Ottawa County unveils 2026 Art Trust winners, expanding permanent public collection
Ottawa County’s permanent art collection is growing by five distinct pieces following the announcement of the 2026 Ottawa County Art Trust exhibition winners.
GRAND HAVEN — Ottawa County’s permanent art collection is growing by five distinct pieces following the announcement of the 2026 Ottawa County Art Trust exhibition winners.
The winning entries were unveiled this week during a reception and awards ceremony at the Ottawa County Administration Building, marking another chapter in the county's decade-long effort to preserve regional visual arts.
Read More: Art Trust returns, offering Ottawa County artists a chance to have their work displayed
This year’s winning selections, which will be purchased by the county for its permanent collection, span a diverse range of mediums:
- Sean Sterzer: "Farm & Field" (Cut Paper)
- Michele Gort: "Joyful Series-Joy" (Oil)
- Heather Persch: "Ottawa Blues" (Acrylic)
- Nancy Sackrison: "Beach Music" (Pastel)
- Elizabeth Van Ark: "Memory Branches" (Ceramic, wood fire)
From left: "Farm & Field" by Sean Sterzer, "Joyful Series-Joy" by Michele Gort, "Ottawa Blues" by Heather Persch, "Beach Music" by Nancy Sackrison, and "Memory Branches" by Elizabeth Van Ark. [Courtesy]
Jami Mika, a prominent local ceramist and designer, served as this year’s juror. Mika was tasked with narrowing down a competitive field of 113 entries submitted by 64 local artists.
In a departure from tradition, county organizers introduced a new element to the exhibition this year. Employees will now have the opportunity to vote on an additional piece of artwork to be acquired for the permanent collection. The "employee's choice" selection is scheduled to be announced later this summer.
Established in 2018, the Ottawa County Art Trust was created to safeguard the region's cultural legacy. With this year's additions, the permanent collection will expand to 97 pieces from dozens of local creators.
The acquired works are rotated throughout public spaces, conference rooms and hallways in county facilities to enrich the daily environment for residents and staff alike.
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If you go
The public exhibition is currently open and free to attend.
- Location: Ottawa County Administration Building
- Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays
- Duration: On display through Sept. 3
Artwork not selected for the permanent collection remains available for public purchase, with proceeds supporting local artists and the Holland Area Arts Council. For purchase inquiries, contact Shannon Felgner at sfelgner@miottawa.org. Artists interested in future exhibitions can register online for annual updates.
— Submitted by Ottawa County. To submit a news tip, email newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.
