Art blossoms: Steyr transforms empty spaces into lively galleries!

Art blossoms: Steyr transforms empty spaces into lively galleries!

There's a lot of activity going on in Steyr right now: The STEYR.ART.WEEK. 2025 brings art and culture directly to the old town. Around 1,000 visitors flocked to the city this weekend to experience the innovative combination of art, space and time. The event shows how artists play with empty shops and transform them into POP.UP GALLERIES, as e-steyr.com reports.

Curator Barbara Steininger-Wetzlmair emphasizes how flexibly the artists react to the specific conditions of the space. Art is not only presented here, but also develops from the surroundings. This creative exploration leads to remarkable works that offer visitors a new perspective on the empty spaces.

Diversity of artistic expressions

The STEYR.ART.WEEK. shines with an impressive variety of works of art. Nikolaus Searchtrunk's insect motifs allow us to look deep into the hidden world, while Anna Luise Schnur initiates a dialogue between the past and the present with her small-format works. Her paintings create a bridge between architecture and painting and address the now. Geometric shapes and figurative elements create a connection between abstraction and representation, as can be found on artweeksteyr.at.

Rina Treml's tree installation is particularly impressive and can be interpreted as a sign of hope. Ilona Eidinger's sculptural tapestries made from recycled fabrics are a sustainable statement, while Kater D. addresses the wear and tear of space in her “Time & Texture” series. Amelie Goetzl also impresses with her sequin pictures, which contrast with the simple white wall. The collaborative work of Kater D. and Anna Luise Schnur also fascinates art lovers.

A festival of encounters

The STEYR.ART.WEEK. not only offers space for artistic presentations, but also for exchange and networking. Florian Steiniger, the artistic director of the Kunsthalle Krems, moderated the popular Artist Talk and praised the opportunity for artists to inspire each other. Visitors were enthusiastic about the high quality and diversity of the artistic offering. An increase of around 3,000 people compared to the previous week shows the increasing interest and popular response from people, as the visitor flow analysis shows.

The managing director of TIC Steyr, Daniela Zeiner, also emphasizes the cooperation with owners of vacant properties, which makes this unique initiative possible. The entire organizational team would like to thank curator Steininger-Wetzlmair, who made a significant contribution to the success of the festival.

Art in public spaces has become more important in recent decades and not only offers aesthetic added value, but also the opportunity to discuss and engage with social issues. The STEYR.ART.WEEK. is an excellent example of how viable concepts can be created to increase the attractiveness of inner cities and make art accessible to everyone, in the spirit of “culture for all”, as Wikipedia aptly puts it.