SteinbachOnline.com: Steinbach art exhibit closes applications due to record level submissions

The Steinbach Arts Council (SAC) has shut down applications to its Southeast Open Judged Exhibit (SOJE) but not because they don’t want more submissions.

“We’ve had an overwhelming response, which is so great,” says Cassandra Kornelsen, manager of SAC’s community programs. “We have gone up to over 150 entries and submissions, and we are out of room — we have maxed out our space.”

The SAC says this is the largest number of registrations so far, in 45 years of service.

Kornelsen says, to maneuver around some of the space challenges in the building, the arts council is opening up the basement of their newly expanded Hall Gallery. 

“We’re definitely utilizing our space,” she says, noting there could be potential for the SAC to reconfigure how the exhibit looks in the future.

Kornelsen says SOJE had a 30 per cent increase from the number of submissions they saw last year, which she attributes to communication about the event, and people being excited about the SAC.

“People want their artwork seen, either just in the competitive area, or they want it in the noncompetitive area. They just want it to be seen,” she says, urging artists to apply again next year.

“(SOJE) shows the different talent in the southeast. There’s so many hidden gems, and there’s so many people that feel like, ‘I don’t have 30 or 40 pieces that I can apply for an exhibit, but I have two key ones that I would love to share.’

“This gives an opportunity for amateur artists, and established artists that don’t have all those pieces together, to put their artwork in and still feel appreciated for their work,” Kornelsen says.

SOJE’s opening ceremony is slated for Feb. 28, with artwork on display until March 28, 2025. 

Well over 100 people are expected to be in attendance.

This article was originall published by SteinbachOnline.com: https://steinbachonline.com/articles/steinbach-art-exhibit-closes-applications-due-to-record-level-submissions