Finalist Davie Torres says "Yo!"

Davie Torres was born and raised in West Michigan. Growing up, he moved frequently which gave him the opportunity to see different areas of this great state. From small farm towns to the Big Little City of Grand Rapids, Davie has seen different peoples ideas of art and that has helped make him a well rounded person and artist. The piece "Got Soul" came from his idea to "add some flavor" to the competition. Also to give people something that they would wear and truly appreciate. Not just wear because their friend designed it. Graffiti IS an art form but sadly is seen as a crime and vandalism. Through Shirt Prize, the only crime in his piece is not rockin' his shirt! 

Meet finalist Aaron Strelecki

Aaron Strelecki, Is a 17 year old high school student who attends Jenison High School. He has lived in Michigan his whole life.  He spends most of his time just hanging out with friends, and having a good time.  His shirt "Scream", was made in an attempt to design a shirt that he thought people would like and actually want to wear. There is no secret or meaning behind the shirt, just that it would look cool on a cotton canvas!

Meet Shirtprize finalist Scott Gundersen

Scott Gundersen, a resident of a lively southeast Grand Rapids neighborhood, earned his BFA in Art Education from Western Michigan University in 2002. For seven years, as a full-time high school art instructor, he has been using his knowledge of and passion for art to inspire the next generation. In that time, he has had the opportunity to teach over 2000 students. Scott's artwork is held in many private collections around the city and he is a top 50 finisher in this years ArtPrize, with his work currently on display at San Chez Bistro. When not teaching or creating, Scott loves to read, bike, and travel the world with is new wife, Jeanne.

Nick Zyskowski is a fresman at Central Michigan University.

About the Design:
The design doves>guns was birthed from a collaboration between a teacher and a student in the fall of 2008. After a lesson and discussion on the work of the popular street artist, BANKSY had ended in Scott Gundersen's high school art classroom, Nick Zyskowski a student and Gundersen began a brainstorming ideas of their own, which they began screen printing for their friends and family. The doves>guns shirt was a big hit with sly yet serious social political message. The collaboration continued and a limited run of parody shirts followed, including "buffalos&bombs", "penguins&pistols", and "John McCain does the Robot", however nothing could match their early success of the doves>guns design. Their collaboration seemed to be all but over when shirtprize was announced. Can doves>guns make a comeback? Will the collaboration continue? Only time will tell.

Finalist Amanda Zechar says hello!

My name is Amanda Zechar and I'm a 23 year old lady who loves baking, biking, and theme parties.  The Cupcakerator is the mascot for my blog of the same name.  He's a fun-loving robot who dreams of opening a bakery one day so that he can reach everyone with his delicious treats. 

I really feel that my design should win.  It's all about having fun and not taking life too seriously.  That, and it would look mighty fine on a t-shirt.  If you love cute robots who bake cupcakes, do the right thing - Vote for The Cupcakerator!

Body Spots

Any bodies wanting to pick up shirts this morning can find us at Kava House in Eastown until 9:30 and at the Revue offices (Breton and Burton) After that until about noon.

More pickup locations gathering spots announced later.

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel