Each year at The Exemplary, the Popular Choice Award is selected by visitors to the exhibition. Each visitor is eligible to cast one vote, and the piece receiving the most votes receives this award.

The 2025 Popular Choice Awardee is Beaded Embroidery Box Top stitched by Debbie Stiehler. Other awards given to this work are 1^st Place – Professional Original, and Judge’s Choice.

Here is Debbie’s artist statement:

This original design started with the purchase of the Raku element in the center. Each of the four panels surrounding the center are stitched with a band of peyote bead work and rows of seed beads, semi-precious gemstones, and crystal beads. It was very satisfying to use some of the beads that I have been collecting for many years. The design is embedded into a handmade wooden box.