Secunda wins again in ArtPrize contest
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Bill Secunda of Summit Township is in the ArtPrize money again.
His oversized sculpture “Mantis Dreaming” has garnered 10th place in the competition that boosts a top prize of $250,000. Secunda earned $7,000 for his 10th place finish.
His 3,000-pound sculpture was made from discarded metal, mostly from an old railroad tanker car, over a period of six months.
In his description of his contest piece, Secunda said he imagined a praying mantis might have a dream of catching a butterfly, but when it lands on him he stands frozen, hoping it doesn’t fly away.
Secunda has been in the money in the ArtPrize contest before. In 2010, he took home seventh place and $7,000 for his “Dancing with Lions” sculpture.
The year before that he won fifth place and the same cash prize for his lifesize sculpture of a moose.
Voters in Grand Rapids chose the top 10 finalists and then voters could go online to help decide the placement of the top 10.
The winning entry was a large-scale stained glass mosaic called “Crucifixion” by Mia Tavonatti of Santa Ana, Calif.
