HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – This year’s Dutch-American Heritage Day celebration will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 14, with a celebration at The Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville.
This years keynote speaker will be Vincent Willem van Gogh, great grandson of Theo van Gogh, brother of Vincent van Gogh, the famous Dutch Post-Impressionist painter
Special honorees receiving the Lifetime Service Award will be Dr. Richard Harms, historian and retired curator of the archives for Calvin College, Calvin Theological Seminary and the Christian Reformed Church in North America; and Dr. Jacob E. Nyenhuis, professor classics and provost, emeritus, and director of the Van Raalte Institute at Hope College.
In previous years, as part of the celebration, there has been a student essay contest. Given the speaker, this year’s contest will be based on art. Students may submit “van Gogh inspired” artwork for judging by a panel of art critics. Students from West Michigan must submit their works of art prior to the Oct. 27 deadline in hopes of winning the top prize of $250 and $100 for second place. The top two winners’ schools will also receive cash awards of $500 and $250 respectively. All entries must be original works that were unaided in their development. Submitted art can be created with any medium including digital. visit www.wmdutch-americanheritage.com for contest rules and submission information.
The celebration starts at 5:30 p.m. with a reception and then dinner is at 6:45 p.m. The event will feature a traditional Dutch-inspired dinner and music. The Pinnacle Center is located at 3330 Highland Drive in Hudsonville.
Tickets for the Dutch-American Heritage Day celebration cost $15 and can be purchased by calling 616-726-8010 or emailing info@wmdutch-americanheritage.com; Attendees will have an opportunity to win a grand prize drawing which includes two spots on the annual Netherlands Waterway Cruise and expense-paid airfare, donated by Witte Travel.
