Louis Street NW in Grand Rapids.

   While in Grand Rapids from Sept 25 - Oct 1 he will be featured in appearance/ painting demonstrations. The schedule will be posted on his blog on his website.

   One such appearance is called "Zoo Art Day with Tim Marsh." Aside from on-location painting, he will also be giving artist talks about his work at the gallery each night at 5, 6 and 7 p.m.

   ArtPrize invites artists of all kinds from around the world to participate in an unprecedented competition that will award nearly one-half million dollars to prize winners.

   ArtPrize, which runs from Sept. 23 through Oct. 10, is being hosted by the city of Grand Rapids and artwork is being put in place at locations throughout the downtown.

   ArtPrize will have no formal jury, curator or judge. The public will decide who wins the prizes by voting, using mobile devices and the web.

   "It's time to reboot the conversation between artists and the public. ArtPrize will be a celebration of art, design, and

innovation that will bring artists and the public together like never before," said ArtPrize creator Rick DeVos.

   The city of Grand Rapids has become an art gallery. ArtPrize art works and performances, professional and amateur, are being exhibited at hundreds of venues, all within a three-square mile area in Grand Rapids' downtown riverfront district.

   The city has offered up parks and bridges for outdoor venue displays. Scores of businesses will convert lobbies and public space for displays. One artwork is in the middle of the Grand River.

   "Our family sees ArtPrize as a new and innovative way to engage and support the arts for the future," said Betsy DeVos. The Dick & Betsy DeVos Family Foundation is underwriting ArtPrize. "Dick and I share our son's vision for encouraging everyone to explore the arts in a truly democratic way."

   ArtPrize has drawn thousands of entries, and art enthusiasts from across the globe are expected to attend.

   "This is a bit of an art revolution," said Jeff Speck, former director of design for the National Endowment for the Arts and author of Suburban Nation. "It will be exciting to see a city use its downtown area as an art gallery to share with the world."

   For more information on how to participate, see www.artprize.org .

   Marsh said he is excited to be a part of the event.

   Marsh won first place at the Visual Arts Association of Livonia spring show 2009. He also had a painting in the "Artists are Among Us Show" in Dearborn which closed last week.

   Marsh will have work in the 12th Annual Livonia Exhibition of Fine Arts Nov 1-28 and is working on a one-person show at the Lawrence Street Gallery in Ferndale for November of 2010.

   Tim Marsh's website is at: http:// www.timmarsh-nature2nature.com　.