Avenue for the Arts hosts sixteen local art exhibitions per year in Grand Rapids’ largest community art gallery, the 106 Gallery, and its smallest arts spaces, the Artposts.
106 Gallery
CURRENTLY ACCEPTING PROPOSALS fOR THE SECOND HALF OF 2025. APPLY HERE.
106 Gallery is a large exhibition space owned by Dwelling Place and managed by Avenue for the Arts. It is Located at 106 S Division along the SoDiv commercial corridor in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Formerly the site of Calvin College's art gallery, it is now divided between a Dwelling Place workspace and an exhibition space. It includes gallery amenities like adjustable track lighting and six 10' x 2' x 8' moveable gallery walls, as well as six large street facing windows.
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS
March
Dialogue of Souls by Mary Jane Pories and Merima Smajlovic
Opening Reception: Thursday 3/20 from 5–8pm
Closing Reception: Friday 4/4 6–9pm
Open Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 10–4pm
This show unites the works of Merima Smajlović and Mary Jane Pories, two artists exploring the depths of human psychology through distinct yet interconnected practices. Their works form a visual conversation on emotional, spiritual, and cultural dimensions of existence. Drawn to each other’s spirit and passion for art, communication, and language, the artists share personal histories shaped by displacement and war. Their work reflects a search for identity, resilience, and healing through artistic expression. By weaving together personal and collective experiences, Dialogue of Souls celebrates resilience and transformation, inviting viewers into a profound exploration of identity and connection.
April
GVSU Illustration Senior Exhibition
Opening Reception: Friday 4/18 6–9pm
May
GRCC and KCAD Collaborative Student Show
Opening Reception: Friday 5/2 6–9pm
Main-ten-ance by Anthony Brazeau
Opening Reception: Thursday 5/15 from 5–9pm
Paintings and sculptures derived from the everyday materials of the maintenance worker in order to celebrate the nature of the job.
June
TBA
July
Critical Nostalgia
Opening Reception: Friday 7/11 6–9pm
September: The Red Thread, curated by Annamarie Buller
A group exhibition of work reflecting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and our connections to each other as humans.
PAST EXHIBITIONS
2025
January: My American Dream by Katya Grokhovsky
2024
December: Collateral Damage, a group show of work by seven Grand Valley Senior Seminar students.
November: Art Swap & Frame Giveaway.
October: Studio Work by Mark Rumsey
October: Hatred for Humanity by Chapel of Ghouls
September: The Trauma Project by Scoob, Juried Grand Prize winner at ArtPrize
August: Funkytown, a group exhibition of abstract, colorful work curated by Melody Hoffer.
June: Pharaoh Khalil Art Residency Culmination
April: GVSU Senior Illustration and Graphic Design Exhibition
March: The World is on Fire curated by Annamarie Buller
February: More Than Our Hearts Can Bear curated by Annamarie Buller
January: B.O.S.S. — Best of Senior Seminar, a show of work by GVSU seniors.
2023
December: B.O.S.S. — Best of Senior Seminar, a show of work by GVSU seniors.
October–Nov: Forest Fires: Art and Activism by Son Visual
September: Fresh work by Bryce Saber
January–June: Various programming by Dwelling Place’s new artist-in-residence program.
2022
January 2022: Dream within a Dream by Catbird Saintly
December 2022: New work by Kae Pershon
September 2022: New work by Ben Boss
August 2022: New work by Victor Fitzsimons
May–July 2022: Lavern on Monday by Kerry Murphy Rolewicz
.
Artposts
Artposts are five outdoor miniature art galleries organized by Avenue for the Arts that provide the public with an opportunity to see small-scale artworks in unconventional settings.
CURRENT EXHIBITION
Winter: Hum by Ivy Laurel Anderson
PAST EXHIBITIONS
2024
Fall: We Could be the Enemy by John Sproul
Summer: Metamorphosis by Robyn Smith
Winter: Winter Lanterns by Matthew Goetzka, Kristin Halladay, Tori Naum, Annabelle Brinks, curated by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
2023
Fall: Ephemeral Nature by Avenue Art Club for ArtPrize
9/14–12/14
Summer: Gluttony by Mandy Cano Villalobos
4/20–8/31
Five installations exploring a personal hoarding obsession, American consumerism, and a desire for belonging.
Spring: Grand Valley State University’s Space Studio Class
2022
Fall: Thunder by Kristin Casaletto
8/18–11/14
New intaglio prints depicting civil rights leaders by Grand Valley State University professor Kristin Casaletto.
Summer: Secure Fragility by Karen Hain
Opening during the launch of a new downtown event series, Third Thursdays, this exhibition was curated by local artist Craig Merchant and show the work of Detroit-based fiber artist Karen Hain.
Winter—Spring: Two Weeks Notice
1/14–4/15
Bridgette McGee and snicka are two Grand Rapids artists exploring the artposts as sites for miniature installations.
2021
Winter: FLUX
11/19–12/5
FLUX was an exhibition of five artists curated by Grand Valley State University’s curatorial studio course. Information on each of its artists can be found at the exhibition website here.
Fall: ArtPrize 2021
9/16–10/10
The Artposts’ inaugural exhibition was during ArtPrize 11 and featured the work of local art collective Good Manufacturing.
———
Artposts were built with the generous support of ArtPrize and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Their locations are a partnership with Fountain Street Church, Grand Valley State University, and Dwelling Place.
Exhibiting in the Artposts is a paid opportunity for Michigan artists with a preference for artists from West Michigan. Learn more and apply below.
Artpost locations
GVSU Pew Campus: The corner of Mt. Vernon Ave and Front Ave
GVSU Seidman Campus: Across from the main entrance
Fountain Street Church: 24 Fountain St NE
Verne Barry Place: 63 Division Ave S
Ferguson Apartments: Just south of the 52 Sheldon Parking lot LaGrave entrance in the small park.
