WMU expertise on display in Grand Rapids for Tech Week, ArtPrize

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University-Grand Rapids will become a hub of innovation and creative expression during two upcoming citywide events: technology “unconference” Tech Week 2025 and ArtPrize, the international art competition and cultural festival.   

“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,” says Dr. Joanne Roehm in 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 

Tech Week runs from Monday, Sept. 15, to Saturday, Sept. 20, incorporating technology exploration, expert panels and networking opportunities aimed at advancing the tech world. Western is hosting panel discussions at the AMP Lab @ WMU, a makerspace occupying the first two floors of the WMU-Grand Rapids regional location where the next generation of engineers, designers and other skilled individuals can cultivate their abilities.  

Faculty experts from Western will facilitate the following panels: 

Register for the discussions online prior to each event. 

ArtPrize 

Western will host ArtPrize’s first-ever all-digital gallery exhibit, featuring more than 20 artists from around the world.  

Eric Souther, assistant professor and co-area coordinator of kinetic imaging for Frostic School of Art, says the goal is to move new media away from the periphery and make it a main event.  

“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 says. “We are particularly excited to elevate this type of work for Western Michigan audiences and grow community around these emerging practices.” 

Curated by Brickman and Souther, the Resonant Gallery will take over the fifth floor of 200 Ionia Ave. SW with its inaugural exhibition titled “Ripple Effect.” 

“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,” says 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.” 

The Prismatic Gallery on the first floor of the building will also feature five more digital artworks curated and installed by three Western students.