09/29/2026
We are thrilled to share that one of our local West Michigan artists, Ron Koole, who submitted a piece to Art Prize, an international art competition and cultural festival held annually in Grand Rapids, Michigan, will have his art on display! Ron's piece features insulin bottles that he has saved since his diagnosis and captures his story and how living with T1D means having No Days Off.
After living with Type 1 diabetes for 52 years, Ron Koole is turning a lifetime of insulin into art. Since his diagnosis in 1974, Ron has saved more than 1,150 of his empty insulin vials. This fall, those vials will become part of his ArtPrize 2026 piece, No Days Off, featuring a large-scale syringe sculpture and a “trophy” made from the vials he has collected throughout his life.
The title, inspired by professional hockey player Max Domi’s book No Days Off, reflects a reality Ron knows all too well: living with Type 1 diabetes is 24/7 and there are no days off.
Ron hopes his piece helps people understand that reality, celebrate how far diabetes care has come, and inspire hope for a cure. Most of all, he hopes to connect with others who have spent their own lives doing the same work, day after day.
Ron’s piece will be on display at Park Church in downtown Grand Rapids during ArtPrize 2026. Stay tuned for a local T1D community meet-up at Park Church to support Ron's work and bring together those living with and/or caring for someone with Type 1 Diabetes.
