Visitors to The B.O.B., the iconic Big Old Building in downtown Grand Rapids, have discovered more than entertainment venues over the past few weeks. Among the restaurants and clubs at 20 Monroe Avenue NW stands a remarkable sculpture called "Arc of Redemption," marking a historic first for the renowned ArtPrize competition.

The sculpture was created by more than 30 inmates enrolled in the welding program at the Muskegon Correctional Facility (MCF). According to the artists' statement, the piece reflects their journey of learning new skills, developing discipline, and pursuing a second chance at life. This marks the first time in ArtPrize's 15-year history that incarcerated individuals have been able to coordinate and submit an entry to the international art competition.

Angela Leslie, school principal at Muskegon and Brooks Correctional Facility, explained the significance of this achievement to MLive. "There's quite a process to get this approved through the ranks, so once that was approved, the inmates only had about three to four months," Leslie said. "It was a short window of time they had, but they worked on it pretty much every day during class."

The vision for bringing inmates together in this cohesive learning environment came from Jesse Oosterhouse, the welding trades instructor at the facility. The sculpture depicts a man welding and highlights the effort and focus involved in both craftsmanship and personal growth. For the creators, learning to weld has represented far more than acquiring a trade skill – it has been a crucial step toward rebuilding their lives.

Through the physical work of welding, participants have begun to shape not only metal but also their futures. The artists' statement describes the sculpture as a powerful example of how education and hands-on training can support personal change, resilience, and the hope of a better path forward. The inmates who participated come from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, with few having any welding or metalworking experience before enrolling in the program.

The Michigan Department of Corrections offers various programs dedicated to offender success, with each prison in the state operating a school that provides classes related to General Educational Development (GED), employment readiness, trades, and other skills. At MCF specifically, inmates with one year remaining until release have the opportunity to learn welding and earn national certifications in four common welding processes. The instruction incorporates academic content, technical skills, and workplace behaviors necessary for success in the field.

The 3D-welded ArtPrize piece showcases creative use of materials, constructed from various scraps of metal and featuring copper wires for shoelaces. The sculpture depicts a welder holding a plaque inscribed with the words "success," "career," "dignity," "hope," "freedom," "stability," "purpose," and "family." Along the bottom of the sculpture, the MCF inmates who worked on the project inscribed their initials, adding a personal touch to their collaborative effort.

Leslie emphasized the profound impact the project has had on the participants. "When they saw where it would be displayed, there was a sense of pride, and they were happy that the public could truly appreciate their work," she said about Arc of Redemption. "Most students come in with no experience, no knowledge of welding, so Jesse basically worked with them from ground zero."

The primary goal of these programs is to prepare prisoners for successful reentry into the workforce upon their release, and initiatives like this welding program serve as powerful motivation for participants to continue their personal development. Leslie noted that while obtaining the necessary approvals for such projects takes considerable time, the effort proves worthwhile for the transformative impact on the inmates involved.

"We're the only program across the state that has done this ever, so it's a special thing," Leslie said about the historic ArtPrize entry. "I think it's significantly impacted the inmates; they are just so much more confident, especially because their families are out there seeing it." The 1903 historic building serves as an ArtPrize venue for the competition's 15th year, hosting the sculpture among thousands of entries from 930 artists across 155 venues throughout downtown Grand Rapids and surrounding neighborhoods.

Arc of Redemption will remain on display at The B.O.B. through October 4, following the ArtPrize awards ceremony in downtown Grand Rapids. Public voting for the competition remains open until 10 p.m. on Thursday, with more information available on the official ArtPrize website.