‘Gone’: Artist discovers his ArtPrize entry has been vandalized

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — For the next two weeks, artists from all over the world will showcase their art for all of West Michigan to see and enjoy at ArtPrize.

But for one artist, 74-year-old Thomas Ackerman, the experience looks a little different.

On Monday, Ackerman set up his ArtPrize entry at Canal Park overlooking the Grand River.

“The idea was to show my life story, which was addicted to nicotine from ages 15 to 40. And then a few years ago, I finally realized I’d been addicted to running, adrenaline for the next 40 years,” he told News 8.

A few days later, when he went to see his piece on the first day of the competition, Ackerman was greeted by an unfortunate surprise.

“Came back yesterday, it’s gone. What happened?” he said. “I could see the base, sticking a little bit out of the water. Somebody ruined this, tore it all apart and threw the base in the water. Gone.”

Ackerman said the piece was titled Addiction Swapping to symbolize his drastic life change to quit smoking cigarettes and start running marathons. Since he quit smoking, Ackerman said he has participated in 12 marathons in addition to 23 River Bank Runs over the past decades.

But now, his work and part of his life story are completely gone.

“What they would have seen, the idea was it was a giant pack of crumpled cigarettes that were down here. And then from that, there is one cigarette sticking up, the filter of a cigarette, and then it morphs into a tree,” he said. “Then out of that tree comes these branches that have running shoes, old running shoes and medals, stickers, all stuff running, race-related.”

Ackerman remains positive and said he has come to peace with the situation. But in the moment, he said he questioned if his art was really worth it.

“The other question I had yesterday, sitting here with tears in my eyes, was ‘am I going to continue this? Am I done? Is art over for me?’ I don’t know. I don’t have the answer for that,” he said. “I think I will continue but it’s probably going to, it’s going to take another inspiration like that.”

The Grand Rapids Police Department confirmed to News 8 that a report of vandalism was filed.

“GRPD and multiple City departments are working with ArtPrize staff to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for this year’s event,” a spokesperson for GRPD wrote in an email to News 8. “If anyone has any information about this incident, they are encouraged to contact GRPD or Silent Observer .”

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