My Grand Rapids in Six Words Interactive Experience Opens September 10 at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- An interactive experience showcasing the six-word entries from the My Grand Rapids in Six Words (MyGR6) movement was unveiled this morning at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Celebrating the community of Grand Rapids, the interactive experience will be open to the public beginning September 10 through the end of the year.

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"The Grand Rapids Public Museum is a place for sharing stories and ideas each and every day, so we are proud to be a partner in this wonderful community movement," said Dale A. Robertson, president and chief executive officer of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. "This interactive experience will provide guests with a platform for their own creativity and get them excited about participating in this community project."

Created by Storytelling Pictures, the experience will allow museum visitors to read and interact with the six-word stories submitted to the contest. Using high definition projectors, the "Michigan Barrel Company" storefront has been transformed into a canvas of animated words as art. The interactive experience will allow people to create their own visual text art using Microsoft Kinect technology. By simply moving their hands, users can scroll through words, move words to different places on the wall, scale and rotate words, and arrange their own artistic configuration.

"We are literally bringing MyGR6 to life through an experience that allows the user create their own one-of-a-kind artwork," said Corey Niemchick, president of Storytelling Pictures. "The installation itself is also unique, as we're not aware of anyone else using the Kinect technology in a museum exhibit."

Museum visitors may also enter their six words online at the MyGR6 kiosk located near the interactive experience. Developed by Grand Rapids-based Icavia, the MyGR6 web site at www.MyGR6.com has been viewed by nearly 12,000 unique visitors in 57 countries. More than 5,400 entries have been received since the contest began on July 4.

Presented by Amway and The Grand Rapids Press | mlive.com with support from Citadel Broadcasting and the Grand Rapids Public Museum, MyGR6 is collecting six-word sentiments through October 4. The authors of the top six word entries, chosen by a panel of community judges, will each receive the "Ultimate Grand Rapids Prize Package" featuring local hotel, restaurant and entertainment certificates and other great prizes valued at over $10,000. Winners will be announced on October 19.

Complete details on MyGR6, including contest rules, are available at MyGR6.com.  

About the Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is a collector of treasures, a motivator and resource for life-long learning, and a community partner in the pursuit of insight and understanding.  For information call 616-456-3977 or visit www.grmuseum.org.

About Storytelling Pictures

Storytelling Pictures (storytellingpictures.com) is a full-service media communications and productions agency. Founded in 1997 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Storytelling Pictures specializes in consultation, research, brand development, screenwriting, film and video production, and editing for documentaries, biographies, corporate identity systems and advertising campaigns. The agency has built a strong international project list including a television pilot launch, a film festival and producing award-winning documentaries.

About Icavia

Icavia (icavia.com) is a digital creative agency in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Icavia designs and builds custom digital marketing campaigns and tools for Web, Mobile and e-Commerce platforms. For information, email [email protected]. 

About Amway

Amway (amway.com) is one of the world's largest direct selling businesses. Amway's parent company, Alticor Inc., reported global sales of $9.2 billion in 2010. Founded in 1959 and based in Ada, Michigan, USA, Amway offers consumer products and business opportunities in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide. Amway's top-selling brands are NUTRILITE® vitamin, mineral and dietary supplements, ARTISTRY® skincare and colour cosmetics, and eSpring® water treatment systems. The company provides product development, manufacturing and logistics services through its Access Business Group and Alticor Corporate Enterprises divisions. For company news, visit globalnews.amway.com. For media questions: contact Corporate Communications at 616-787-7565 (Michigan, United States) or [email protected].

About The Grand Rapids Press | mlive.com

The Grand Rapids Press and its online affiliate mlive.com are the dominant sources for news in West Michigan. The newspaper publishes seven days a week and updates news as it occurs on mlive.com/grand-rapids.

SOURCE Amway Public Relations