Heather Boersma's "Year of Jubilee" won Best of Show

Award winners have been announced for the 2025 Michiana Annual Art Competition (MAAC), now on display at the Box Factory for the Arts. Voting for the People’s Choice is still open to the public.

MAAC in the Box is a juried, fine art exhibition designed to recognize and reward excellence of artists in southwestern Michigan and northern Indiana. More than 150 original works by 120 artists were selected for the exhibit.

Awards were presented at the opening reception in eight categories and Best of Show. Voting is still open for the People’s Choice award. The winner will be determined by votes from the public, with the winner announced after the exhibit ends on July 6. The public can view all the art on exhibit and vote for the People’s Choice at any time and as often as they like by going to www.gogophotocontest.com/maac. Each vote costs one dollar with proceeds going to support the Box Factory.

Nothing beats seeing the artwork in person! People are encouraged to get a first-hand look at the artwork by visiting the Box Factory during open hours: Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Thurs. until 7 p.m.) and Sun. 12 - 4 p.m.

Jessica Bohus, owner of Blue Roan Studio in Fennville, served as judge for the entries. An accomplished sculptor and glass artist, Bohus exhibits her work throughout the U.S.

2025 MAAC Awards by Category

Best of Show
“Year of Jubilee” by Heather Boersma, Kalamazoo, MI

Acrylic
1st: “Poppies Gone Rogue” by Kristin Hosbein, Saint Joseph, MI
2nd: “Saugatuck Dunes, Full Sun” by James Bednar, Stevensville, MI

Drawing
1st: “Pattern Recognition” by Linsey Tankersley, Niles, MI
2nd: “Reaching” by Laurel Kuehl, Kalamazoo, MI

Fiber
1st: “Listening to the Deer” by TJ Schwartz, Saint Joseph, MI
2nd: “Aine” by Colleen O’Rourke, Grand Rapids, MI

Photography
1st: “Purple Columbine Triptych” by Deb Potis, Osceola, IN
2nd: “Stepping Out” by Becki E. Utigard, Saint Joseph, MI

Mixed Media
1st: “Watusi” by Jeff and Theresa Heaton, Lawrence, MI
2nd: “Watch Dog” by Karen Wimbush, Saint Joseph, MI

3D
1st: “Legacy” by Becky Rotter, Sodus, MI
2nd: “Papillon” by Judy Hallisy, Saugatuck, MI

Oil
1st Place: “A Path” by Mary Broccolo-Derr, Niles, MI
2nd Place: “I Know What You Are” by Erica Roberts, Saint Joseph, MI

Water Media
1st: “Connected” by Matt Ambre, Saint Joseph, MI
2nd: “Summer Sycamore Ode #9” by Patricia Herman, Michigan City, IN
 

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View the artwork and vote for your favorite at www.gogophotocontest.com/maac