GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The owner of a Grand Rapids venue says a drag show featuring performers who have Down syndrome cannot be held at his building.

Drag Syndrome will still perform Sept. 7 on the first day of Project 1 by ArtPrize, DisArt, the local group facilitating the show, said Thursday. It’s not yet clear where.

The show was supposed to be held at Tanglefoot off of Straight Avenue SW south of Butterworth Street, which Peter Meijer owns. Meijer is the grandson of Meijer stores co-founder Frederik Meijer and a Republican candidate for the U.S. Congress seat currently held by Rep. Justin Amash, lately an independent.

DisArt released an Aug. 19 letter that Meijer sent to ArtPrize in which he wrote that “after deep reflection on the nature of Drag Syndrome’s performance, I cannot approve of their use of Tanglefoot’s facilities,” citing concerns about the “potential exploitation of the vulnerable.”

DisArt, a Grand Raids group that works to connect art and people with disabilities, said in response that to exclude the group “is discrimination, it is self-preservation, it is exploitation for political gain. It is not protection.”

The group also pointed out that this is the first time Meijer has been involved in approving or denying a show at his building.

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In a statement posted on its website, ArtPrize said it “has always supported free artistic expression by all participants and has not denied or screen individuals. Consistent with this, we believe it would be inappropriate to limit the participation of performers who have Down syndrome.”

ArtPrize says it will hold a panel and public conversation regarding the situation Friday at 1 p.m. at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

Project 1, a public art event being held in place of the ArtPrize competition this year, will run Sept. 7 to Oct. 27.

Meijer’s full letter:

Peter Meijer’s letter to ArtPrize regarding the Drag Syndrome show that was scheduled to be held at Tanglefoot, which he owns. (Courtesy DisArt)

Full statement from DisArt: