Now, consider this; If the Calder can do all of this for Grand Rapids, what would it mean for our economic, social and environmental future to revitalize our river and put the Rapids back in the Grand?  

La Grande Vitesse is perhaps our most distinctive landmark.  Known in our community, simply as the Calder, translated, it means ‘The Grand Rapids,’ a reference to the river flowing through the center of our city.  This summer, 2009, Grand Rapids will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its installation. http://www.artmuseumgr.org/home/page/Calder+Symposium+June+21

American sculptor and artist Alexander Calder (1898-1976) lauded for his mobiles, created this 42 ton work known as a stabile.  Standing 54 feet long, 43 feet high and 30 feet wide, it was designed to provide dramatically different views from each corner of the square. Although the sculpture is stationary, it gives the appearance of movement. 

It literally transformed our city.  In 1969 the Calder energized the community and made anything seem possible.  It sparked the city’s interest in other arts activities. A new home for the art museum, a civic theater and a symphony hall were soon built. The Calder sculpture’s birthday is celebrated with the annual Festival Of The Arts or simply Festival, http://www.festivalgr.org/ encompassing ten city blocks and attended by a half a million people.  We can also thank the Calder for our new innovative, LEED certified Grand Rapids Art Museum http://www.artmuseumgr.org/ and the exciting new $500,000 open art contest – Art Prize  http://www.artprize.org/  Even the food has changed. Grand Rapids, once a meat and potatoes town, is now recognized nationally as a diverse cosmopolitan downtown dining area, filled with hip and trendy eateries and nightspots to go along with world class art and a thriving community that keeps this area vibrant.

Again, consider this;  If the Calder can do all of this for Grand Rapids, what would it mean for our economic, social and environmental future to revitalize our river and put Rapids back in the Grand?