As ArtPrize wraps its arms around the city this month, it’s hard to see Grand Rapids as much else than a giant ArtPrize canvas. But there are other art experiences before and during ArtPrize that give you a front row seat to some great art that’s all local.

Before ArtPrize you can explore the ArtPeers Fall Festival (Sept. 9-11), a non-competitive event that was started last year to promote the work of local artists. Local businesses take part as well by becoming venues and businesses and artists collaborate to create a final piece. Sound a lot like ArtPrize? ArtPeers President Erin Wilson said ArtPeers Fall Festival has more in common with walking exhibitions like Free Radical Gallery and ACTIVESITE.

ArtPeers Fall Festival Sept. 9-11 Wealthy St. between Madison Ave. and Fuller Ave., Grand Rapids artpeers.org Facebook event page –Free!– Destination 1111 Oct. 1-3 1111 Godfrey, Grand Rapids destination1111.blogspot.com Facebook page –Free!–

“Like Free Radical Gallery and ACTIVESITE, we have matchings in very temporary spaces, neither venues nor artists pay any fees, there are no prizes, there's no judging, and it's quite grassroots from top to bottom,” Wilson said.

Last year, ArtPeers hosted 80 artists and 30 venues in the Uptown neighborhood. Wilson remembers the enthusiasm and optimism that surrounded the event last year.

“The number of people walking about the Uptown neighborhood last year, during Fall Festival, was a beautiful sight,” he said. “It validated everything we had hoped for. The Festival was a fantastic success, all made easier this by virtue of the universally positive experience.”

At the close of the event, you can take part in Salmagundi at Wealthy Theatre. It’s a celebration of music, live performances, and choreography by Dance in the Annex (DITA). Many of the venues along the street will host receptions on Saturday and Sunday as well.

You can also catch artists inside their most intimate space, their studios, during the seventh annual Destination 1111 (Oct. 1-3). The artists whose workspaces occupy the warehouses at 1111 Godfrey, just 1.2 miles south of downtown, invite you to a three-day laid-back artfest with a grass-roots feel, complete with live music and food.

More than 100 artists invite you in to the 1111 Godfrey complex, which consists of a North building and South building that occupy more than a city block. Artists span all mediums, from sculpture and painting, to photography, fashion, and furniture.

Co-Founder and artist Michael Pavona is proud to be a part of an event so rich in experience and diversity.

“The urban/cool vibe is demonstrated in the industrial warehouse district,” he said. “Being able to experience the place where the art is made by a variety of people, hallways proud with art, a few sexy experiences on a side of town which has some of the best hills in the city, the music — it's sure to stick with people.”

Bands to perform this year include Ribbons of Song, Valentiger, WaZoBia, Tinker’s Tea, Ohaus, Alexis, Four Lincolns, Benjamin Riley, Chris Andrus and Lazy Genius. Grand Rapids Coffee, West Michigan Food Co-op and the West Michigan Fencing Academy will also be participating in the event.

Photos: Top: Destination 1111; Right: A painting from last year's ArtPeers Fall Festival (photo by UrbanPharm).