Imagine This! An Art Prize Anthology

Featuring Writers Across the Nation…and Peter DeHaan

In 2013, art enthusiasts found an exciting addition to ArtPrize: the literary publication Imagine This! An ArtPrize Anthology. It will add the written word as a new art form to the acclaimed festival. 

ArtPrize is one of the world’s largest art competitions (by cash awards) and is held each year in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Over 1,000,000 visitors come to view artwork displayed throughout the city.

Imagine This! An ArtPrize Anthology

Cascade Writers’ Group sponsored a national writing competition and selected winners for its first annual publication. Local writer, Peter DeHaan, from Southwest Michigan was a finalist for his poem, “Why I Write.”

“I am honored at my selection for this book and, as a writer, to be a part of ArtPrize,” said Peter DeHaan. “In many respects, writing is art, so this is a fitting match. I’m so honored to be part of this anthology.

An added bonus is to share the honor with three friends: Jerry Barrett, Sally Stap, and Jennifer Allen. We are all members of the same writers group.”

Along with winning short stories, essays and poems by writers from around the U.S., the anthology includes featured writers from the Cascade Writers’ Group and color reproductions of prize-winning works from the four past years of ArtPrize, including first place winner Chris LaPorte’s “Cavalry” and cover art, Mia Tavonatti’s “Svelata.”

Lisa McNeilley, Ph.D., Editor of the anthology says, “The Cascade Writers’ Group received hundreds of excellent entries. The final publication reflects a range of styles and topics and will have wide appeal to ArtPrize visitors. 

“It has been an exciting project for our group. We have been able to give writers a way to express themselves, and have also been able to give financial support to ArtPrize, which is so important to our community.”

According to ArtPrize Marketing Director Todd Herring, “What the Cascade Writers’ Group has accomplished with the anthology is truly innovative.

“Their passion for providing writers with new opportunities mirrors the same passion ArtPrize has for visual and performing artists. ArtPrize applauds this grand effort and congratulates all the winners, participants and organizers of the ArtPrize anthology.”

Wendy Sturm, Project Manager of the anthology, says: “This success is the reward from efforts by many contributors. It is exciting to support the dreams of writers who want to share their talents. Local Graphic Artist Ron Kauffman handled the layout and design.”

Imagine This! An ArtPrize Anthology is published by Schuler Books’ Chapbook Press.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.