When Cedar Springs High School senior Andrew LaPree went to ArtPrize last month seeking extra credit, he got more than he bargained for.

According to Andrew’s mother, Tonya LaPree, Andrew is in Mr. Duffy’s Intermediate Drawing/Design class. He told the kids that if they went to the ArtPrize and took a picture of themselves in front of one of the ArtPrize exhibits that they would receive extra credit in his class. Andrew went with his girlfriend and her parents the Sunday before the winner was announced. When they walked into the old federal building, artist Ran Ortner was standing there next to his painting, called open water no. 24. Ortner would later be named winner of the competition.

“Andrew walked up to him and said, ‘hey, did you really paint this?’ and he stated, ‘yes,’ and went on to tell him about the painting,” explained Tonya. “Andrew then asked him if he could get a picture with him and his painting for extra credit for his art class.”

Tonya said that Andrew now has a 119 percent in this class and ArtPrize has made the class much more exciting.

Congratulations, Andrew, that’s a great keepsake!