Nigel Barker
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR ACCUWEATHER - America's Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker, center, is surrounded by the AccuWeather MinuteCast team at New York Fashion Week, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014. The AccuWeather MinuteCast Storm Squad is at this year's Fashion Week to help attendees stay one step ahead of any possible precipitation and to navigate any Prada-ruining puddles. (Photo by Diane Bondareff/Invision for AccuWeather/AP Images)
(Diane Bondareff)
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Art Van Furniture is hosting an event in downtown Grand Rapids that features television celebrity Nigel Barker, a chance at one of 55 free sofas, and a $1,000 Art Van gift card.
Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center NW, will be transformed into an outdoor lounge complete with a dozen contemporary Art Van sofas on Thursday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Guests are welcome to stop by, take a seat, and take a “sofie” – a “selfie” photo while sitting on one of the sofas. Pictures can be solo shots, with friends, or even with photographer and host of Oxygen Network’s “The Face” Nigel Barker who will be on hand to help celebrate the event.
Hashtag your photo #ArtVan and #SofaSelfie on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram social media feeds to enter the contest to win a free sofa. The top 55 contestants who receive the most retweets, shares and likes by Sept. 30 will win a new sofa.
Art Van Furniture will host similar events with Barker in Detroit and Chicago. Individuals who are unable to attend the events can enter the contest by taking a selfie on a sofa at any Art Van Furniture store.
A game of “Musical Couches in the Circle” will also be held starting at noon with the last person sitting receiving a $1,000 Art Van gift card. Lanyards will be given to the first 300 people present, starting at 11 a.m., for entry in the musical chairs-style contest.
Full contest rules are at artvan.com.
The event is being held to celebrate the release of Art Van Furniture’s 2014 Fall catalog, which was photographed by Barker and introduces the new Urban Living Collection. Live music will be provided and the first 1,000 guests will receive gift bags that also contain the new catalog.
Todd Chance is the West Michigan Entertainment Concierge for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at tchance@mlive.com or follow him on Facebook , Twitter, Google Plus