Elijah Haswell: Operation G.R.A.M. (Grannies Raid an Art Museum)

The Grand Rapids Art Museum is proud to host a site-specific commission by Michigan artist Elijah Haswell. Elijah Haswell: Operation G.R.A.M. is an immersive, large-scale illustration that transforms the museum’s Monroe Center façade into a joyful, ever-unfolding world of discovery. Haswell’s signature wimmelbild illustrations — dense landscapes teeming with intricate details and hidden narratives — invite the public to enter a visually rich experience that rewards curiosity and connection. Haswell worked closely with GRAM to incorporate references specific to Grand Rapids, including local architecture, community events, and characters that reflect the diversity of our city. Haswell’s illustration includes 425 works of art from GRAM’s collections and 285 meandering characters causing chaos at every turn. 

Elijah Haswell: Operation G.R.A.M. transforms a pedestrian thoroughfare into a living, breathing canvas of stories — where every passerby becomes an explorer, every detail offers a new surprise, and every individual can find a piece of themselves reflected in the artwork.