All art starts with story

  

       For the third year in a row the Cascade Writer's Group has published an ArtPrize Anthology.This year's book, published in cooperation with the Great Lakes Commonwealth of Letters, features poetry, essays and stories submitted by writers from across the country. A few of the local writers read their works Saturday night at a launch party. It was a great celebration of the art of writing.
        Although the book is released in conjunction with ArtPrize and includes Cari Povenz's photograph of one of last year's ArtPrize entries on the cover, the anthology isn't an official part of the competition. It's too bad that ArtPrize doesn't have a writing component. ArtPrize has expanded over its seven years to include film and music, but not writing.
        What a shame!
         All art begins with story. It's what the painter strives to capture, what the melody conveys. It's what moves the movies.
        These writers don't have a number for you to punch in your vote, but you can support the art of writing by picking up a copy of "Imagine This!" for $16 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum or the Art Prize Hub.

Michele Smith-Aversa reading her submission. Photo by Lawrence Heibel.