Photo credit: Joe Duncan, pictured left, with daughter Cora, pictured right, making art together.
Local artist Joe Duncan has been selected as one of five finalists for the prestigious ArtPrize Pitch Night Kentucky, a statewide competition that grants $10,000 to an artist to bring a large-scale project to life for exhibition at ArtPrize 2025 in Grand Rapids, Michigan—one of the most renowned competitions in the world.
According to a release, ArtPrize Pitch Night Kentucky, in collaboration with the KMAC Contemporary Art Museum, showcases bold and visionary projects from across the Commonwealth. Duncan’s proposal, titled “American Mythology,” delves into themes of perception and connection in the narratives we create about ourselves through a large-scale, interactive installation combining relief carving, quilting, and audience participation.
In a written statement, Duncan said being selected as a finalist and being able to share his art is a big honor. He noted that to represent not only our region but rural artists in the fine arts landscape is incredibly exciting. Duncan added that he can’t wait to see the other finalists’ visions and celebrate the arts and exchange of ideas.
ArtPrize Kentucky Pitch Night is set to take place at the KMAC Museum on Thursday, where five artists from Kentucky will present their proposals live to a panel of judges. One artist will be awarded funding and the opportunity to exhibit at ArtPrize this fall, with their work displayed at a prominent venue in Grand Rapids from September 18 through October 4.
For more information on Pitch Night and ArtPrize, click here.
