Editor’s note: Voting for the 2024 SmartArt People’s Choice Award has closed. Thank you for participating and for your interest. 

Fall in West Michigan is notable for many things. Cooler weather. Leaves changing color. Friday night football. Apple cider everywhere.

For the last 11 years, SmartArt (Students Making Art with a Renewable Theme) has been on the fall list for many Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) students. A collaboration between Consumers Energy, ArtPrize and GRPS, the competition rewards their creativity with awards that include scholarships.

One of the awards given is the People’s Choice Award, and that’s where we need your help. Voting is open now through September 12. Below, you’ll find pictures of their art and the artists’ statements about the meaning behind their work.

If you already know which inspiring piece of art you’d like to vote for, click the link to jump to our voting section: https://poll.fm/14190639

Hope and Rebirth

In the first part of my artwork Hope and Rebirth it shows a woman weaving. Around her are wilted and dried out plants that have died due to the extreme heat and lack of water. The woman notices that there isn’t enough thread left for her when suddenly she sees a butterfly pass by. She cries with hope that she can help the land return to its former beauty.

In the second part of the diptych, a woman and her child can be seen with joyful expressions on their faces. The root of their happiness? New plants that have grown in a land they once knew as dead. Together they contemplate the hope that has been given for the earth’s rebirth. If the viewer looks closely in the second panel, they can see that the new plant growth is reminiscent of renewable energy tools to represent the ways in which we can slowly heal our plant and still provide for our loved ones as the woman weaving did for her child.

Since our work towards rebuilding the earth with renewable energy is a journey in itself, I chose to have my work be a diptych to play on the idea of my paintings being read as books. This also informed my decision to use watercolor in order to look more like a book illustration. I hope that my artwork can inspire the community to take care of the earth for future generations.

The Earth Bike

The Earth Bike is an electric bike sponsored by Consumers Energy with the Earth. Watercolor was an essential medium. The colors convey a sense of new beginnings, renewable energy, and the feeling of home. A map of Grand Rapids is in the background, conveying the love for how green the city already is. Although citizens can always do more to support the environment and our future, I am proud of the people of Grand Rapids’ effort. The main idea is to encourage sustainable transportation for people all over the world.

My art project represents saving greenhouse gasses by using types of transportation that use renewable energy and do not pollute the earth. Riding bikes uses “minimal fossil fuels and is a pollution-free type of transportation” (Queensland Government, Benefits of Riding). Along with environmentally friendly benefits, bike riding is a good way to exercise and get moving either for fun, to school, or to work.

This piece represents what can be done locally to save the environment. We need to be aware of how our actions affect the world and do what we can to prevent climate change.

A Changing Landscape

The people of Grand Rapids understand the importance of replacing non-renewable energy sources with renewable ones to prevent the continued devastation that climate change causes to our community. But the truth is that change is terrifying and such a vast shift in energy sources leaves room for vulnerability in the unknowns, which can be paralyzing. What we fail to recognize in these feelings of fear is that, yes, we will have to adapt, but it is much better than the alternative. We are valid to feel this concern, however we cannot let it stop us from moving forward. Of course, fear is not the only limiting factor, but it is still a hurdle that must be overcome so we can focus on implementing solutions. Take a second to picture a stunning natural landscape, then picture it in the future.

Your instinct when thinking about climate change might be to see this landscape in a state of destruction, a manifestation of our fears about the future. Instead, I want you to visualize this landscape again, but this time, picture the nature that captured your heart before and add in a vessel that provides renewable energy. This new image is changed from the first landscape you pictured, but it is also not filled with destruction. No matter how scary change might be, it will inevitably happen, but it’s up to us, as a community, to encourage this change toward a future that brings us joy rather than dread.

Coalesce

Coalesce is based on how humans are responsible for the conditions of the Earth. As civilization has advanced, it has been constructing more and coming up with energy inputs and outputs. With the rise of consumerism and the demand for supplies and technology, people have started to build an Earth that’s more suitable for their desires, but it is not sustainable for living beings to live like this. The amount of energy humanity consumes has diminished the atmosphere and climate’s health. There are also health risks regarding pollution such as poor respiratory health for humans.

Coalesce is about Earth being stuck in a loop of recovery and relapse and that is shown with hands in Earth’s orbit with electrical lines wrapping around the planet with factory pipes and chimneys that have gas flowing out of them trapping the Earth to show how the planet cannot sustain this energy and is rejecting it. What influenced Coalesce are the people who work hard at creating a sustainable living environment by making eco-friendly changes. Coalesce also takes inspiration from the theoretical ideas of living in a dystopian society where no changes are made. It’s mostly about imagination and science fiction.

The Earth is one of the only planets in the solar system known for sustaining life and it is the most progressive planet for holding knowledge. A project that inspired Coalesce was promoting recycling by creating a scrapbook with wrappers and packaging. Changes must be made to restore Earth’s environment.

Hangman

If you can recall your childhood, do you remember the game hangman? In the game you have chances to guess the word right, but if you do not get the word right after you use all of your chances, you will not be able to save your player. In my piece “Being Cut Off,” I wanted to showcase the idea that this is our last chance to save our Earth from climate change. We are the consumers that have created climate change in a multitude of ways. This piece is a visual representation of how humans are wasting the only chance that we have at keeping our beautiful Earth and are destroying it by our daily actions. We are desecrating our world little by little and we can see those changes today. In my piece, the hands are created out of plaster and are not perfect. They are bumpy, have holes, missing fingers, and can crumble at any moment. This shows how fragile we are as humans, and yet, we are not taking the proper requirements to ensure that we are protecting the place we call home or ourselves. Through our actions, we are essentially cutting ourselves off from our only life source: the earth. With the use of renewable energy, we have a chance to pick up the pieces of what we have broken and can provide the life/ environment generation after generation deserves.

One With the Water

The focus of my art piece is to showcase marine energy as coexisting with ocean life in unity and in harmony; marine energy working together with the ocean and its creatures to equally benefit the same cause of protecting our planet. Additionally, I intend to express the pros and cons of obtaining and utilizing marine energy in a hopeful light, conveying the message that marine energy is a strong and reliable element necessary to build a clean energy future.

However, it is still critical to be carefully aware and considerate of the surrounding ecosystems that could be impacted by it being harvested. I hope that those who see my art are able to receive that message, as I believe it is an important aspect of all renewable energy sources to pay attention to. With part of the ocean being a whale in my drawing, I intended for it to showcase the ocean and the many creatures that inhabit it as being connected, or symbolically, one. Hence, one with the water. Since marine energy is harvested by buoys, I included them to display that they are a part of that ocean connection too. Finally, the boat is included to represent harmful nonrenewable energy in use, which negatively impacts ocean life far more than marine energy could. Even though there’s the possibility of marine energy impacting marine ecosystems, it’s incredibly more likely that it will benefit human and ocean life in ways simply unimaginable as technology advances, which is the ultimate goal.

A Sustainable Home

In a world of significantly increasing pollution, waste, and increased temperatures, it is time society learned to decrease energy usage and find sustainable energy. Solutions, such as enforcing clean energy standards for corporations, or installing renewable energy, have been discussed for many years. However, people like me in the younger generation may feel helpless, as if we cannot do anything to enact these solutions. I thought about my daily routine and sustainable energy. I realized I could contribute to reduced energy usage and sustainable energy through my very own home.

This piece, A Sustainable Home is an artistic pie chart showing the amount of energy we use for each household utility category. For example, the doodles on the left consist of air conditioners and fans. This represents that on average, 54% of the energy we use in the household is for air conditioning and heating. 16% of the energy used in an average household is for water heating, 4% for lighting, and about 23% for electronics and appliances. The doodles also show ways to save energy for each category. For example, LED lightbulbs save more energy than a typical lightbulb, and setting your water below 120 degrees Fahrenheit can save energy. In the center, I placed my house to show how all these statistics have a personal connection to not just my home, but to me. The earth is our home, and saving energy in our house can save energy in our Earth.

Growing Hope

Growing Hope shows the hope people must have to achieve a better future. When looking at the world, it’s easy to become lost in the hopelessness of everything. Recent studies say over 40% of the global population is living in areas affected by climate change. Even in our own neighborhoods, we see the effects that the environment can have on people. It seems that our planet is broken beyond repair and the easiest option is to give up. Growing Hope offers a different choice; not to try to reverse all the damage that’s been done but instead to take something broken and make it better. Git shows how hope and teamwork can create change.

Growing Hope is a photograph of a lot in Grand Rapids that has been forgotten. This piece transforms It Into a garden that shows possible solutions. The paper pinwheels represent wind energy. one of the most widely used forms of renewable energy. The painting itself is inspired by community gardens around the world and how they bring people together to achieve the common goal of bettering the community. To improve the climate, and ultimately the world, we must do that on a global and local scale. We must set aside our differences and work together. Whether that be planting a garden or greening the grid the solution is teamwork.

Growing Hope shifts the focus from the problems we cannot fix alone to the solutions we can imagine together.

Mother Nature

I wanted to draw a powerful image of Mother Nature, an image that would make you sad but also hopeful. I envisioned a powerful scene where Mother Nature stood tall gating into the future, her locks merging with the gentle breeze. The background. vibrant flowers bloomed. symbolizing resilience and growth in the face of adversity. This image was meant to evoke a sense of sorrow for the damage we have inflicted on our planet, yet also inspire hope for a future where we can work together to heal and protect the Earth.

I didn’t want this picture to be too basic, so I mixed mediums to add depth and texture incorporating a variety of materials such as graphite, acrylics, and colored pencils, I was able to create a dynamic and visually interesting piece that captivates the viewer. The combination of different mediums allowed me to experiment with blending techniques and layering effects. resulting in truly unique and eye-catching artwork.

I am glad about the overall result of my artwork. I think that it will be a memorable art piece in my mind. Creating SmartArt can be such a fulfilling experience. I am glad to have made such an art piece about a topic that I feel very passionate about. It’s wonderful to feel a sense of pride and satisfaction in your creation. I hope that this piece will hold a special place in your heart and mind, serving as a reminder of my creativity and talent.

A Flow

Hydroelectric power is a renewable and sustainable energy source that with its extensive pressure of power generates electricity. Water is a source that is essential to humans. It’s essential for many of the things in day-to-day life. I was very fascinated by the efficiency and success of the hydroelectric power system. This electricity is used every day in our homes, jobs, our communities and even to help the function of other renewable energy like solar panels and wind turbines.

In my artwork, I created a water droplet out of clay with waves of all sizes to represent the motion of flowing water throughout dams to reveal an energy source of electricity.

“Hydropower is the most efficient way to generate electricity. Modern hydro turbines can convert as much as 90% of the available energy into electricity.” I aim to show the amazing power of water and how it’s not only an essential part of life but so powerful to create energy, also the cleanest way of renewable energy. The amount of changes in communities due to hydroelectricity is impactful.

Locally, Hardy Dam is one of the three dams owned by Consumer Energy, located on the

Muskegon River. Hardy is the largest producing hydroelectric in Muskegon. Built about 91 years ago with a capacity of 31,500 kilowatts. Which is an incredible amount of energy being produced and used in our communities every day.

Rooted Life

Rooted Life is a sculptural piece made of twisted wire in the form of a tree with a paper-mache sun in its grasp. The tree is attached to a birch round to give context and stability. I created my artwork by twisting metal wire into a trunk and then separating wires from the trunk to create branches and roots. I then spray-painted the tree maroon and created the sun with multiple colors of paper mache. Rooted Life depicts the relationship between the current state of our earth and what could change if we harness natural energy efficiently. The barren tree represents the current direction of our energy consumption and usage and how it damages our natural environment. The dead tree grasps the bright sun, its source of life and death, as a last-ditch effort to stay alive. The sun represents the hope renewable energy gives us. Several bandages that resemble solar panels keep the tree attached to the sun. This represents my goal to show the way renewable energy sources can heal our scorched earth and give us hope for the future.

Will You Save Me?

This art piece represents the damage cause to the Ealth by the actions of humans. The humanization of Earth could represent a family member of yours, such as your Mother, Sister, Girlfriend, etc. The actions of humans have caused harm to that family member, causing abrasions, scars, and burns. By using renewable energy, recycling, picking up and cleaning pollution, you can slowly heal your loved one, and ultimately the Earth.

 

 

 

 

 

Earth Balance

Come look at the world I have made. How do you see it and what do you feel from it? My world is created from different perspectives. I want to know where you stand. Upside down or flourishing? What side is your world fixed on?

This project was inspired by Earth Day, and the fact our world and the people who live here are unbalanced and unequal. The fossil fuels we use are causing a lack of fresh water and food, which the upside-down world represents. Meanwhile sustainable energy resources like solar, wind and hydrogen power are flourishing which is what the flowering plant represents. We need to balance our world by using all sustainable energy resources and to save the environment. This project was made by certain found objects to avoid hurting mother earth and her children the trees, water, rocks, most importantly us. We need to stop hurting this fragile planet and start thinking about our actions towards it.

Left for Dead

My collage, ‘left for dead” is a visual representation of the urgent and devastating impact of climate change on our planet. As an artist, I am compelled to address the environmental crisis that threatens our very existence. Through the expression of disparate textures, colors, and forms, I aim to convey the overwhelming sense of urgency and chaos that defines our current climate crisis.

The collage’s central image, a swirling vortex of pink and green hues, represents the turbulent and unpredictable nature of climate change. The swirling patterns evoke the destructive power of storms, the melting of polar ice caps, and the rising sea levels that threaten coastal communities. The vibrant colors also symbolize the beauty and resilience of the natural world, which is under constant assault.

The collage’s edges, where the brown and purple hues meet the stark, black background, represent the fragile boundaries between the natural and human-made worlds. The subtle gradient of colors in this transition zone suggests the imperceptible yet catastrophic consequences of human actions on the environment.

Through ‘left for dead,’ I aim to inspire a sense of responsibility and action in the viewer. Climate change is not just a distant threat, but a present reality that demands our collective attention and response. By confronting the crisis through art, I hope to contribute to a broader cultural conversation about the importance of environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Ultimately, my collage is a call to action, urging viewers to recognize the urgent need for climate change mitigation and adaptation. By acknowledging the devastating consequences of our actions, we can work together to create a more sustainable future for all.

Aristocratic Threads

In my artwork Aristocratic Threads, you will see a multilayer piece that starts with a leaf, filled with green energy and tools for renewable energy. Inside the leaf is a lightbulb and inside the lightbulb are buildings. I’ve picked yarn as my main element since I see beauty in the different colors that can represent many different aspects of renewable energy. I’ve created my artwork with carboard, glue, and my main element, yarn.

Creating this piece was challenging, having to make sure that the yard was as close as possible as well as trying to have it go into one direction. It was definitely time consuming but absolutely worth it. Just like the way using the renewable energy takes more money and time but is worth it in the end. I chose to represent the harvest of energy from the wind because it is able to deliver important resources to the word safely. As humans, we have to take care of our environment and live smartly to do this. My goal for this art piece is to allow people to take into consideration the positive effects of renewable energy.

Nature is Flourishing

Nature is Flourishing depicts my interpretation of Mother Nature, a green-skinned woman with cloud-like hair as the subject of my painting. Her expressions are hard to read as she is smiling but shedding tears at the same moment. The smoke coming off her hair shows the trauma she has endured from humanity’s misuse of her resources. In contrast, she holds a windmill in her hands to commemorate humanity’s efforts to reverse the damage they have caused her. She sees this as a blessing and slowly her hair begins to sprout flowers again. Her belly overflows like a waterfall in gratitude symbolizing the rebirth of the earth, her child who she cares so deeply for.

When I was creating my artwork, I wanted to add elements of the earth itself, so in addition to the acrylics and canvas, I added clay to bring my portrait to life. My goal with this piece was to show how using renewable energy can reverse some of the damage we have done and restore the earth to a more beautiful place. If we care for the earth like we care for our loved ones, we can all benefit.

Modern Day Nesting

Seabirds and the threat to their lives caused by plastic pollution drove me to create this piece. In recent years, many of these birds have been found dead on shores. Their remains reveal upsetting amounts of plastic debris stuck in their gut. Of which they could not digest or let alone regurgitate. Statistics show that one million seabirds die due to ingesting plastic or getting caught in the trash. Seabirds and other oceanic life alike often mistake plastic waste for food and nesting materials. Tiny chicks will also ingest the plastic which they are surrounded by. This causes their chances of reaching adulthood to decrease as the plastic will reduce the volume of their stomachs. Ultimately, this leads to starvation and death. The materials I used were watercolor paper and colored pencils. The specific species of seabird I used in my piece is the Bermuda petrel. They are an endangered species with conservation efforts to keep their populations alive in effect.

Earth, Meadow and Broken Pieces

My artwork depicts a crowded city on the left side and a lush landscape on the right. These two sides of the painting represent the delicate balance between humanity and nature.

Emphasized in the middle of the painting is a large hourglass which balances under the earth; inside it is the effects of humanity’s misuse of natural resources. This demonstrates how without balance those on the wrong side of the hourglass could be buried under the sands of time. Along the separation line there are several forms of renewable energy including a hydropower dam and a wind turbine to represent how we can achieve this balance while keeping our planet clean.

In order to create my painting, I pieced together several of my own ideas in order to communicate my vision. I then sketched it out on a large canvas and used acrylics to add color and life to my work. My goal was to create a piece of artwork that shows the balance needed between humanity and nature as well as the ways that we can get there. My hope is that my artwork can inspire change in others.

Biobeadscape

Tedious, intricate, and time-consuming: all words that describe the process of this art piece. When I first heard about this assignment, I knew I wanted to do something different; a media I had never worked with before. I had a picture in my head: beads glistening in the window; lined up intricately to create a picture. I then chose to create an image of algae. When researching algae-created energy, I was fascinated. I knew algae was a plentiful and fast-growing plant, but I never knew certain algae strains stored energy in natural oils. A few years ago, I did a project on algae blooms. Considering how fast these plants can reproduce, making energy out of them could be a huge chance to improve renewable energy options. Not only do certain algae strains have natural oils, but they also produce electrons during photosynthesis. These are exported outside the cell, where they can provide electric current to power devices. Algae comes in millions of shapes, sizes, and types. Because of this, I wanted my art to allow abstract, interpretive parts of this project to peek through. For instance, the beads look different on a multitude of surfaces, as well as up against a window. This allows algae to be represented in a way that portrays the numerous types and utilizations of algae in the energy field. Throughout this experience, I explored and broadened my artistic skills and educated myself on this new technology of algae-produced energy.

Connected

My art piece shows a city being powered by the sun. There are power lines that connect the buildings to the sun, just as if it were using electricity to power them. By having the sun power buildings, we can reduce the use of burning fossil fuels for getting electricity, which causes climate change and also releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere that contribute to the formation of things like smog and acid rain.

My piece consists of bold colors made with acrylic paint. I chose this medium because acrylic is bright and bold, and I chose that to show how the bright sun can change the future. My idea was to connect the sun to the buildings to simulate solar power without including solar panels in the painting. My piece consists mainly of quadrilaterals in the city and rounded shapes within the sun. In the middle of the piece, the sunrays transform into the power lines to show that connection.

The sun is a natural source that is there every day, so why don’t we use it to power the things we use all the time? It’s better for the environment and it’s less money in the long run. I made this piece to influence people, to want this brighter future, and for us to fully use a renewable energy source to power bigger things instead of using things that could run out and have harmful effects on us and the earth.