The Official ArtPrize Limited Series Podcast Sat, 22 Aug 2026 14:19:35 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2638985 en-us © 2026 The Official ArtPrize Limited Series Podcast yes cc77fc0d-d91c-57f1-9694-8c1a666fa56b Steve Kelso episodic false In this limited series podcast, host Steve Kelso sits down with artists, organizers, and leaders from the City of Grand Rapids, Kent County and others to examine the impact that ArtPrize has artistically, socially, and economically on the community.


Steve Kelso is a former ArtPrize reporter for WOOD TV 8 in Grand Rapids, he is a two time ArtPrize artist whose band, Lou Baron and The New Lovers  won the public vote for the Rock category at the St. Cecilia Music Center ArtPrize song competition in 2015 and 2016.


Kelso owns Kelso Communications in Grand Rapids, a small public relations firm that specializes in media consultation and services and producing video and audio podcasts. Kelso Communications is a proud ArtPrize sponsor. Find out more at GetKelso.com. 



]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Steve Kelso https://storage.buzzsprout.com/5mzmb8hp0eouz9m773ldybipcg7v?.jpg The Official ArtPrize Limited Series Podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/2638985 S1E4 Mark Washington S1E4 Mark Washington Mark Washington is the City Manager for the City of Grand Rapids. Mark is also a former ArtPrize artist and in his previous role as Assistant City Manager in Austin Texas he was heavily involved in the organization of South By Southwest. 

Mark explains the role of the City of GR as well as the need to support artists. This is a fascinating conversation with one of the biggest ArtPrize champions you are likely to hear from. 

]]> Mark Washington is the City Manager for the City of Grand Rapids. Mark is also a former ArtPrize artist and in his previous role as Assistant City Manager in Austin Texas he was heavily involved in the organization of South By Southwest. 

Mark explains the role of the City of GR as well as the need to support artists. This is a fascinating conversation with one of the biggest ArtPrize champions you are likely to hear from. 

]]> Steve Kelso Buzzsprout-19685334 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 14:00:00 -0400 1126 full false S1E3 Birgit Klohs S1E3 Birgit Klohs Birgit Klohs is the former CEO of the Right Place. She has served on numerous boards and committees. She has "been in the room" for almost every major event or decision that has impacted Grand Rapids in the last 20 plus years. 

Now that she has "rewired, not retired," Birgit remains one of the most influential faces of the business community in the West Michigan Region. Her new role as the co-founder and executive chair of the New Community Transformation Fund is already making waves in the Grand Rapids business community. 

Here is what a lot of people do not know about Birgit, though. She is a huge fan of art and combined with her business background she make perhaps the ultimate source on the economic impact of ArtPrize. 

]]> Birgit Klohs is the former CEO of the Right Place. She has served on numerous boards and committees. She has "been in the room" for almost every major event or decision that has impacted Grand Rapids in the last 20 plus years. 

Now that she has "rewired, not retired," Birgit remains one of the most influential faces of the business community in the West Michigan Region. Her new role as the co-founder and executive chair of the New Community Transformation Fund is already making waves in the Grand Rapids business community. 

Here is what a lot of people do not know about Birgit, though. She is a huge fan of art and combined with her business background she make perhaps the ultimate source on the economic impact of ArtPrize. 

]]> Steve Kelso Buzzsprout-19671913 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 -0400 1181 full false S1E2 Eddie Tadlock S1E2 Eddie Tadlock Eddie Tadlock is the Assistant General Manager for ASM Global, the company that manages DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Throughout the history of ArtPrize, it has been his job to select the art that is displayed in the building. He has a history of picking winners. 

Eddie is a huge art fan, a jazz aficionado, and is well traveled. He also shares a love of this City and ArtPrize. Eddie talks about the past, present and future of ArtPrize in this episode and he knows what he is talking about. 

Plus he has a killer hat!

A big thanks you to WOOD TV 8 for allowing us to use file footage in this episode. 

]]> Eddie Tadlock is the Assistant General Manager for ASM Global, the company that manages DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Throughout the history of ArtPrize, it has been his job to select the art that is displayed in the building. He has a history of picking winners. 

Eddie is a huge art fan, a jazz aficionado, and is well traveled. He also shares a love of this City and ArtPrize. Eddie talks about the past, present and future of ArtPrize in this episode and he knows what he is talking about. 

Plus he has a killer hat!

A big thanks you to WOOD TV 8 for allowing us to use file footage in this episode. 

]]> Steve Kelso Buzzsprout-19671858 Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 -0400 1195 1 2 full false The Official ArtPrize Podcast S1 E1 Richard App The Official ArtPrize Podcast S1 E1 Richard App Richard App has been involved with every ArtPrize since it began. 
He was part of the team that brought us Nessie, a gallery owner, a fine art photographer and a retail retention specialist for the City of Grand Rapids. 

Today he sits on the ArtPrize steering committee. You could search form Kentwood to Rockford and not find anyone as passionate about the success of ArtPrize and you'll find no one who cares more about Grand Rapids. 

This conversation could have gone on forever except Richard is always busy.

I am grateful that he was able to take the time to chat and I am honored to call him a friend. 

]]> Richard App has been involved with every ArtPrize since it began. 
He was part of the team that brought us Nessie, a gallery owner, a fine art photographer and a retail retention specialist for the City of Grand Rapids. 

Today he sits on the ArtPrize steering committee. You could search form Kentwood to Rockford and not find anyone as passionate about the success of ArtPrize and you'll find no one who cares more about Grand Rapids. 

This conversation could have gone on forever except Richard is always busy.

I am grateful that he was able to take the time to chat and I am honored to call him a friend. 

]]> Steve Kelso Buzzsprout-19667207 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:00:00 -0400 1543 1 1 full false ArtPrize Open ArtPrize Open The open of the Official ArtPrize Limited Series Podcast

]]> The open of the Official ArtPrize Limited Series Podcast

]]> Steve Kelso Buzzsprout-19665195 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:00:00 -0400 38 1 trailer false