By Kate Kocienski
Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is preparing once again for Collections & Cocktails, an annual fundraiser focusing on the Museum’s Collections and the stories, preservation and education efforts of artifacts within the Collections.

 

This year, the GRPM is offering a virtual event on Wednesday, May 19, along with small group, socially distanced, after-hours exploration of curated displays of furniture on May 19, 20 and 21. 

2021 Collections & Cocktails will focus on the Museum’s Furniture Collection, and will feature rare and innovative pieces such as a handmade chair by Grand Rapids’ first furniture maker, William Haldane, pieces by iconic designers like Frank Lloyd Wright and Charles Eames, as well as examples of new techniques and materials pioneered right here in Grand Rapids.

To participate in this year’s Collections & Cocktails, you can RSVP to the virtual event, purchase tickets to the self-guided, in-person tours, or to learn more visit grpm.org/2021Collections-Cocktails or call 616-929-1728.

“Collections & Cocktails provides the Museum an opportunity to showcase a specific category of its Collections, which helps to celebrate some of the special stories unique to our community,” said Amy Van Andel, Chair of the GRPM’s Collections & Cocktails Committee. “By supporting Collections & Cocktails, you’re contributing not only to the Museum’s efforts to enrich our local community but also to its goals of providing expanded educational opportunities and worldwide access to its Collections. As we are not able to host a dinner this year, everyone who purchases tickets to the self-guided, in-person tour will receive a gift card to support a local restaurant at their leisure. This is just another way the GRPM is giving back to our hometown.”

“The Museum’s Furniture Collection is vast and diverse, showcasing the history of furniture making in the city both in the past and currently,” said Alex Forist, the GRPM’s Chief Curator. “Grand Rapids began to build a reputation as the ‘Furniture City’ in the years following the Civil War with the creation of some of the world’s largest residential furniture factories. Over the course of the 20th century, the focus has shifted to the design and manufacture of fixed seating and office furniture, but Grand Rapids remains a Furniture City to this day. Raising awareness to support this popular Collection is crucial to continue to share the story of our city and make it as accessible to the broader community through our digital Collections and fundraisers like Collections & Cocktails.”

Funds raised during Collections & Cocktails support the Museum’s Collection of over 250,000 artifacts and specimens, caring for and preserving these pieces, including their stories and use in educational programs.

Thanks to the support of local furniture companies and partners, the Museum is adding several pieces of furniture into its permanent Collections including modern examples from companies like Haworth, Herman Miller, Steelcase, Irwin Seating Company, Grand Rapids Chair Company, IDA Design, Landscape Forms, Portobello Road, and others.

On May 19, 20 and 21, ticket holders can explore the GRPM’s iconic furniture artifacts, as well as displays by local furniture companies at a special time after the Museum’s regular operating hours. Self-guided tours will be timed entry to ensure social distancing, and small groups will be determined by ticket purchasers. Masks are required during the entire visit.

Along with the GRPM Collections, curated displays from local furniture partners will offer a full experience of Grand Rapids-made furniture. Furniture display partners include: Belwith Keeler, BOLD Furniture, Custer, Inc., Grand Rapids Chair Co., Grand Rapids Public Museum, Haworth, Herman Miller, Irwin Seating, Kendall College of Art & Design, Kindel Grand Rapids, Landscape Forms and Steelcase. Select furniture displays will be available to the public for viewing when visiting the Museum starting Monday, May 3 through Friday, May 21.

 

On their tours, attendees will have the opportunity to visit newly renovated classrooms within the GRPM. These state-of-the-art classrooms have been upgraded with furniture and design elements with the accessibility of all learners at the forefront, thanks to a grant from Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) along with support from Steelcase and Custer. A gift bag featuring New Holland Brewing take-home cocktails and gift cards to local restaurants will be distributed to attendees. 

Anyone interested in supporting the care of the Furniture Collections along with the thousands of other pieces in the GRPM’s Collections can do so through sponsorship of Collections & Cocktails or by purchasing tickets to the tours being offered. More information on funding opportunities can be found at grpm.org/2021Collections-Cocktails or by contacting Gina Schulz at gschulz@grpm.org or 616.929.1705. To register for the virtual program on May 19, visit grpm.org/Collections-Cocktails.