The Owatonna Arts Center (OAC) is calling for submissions for its 73rd annual Steele County Arts Exhibition, with the submission period open through April 30 and the exhibition running from May 3 to May 31. Artistic Director Silvan Durban, who has been with the center for 48 years, notes that all forms of physical media are accepted and there is no specified theme, encouraging broad participation from both returning and new artists. The exhibition continues a local tradition that began in the 1930s with the Owatonna Arts Project supported by the University of Minnesota and the Carnegie Foundation.
This exhibition matters because it serves as a vital platform for community-based visual arts, showcasing the creative talent of Steele County and fostering local engagement with art. By removing barriers like a required theme or prizes, the OAC emphasizes expression and community connection over competition, helping to sustain a long-standing arts lineage in Owatonna. Such local exhibitions are essential for nurturing emerging artists and reinforcing the role of art in everyday life, especially in smaller communities where access to gallery exposure may be limited.