event tracking
Mar. 20, 2025
6:00 pm  -  8:00 pm ET

Art for a Cure

Color outside the lines with Van Andel Institute’s Student Ambassadors at Art for a Cure, a unique evening combining science, education and art — all in the name of raising funds for Van Andel Institute. Art for a Cure will take place on Thursday, March 20, 6–8 p.m. at VAI.

Art for a Cure is a fundraiser organized by VAI’s Student Ambassadors — a group of passionate, emerging leaders from across West Michigan. These students are drawn to making a difference in their community by supporting research into diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s while learning valuable skills in marketing and event planning.

At the center of the event will be a silent auction filled with art pieces from students and up-and-coming artists from Grand Rapids. You’ll have the opportunity to bid on these art pieces, all while getting an inside look at the Institute and chatting with these dedicated student leaders. All proceeds from Art for a Cure benefit biomedical research at Van Andel Institute.

This event is free to attend, however, we ask that you register ahead of time.

Light refreshments will be provided. 

  • 6:00 p.m. Event begins and Silent Auction opens
  • 6:30 p.m. Brief remarks and welcome to Van Andel Institute
  • 7:15 p.m. Research update
  • 7:45 p.m. Silent Auction closes
  • 8:00 p.m. Event ends

Young artists from around Grand Rapids have donated their work to Van Andel Institute to raise funds for research into diseases like cancer and Parkinsons. Art donations can be made by clicking the “Art Donation” button above.


1. Donor: Sean Allen

This piece is a non-representational abstract oil painting created from recycled oil paintings of the past. The piece measures approximately 108×108 inches, symbolizing the ebb and flow of people entering and exiting one’s life.

A note from the artist: I am a non-representational abstract oil painter, transforming remnants of discarded paintings into entirely new works of art. It’s not upcycling—it’s breathing new life into what once was, allowing past stories to evolve and take on fresh meaning. My process is deeply intuitive, guided by the essence of my local surroundings, which shape and inform each brushstroke along my creative journey.


2. Donor: Tanmayi Dakshnamoorthy

Photo of water under Grand Rapids Blue Bridge

A note from the artist: I took this photo from the Grand Rapids Blue Bridge, and as I zoomed in, a gap in the water caught my attention. It reminded me of diving into the deep end or plunging into a challenge. The stillness of the water contrasted with the vast unknown beneath, invoking a sense of both curiosity and hesitation.


3. Donor: Tanmayi Dakshnamoorthy

Land of the Free

A note from the artist: This photograph captures two hijabi women watching the vibrant fireworks during a 4th of July celebration. The brilliant display symbolizes hope, while the diversity of the crowd reflects the unity and inclusivity of the event. It evokes a sense of the “land of the free,” where people from all cultures come together to celebrate.


4. Donor: Tanmayi Dakshnamoorthy

Temple in India

A note from the artist: This temple was already beautiful from every angle, but looking up at it from this perspective, it was completely striking. The glowing golden light streaming through the entrance added to the sense of majesty. The temple felt illuminated with life, inviting us in. It seemed to emphasize the power perspective can hold, transforming our experience with beauty and connection.


5. Donor: Tanmayi Dakshnamoorthy

Temple in India (viewed over water)

A note from the artist: This photo not only evokes divinity through the presence of the temple, but the entire scene itself carried a divine energy; I captured this moment after climbing a wall in an attempt to get a better view of the temple, only to be unexpectedly welcomed by the vast, beautiful expanse of water below. The water’s reflection of the temple bathed in lights formed a sort of invitation, revealing a deep connection between the different elements.


6. Donor: Tanmayi Dakshnamoorthy

Photo of temple in India

A note from the artist: I took this picture of a temple during my trip to India; this trip was in preparation of my arangetram (solo dance debut performed by Indian Classical dancers, in my case, Bharathanatyam, as a showcase of hard work throughout the years). I took this trip with my mom to select costumes and handle other arrangements, but most of all, it helped me connect deeply with my faith. My arangetram process was one of the most challenging situations I’ve overcome, and the visit to the beautiful temples in India, truly helped me find inner peace and believe in myself.


7. Donor: Tanmayi Dakshnamoorthy

Photo taken in New York of birds sitting on powerline, with one bird flying alone

A note from the artist: In this photo, a single bird is seen flying away from the rest of the group perched upon the power line. The moment serves as a reminder that we can always discover new paths in life and open doors for ourselves we never realized existed, if we are ready to let go of what’s familiar. Often, the courage to step away from conformity can show us to unexpected, even amazing, opportunities. Like the little bird, we all have the power to fly our own way; we just have spread wings that embrace the unknown.


8. Donor: Lorissa Reynolds

Painting of a cabin in the four seasons.

A note from the artist: The inspiration was a cabin that I saw on Sugar Island last summer.


9. Donor: Kaelee Rumley

Acrylic Painting. An exciting welcome from a furry friend

A note from the artist: When this dog gave me an exciting welcome, his wild eyes and big smile was unforgettable. It is a joy to paint experiences and moments and make them last a little longer.


10. Donor: Michael Henderson

Custom scratchboard art of Purkinje neurons (A) and granule neurons (B) from the cerebellum.

A note from the artist: This work is based on the work of Santiago Ramon y Cajal, who generated early drawing of brain cells, winning him the Nobel prize in 1906 for unveiling the structure of the nervous system.


11. Donor: Allen VanderLaan

16″ x 20″ canvas photo

A note from the artist: A view of the majestic Grand Tetons taken at the Triangle X dude ranch which is within the Grand Teton National Park.


12. Donor: Allen VanderLaan

16″ x 20″ canvas photo

A note from the artist: A view of one of the multicolored sandstone cliffs within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.


13. Donor: Allen VanderLaan

16″ x 20″ canvas photo

A note from the artist: Au Sable Light Station. Grand Marais, Michigan. Located within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Built in 1873 at a cost of $40,000.00 stands 86′ in height and a diameter at the base of 16′.


14. Donor: Allen VanderLaan

16″ x 20″ canvas photo

A note from the artist: Cinque Terra, Italy, a view of one of the five small cliffside towns that make up this picturesque area of Italy.


15. Donor: Allen VanderLaan

16″ x 20″ canvas photo

A note from the artist: Portofino, Italy, a 19th century fishing village on the Italian Riviera coastline. Known for it’s pastel-colored houses, high-end boutiques and seafood restaurants.


16. Donor: Allen VanderLaan

11”x14” canvas photo

A note from the artist: A photo taken while in Mindo, Ecuador of a Violet-tailed Sylph hummingbird leaving a flower after being refreshed with nectar.


17. Donor: Allen VanderLaan

11”x14” canvas photo

A note from the artist: One of my favorite photos from my time in Ecuador. A Violet-tailed Sylph perched on a small stump during a typical rain forest shower. I call this one, “Singing in the Rain”.


18. Donor: Allen VanderLaan

11”x14” canvas photo

A note from the artist: A photo taken in Mindo, Ecuador of a Buff-tailed Coronet hummingbird coming in for nectar.


19. Donor: Bruce Doll

Roughly 4.5 feet wide and 2.5 feet tall, the print was made from an image I tool at Fayette State Park in the UP.

A note from the artist: The beauty of the lake while looking through the ruins of what once was a thriving village just hit me. I Love the incredible detail of the masonry and the beautiful blues of the lake and sky.


20. Donor: Lauren Deeds

Watercolor flowers in a can, and professionally framed.

A note from the artist: As a fan of The Office, I was always inspired by something Pam said, “There is a lot of beauty in ordinary things”. This picture encapsulates just that.


21. Donor: Allen VanderLaan

Giclee, Image size 16 x 20 finish size 20 x 24

A note from the artist: A signed by artist Giclee titled “Family Traditions” by Morgan Weistling, 2021.


22. Donor: Allen VanderLaan

Giclee, Image size 16 x 20 finish size 20 x 24

Signed by the artist giclee titled “A Prayer for a New Life” by Morgan Weistling, 2020.


23. Donor: Lyndsey Bandlow, Grand Rapids Catholic Central Student             

Three pieces decorative painting, medium sized  

24. Donor: SHARPE

Framed and signed show poster from the 2010 show, Izzo Goes to Broadway       

Izzo Goes to Broadway signed poster from the 2010 show hosted by Broadway Grand Rapids. The show raised money for education programming in West Michigan and MSU student scholarships.


25. Donor: Alanna Wester

Oil painting of the Pictured Rocks on a 16×20 inch canvas.

A note from the artist: The inspiration for this painting was from a camping trip my family and I went on back when I was about six. We spent a day driving to the U.P. and visited many landmarks and waterfalls, but the one that was the most memorable to me was the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The image of the beautiful colors and unique formations of the rocks stuck in my memory for many years. One day last year, I was looking in my mother’s photos from the trip and found pictures of my sisters and I by the Pictured Rocks. It reminded me of how stunning the view was, which made me want to capture its beauty in a painting for others to enjoy, all while putting my own twist on the colors and composition.


26. Donor: Christine Cosgrove   

Decorative Coil Ceramic Tile of Michigan  

A note form the artist: For the past two years I have been experimenting with coils in my work, combining organic, abstracted elements with recognizable forms. For this particular piece I chose the highly recognizable shape of our home state and combined it with the flowing coils to represent the beauty found within its borders.


27. Donor: Jennifer Helner            

Flower pots, Giclee Print       

A note from the artist: I took photos of flowerpots in an outdoor market in Germany. I loved my trip to see my daughter in Germany and these flowerpots as to remember my time with her.

I joined the Student Ambassador Program because my family has been personally affected by some of the very things Van Andel Institute studies: cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

Art for a Cure is a special event because it allows you (yes you!) to have a chance to help support these scientists on their mission to change lives. Your presence at this event makes a great difference. We hope that by attending Art for a Cure, you will walk away with a bigger understanding of the research that is being done on these common diseases and what VAI is doing to help (and why it’s important for programs like ours to help, too!).

We hope to see you there!

I joined to help others even if it’s in the smallest way possible. I’m passionate because seeing others struggle whilst not being able to help doesn’t feel right so by raising money, I know I’m making some sort of impact. Art for a Cure is special because it allows others’ creativity to be shown while raising money for a good cause, it allows the average person to see the world from other views and understand more about those who need help and why science is important.

I’ve always been drawn to oncology and have a desire to help conduct research alongside the scientists at Van Andel Institute. I joined the VAI Student Ambassador Program to augment the awareness for the remarkable research being conducted at VAI and the thousands of lives that will be impacted from what they discover. Being a part of the Student Ambassador Program gives me a sense of being a piece of the bigger puzzle of the fight to cure diseases. By attending Art for a Cure, you can too be a part of the puzzle.

Art for a Cure gives local, young artists a platform to showcase their art. This unique event brings the community together to highlight the important research being done at Van Andel Institute. Everyone who attends will enjoy this experience that supports a great cause.

I believe that Art for a Cure is a special event because it supports research into diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s. People should attend to educate themselves on the efforts being made by the scientists at VAI. This event offers information and entertainment to raise money and support for a greater cause.

I joined the Student Ambassador Program because it is an incredible opportunity to be able to lead and contribute to planning an important event that raises money for the revolutionary research happening at the Institute. I am passionate about the research at VAI because my grandma passed away from a neurodegenerative disease a little different from Parkinson’s. The strain and pain my family experienced watching my grandma slowly decline is something I would not wish on anyone. VAI conducts revolutionary research that leads to new treatments and breakthroughs. Art for a Cure is a special event because all the proceeds go toward research at Van Andel Institute. By attending Art for a Cure, you are supporting the Student Ambassadors’ hard work toward making a difference. You too are making a difference and contributing to the revolutionary research at VAI.

I joined the Student Ambassador Program because it is such an excellent way to have a positive impact on people’s lives. I also have family members with cancer, and I understand what a profound impact that scientific advancement can have on patients with diseases such as cancer and Parkinson’s. This motivated me to join the Ambassador Program and make a difference.

I am passionate about the research at VAI primarily because I have family members that have directly benefited from recent developments in cancer research, and I am aware of the value of research institutes such as VAI. Additionally, I am interested in possibly pursuing a career in the field of science, such as the work that is being done at VAI.

I believe that Art for a Cure is a unique event because it is run by local high school aged students, and it is an amazing opportunity to support very important research.

I joined the Student Ambassador Program so I could get involved with an issue that I’m passionate about while also contributing to my community and gaining leadership experience.

I have a lot of personal experience with cancer and Alzheimer’s in my family and have witnessed firsthand the impact it has on people and their families; the Student Ambassador Program offers a chance for me to get involved with an issue that I’m passionate about while also contributing to my community and gaining leadership experience.

Art for a Cure is a unique student run event that raises money and awareness to work toward further research, treatments, and ultimately a cure. The event also showcases the work and collaboration of the Student Ambassadors.

I joined the Student Ambassador Program to get more involved in my community and get some volunteer hours in a field I am interested in. I am passionate about the research at VAI because in the future I want to study neuroscience then go to medical school, and a lot of the research at VAI is in the field of neuroscience.

Art For a Cure is a special event because it is created, organized, and run by students from completely different backgrounds but with the same common goal: to do our part in generating funding for Van Andel Institute’s world-changing research.

I joined the VAI Student Ambassador Program after losing my grandfather to cancer in hopes of helping other families in some way.

I joined the VAI Student Ambassador Program for the genuine wonder and information of how cancer and Parkinson’s impact people’s lives and generations to come and it gives me tools to enhance my skills in life and my future career. I am passionate about the research at VAI because both of my grandparents were diagnosed with cancer and Parkinson’s it helps me be further connected to them knowing that I can be a part of the research that saves their lives. Art for a Cure is a very special event; not only does it fund money for the research, it also gives people more of an idea of how impactful these issues are. Attending this particular event, not only does it give money for a wonderful cause, but it also showcases art that has been created by teens and local artists; it helps fuel their passions and helps inspire their creativity as well.

I joined the VAI Student Ambassador Program to be a small part of finding a cure for Parkinson’s and cancer.

I joined the VAI Student Ambassador Program to advocate for cancer research and help work toward a positive cause.

My mother and grandmother were diagnosed and fought cancer. I am passionate about the research at VAI because I never want to see anyone go through what they had to.

You should attend Art for a Cure to support research into cancer and other diseases while enjoying a fun event.

I joined the Student Ambassador Program to further learn about the institute as well as to be able to make a bigger difference. We have all been personally impacted by Parkinson’s disease or cancer so joining a committee like the VAI Student Ambassador Program has allowed me to be able to make a difference as a student with peers who have the same passion.

Biomedical sciences is a very big interest of mine and I want to pursue a career as a biomedical engineer. On top of that, Parkinson’s disease has become a part of my daily life; my father lives with the condition, and I’ve seen firsthand how it affects him so the research at the Institute resonates with me deeply.

Art for a Cure is a special event because it creates a platform for high school students to make a change early on in their lives. We put together the event in hopes of raising awareness and money for a great cause helping those closest to us. You should attend to see the beautiful artwork from the community and learn more about the Institute.

After losing family members to cancer and experiencing how Parkinson’s affects people, I feel the research VAI is doing can truly have a lasting impact on our community and wider world.

I joined the VAI Student Ambassador Program because I wanted to get more involved in raising money for Van Andel Institute, and be more involved overall.

I joined the VAI Student Ambassador Program to help bring awareness to cancer research. One of the reasons I am so passionate about being a VAI Student Ambassador is because my mom suffered from cancer when I was young. Our family quickly got involved with Van Andel Institute and realized how impactful cancer research had on her treatment. Art for a Cure is a great event to support VAI and their mission to learn more about cancer and Parkinson’s and other diseases.

I joined the VAI Student Ambassador Program because I wanted to make a difference. My aunt and my grandpa both suffer with Parkinson’s, and I want to contribute in any way to the research for a cure. I am passionate about this research because of my personal connections and the real impact it can have. When meeting at VAI, we are able to see the researchers and other staff and realize the importance and gravity of their work. It is inspiring. This is a special event, because we are aligned with local artists donating their work to benefit research. This unique art comes from the community, students and professional artists, who are inspired to make an impact. This is reflected in their work. I would encourage anyone to attend to not only see the art but also learn more about the research being conducted at VAI and how it has the possibilities to impact all our futures.

Art for a Cure is an incredible opportunity for both art enthusiasts and artists in the area to contribute to their community. By attending the event, you will gain access to unique art pieces, involve yourself in Van Andel Institute’s positive efforts, and express community commitment, all while furthering research into diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s.

I joined the VAI Student Ambassador Program to devote my time and skills into helping a good cause. Being able to work with people my age and show how much we can accomplish when the effort is put in.

I joined the VAI Student Ambassador Program because I wanted to learn more about cancer and Parkinson’s disease research. I believe that VAI’s research will bring about new treatment options that will help people win the battle against cancer and Parkinson’s disease. I think Art for a Cure is a special event because art can be used as a medium for viewers to express and connect to their feelings. These feelings can include personal experiences with cancer and Parkinson’s disease from the viewer or their loved ones. Therefore, people should attend Art for a Cure because the event can help bring out buried feelings and memories, which are beneficial to remember and face. By donating to Art for a Cure, the donors are not just supporting VAI’s research but are also indirectly helping millions of affected individuals who are hoping for a cure.

In the Student Ambassador Program, I have the opportunity to surround myself with like-minded individuals to actively make a difference in the lives of those suffering from diseases like cancer or Parkinson’s through research. Witnessing my grandmother succumb to Parkinson’s pushed me to grow my interest in medicine, and I joined this program to further explore that passion.

Event Details

Venue: Van Andel Institute 333 Bostwick Ave. NE Grand Rapids

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors!

Mosaic Sponsors

  • Baudeville
  • Miller Johnson
  • Allen and Nancy VanderLaan

Watercolor Sponsors

  • Grand Rapids Graphix
  • Stephen Kusmierczak

  • Rhoades McKee

Canvas Sponsor

  • Carnevale
  • West Michigan Endocrine