Art blossoms in Steyr: thousands experience creative transformation weeks!

Art blossoms in Steyr: thousands experience creative transformation weeks!

The old town of Steyr was transformed during the STEYR.ART.WEEK. 2025 into a vibrant center for art and creativity. Around 1,000 visitors followed the call of the art scene and experienced a unique program that focused on the interplay between art, space and time. e-steyr.com reported that the artists particularly reacted to the atmosphere of the vacant commercial spaces. The vacant spaces were creatively converted into POP.UP GALLERIES, which not only put the artistic works in the right light, but also offered a new space for expression and interaction.

The curator Barbara Steininger-Wetzlmair emphasized the flexibility of the artists, who courageously dealt with the spaces provided. Diverse works were created that were harmoniously integrated into the local conditions and were perceived as an opportunity to create something new. For example, Nikolaus suchttrunks delved into the hidden nature of nature with his insect motifs, while Anna Luise Schnur created a dialogue between the past and present with her small-format works that were reminiscent of interpersonal interactions.

Artistic diversity and insights

The STEYR.ART.WEEK. offered a platform for a variety of artists who dealt with topics such as transience and sustainability. Rina Treml sent a signal of hope with her tree installation, while Ilona Eidinger addressed the issue of sustainability with her sculptural tapestries made from recycled materials. Monika Haider and Leuchtgelb showed different approaches to materiality, and Kater D. chose the worn space for her impressive series “Time & Texture”. What was particularly striking was how each work, whether Amelie Goetzl's bright sequin paintings or Jacqueline K. Böhm's Bettenburg, entered into a dialogue with its surroundings.

The response from visitors was consistently positive: many were surprised by the variety and quality of the art that was revealed in the temporary galleries. The visitor flow analysis showed an increase of around 3,000 people compared to the previous week, which underlined the lively participation in the event.

Art and space in dialogue

The STEYR.ART.WEEK. is more than just an exhibition; it transforms the demands and potential of art in public spaces into tangible experiences. This form of art, which emphasizes accessibility and interaction, is not new, as documented in the history of art in public spaces. Since the 1960s, there have been efforts to create communicative freedom through art and to integrate it into everyday environments in order to increase the attractiveness of inner cities. According to Wikipedia, this area has developed further through citizen juries and public consultations to achieve widespread acceptance among the population.

Florian Steiniger, artistic director of the Kunsthalle Krems, moderated an artist talk and praised the innovative format of the STEYR.ART.WEEK. This type of networking not only allows the artists to grow, but also gives the audience deeper insights into their processes and thoughts. The highlights included joint works by Kater D. and Anna Luise Schnur, which demonstrated creative synergies and captivated the audience.

A big thank you went to curator Steiniger-Wetzlmair and the organizational team, whose commitment and creativity made this festival possible. Art in public spaces will continue to gain in importance, and events like the STEYR.ART.WEEK. show impressively how lively and contagious creativity can be.

So it's clear: The STEYR.ART.WEEK. not only brought the old town of Steyr to life, it also took an important step in the development of the contemporary art scene in Austria. The organizers agree that this is a big win for everyone involved. The artist Anna Luise Schnur, who deals intensively with architecture and painting, sees her works as a window into another reality and as an invitation to everyone to enjoy the now. Your works are part of this exciting journey that connects art and space and opens up new perspectives - an invitation that will continue to exist in the future.