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Weave of Life Project: In Progress

The ArtPrize Installation | Weave of Life by Nancy Fritz

Published 7 days ago • 1 min read

Five hours. Two people. 280 panels on a wall.

I brought just over 310 panels to Grand Rapids. In the end, 280 went up.

Here's why: as the installation grew, it started finding its own symmetry. The Flower of Life pattern has a logic to it, each piece connects to the next in a way that either works or it doesn't. Forcing the remaining panels into place would have broken that balance. So, I let the installation tell me when it was done.

Charlie was with me for all five hours. Every panel was placed by hand using removable mounting putty,no hardware, no permanent marks on the walls of Monroe Community Church, just intentional placement piece by piece. If you've ever tried to hang one thing straight on a wall you know how that goes. We were doing it 280 times (don't worry, I have a cardboard template to help me with spacing), in an expanding geometric pattern, on a surface that didn't always cooperate.

People stopped as I was working. They watched. Several of them said they couldn't wait to see it finished, that even halfway up it was already beautiful. I was so focused on the work that I hadn't considered what it might look like to someone walking by mid-installation, seeing the pattern emerge in real time.

That's when it hit me that this project was working. Not when it was finished. While it was still becoming.

I am so grateful. For Charlie, who showed up and stayed the whole day without complaint. For the people who stopped and looked. For Monroe Community Church for hosting the work. For everyone who has followed this project and made it feel worth doing.

Weave of Life is on view through October 3rd at Monroe Community Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Come see it if you can. Vote if you've already been. Entry ID 98621 at vote.artprize.org/entry/98621.

Monroe Community Church​
630 Michigan St NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503

Monday through Friday, 2:00 to 8:00pm
Saturday, 10:00am to 8:00pm
Sunday, 9:00am to 3:00pm

Admission is free and open to the public.

Weave of Life is a large-scale modular installation growing panel by panel, story by story. To follow the project, subscribe below. To inquire about the work, reach out at nancy@nancyfritzart.com​

Weave of Life Project: In Progress

Nancy Fritz

Weave of Life is an evolving, living project—growing panel by panel, story by story. This space offers a glimpse into the process as it unfolds: from early material gathering and studio moments to community contributions and new installations. You’re invited to follow along as the work develops and to see how memory, nature, and community connection are woven together over time. Subscribe to get updates directly to your e-mail! For project details visit: https://www.nancyfritzart.com/weave-of-life

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