One-offs & soirees in downtown Grand Rapids

Former home of network180, a Kent County based organization that offers mental health services, the building at 833 Lake Dr., SE, will be the future home of LaFontsee Galleries/Underground Studio in the spring of 2011. http://www.lafontsee.us

On Friday, October 22, Site:Lab, a non-profit organization, is hosting an art event to showcase the new location before work begins and the gallery opens as a permanent home for LaFontsee Galleries. Site:Lab, which is comprised of curator & former ActiveSite creative director, Paul Amenta and exhibition coordinator, Tom Clinton, works locally within the business, education, art, and cultural communities to provide temporary, site-specific art projects aimed at creating collaborative environs within said communities. http://site-lab.org For this event in particular, students from schools, including GVSU, Kendall, and Calvin, as well as the Red Cross, are creating site-specific artwork. Because the building is set to be completely renovated, artists were given the freedom to construct or deconstruct any part of their work space, including knocking down walls, punching holes in the ceiling, or re-purposing old materials found in the building. Carpenters working with Site:Lab re-purposed cabinet doors and drawers to create DJ booths and bars. In addition to great art, there will be local DJs, several lounge areas, and a cash bar. One area will be based on and designed around social media. Red Pigeon, a local marketing and advertising firm will provide QR codes and micro-cinema, pulling photos, videos, and text off from the internet from people posting from the event. Another exciting part to this event is called 'Scavenger'. An electronic punch card is issued to each participant and various challenges will be available. For each correct answer, points are awarded and can later be redeemed for prizes.

And as if this event wasn't impressive enough, Site:Lab coincides with the Avenue for the Arts, which will be taking over vacant storefronts to host local student groups and artists. Many other businesses and galleries in both neighborhoods will have extended hours and gallery openings. http://www.avenueforthearts.com In East Hills, Richard App Gallery & Byrneboehm Gallery will have extended hours, and on the Avenue, the DAAC, Sanctuary Folk Art, and Vertigo Music will also have extended hours. Many other area businesses will be hosting artists as well. Free transportation will be available between each major location so navigating through town and parking should not be issues. This event starts at 5pm and is completely free of charge.