Glass Serves as Defining Element of ArtPrize 2011 Winners

The international art competition ArtPrize recently awarded $498,000 in cash prizes to 18 artists. The top prize of $250,000 went to Mia Tavonatti from Santa Ana, Calif., for her large-scale stained glass mosaic, Crucifixion. More than

382,000 votes were cast in ArtPrize 2011 and an estimated 500,000 visitors experienced the third annual competition.

Rounding out the top three winners included Tracy Van Duinen of Chicago, who led a collaboration of artists to create Metaphorest, a glass mural featured at the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology; and Lynda Cole of Ann Arbor, Mich., for her sculpture installation, Rain, at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids. Van Duinen and Cole will receive $100,000 and $50,000, respectively.