Reclaim, Repurpose, Reimagine exhibition opens at SSU this fall
Bold exploration of turning waste into art opens September 4, 2025
“Reclaim, Repurpose, Reimagine (RRR),” an exciting exhibition that explores the act of transforming discarded objects into powerful works of art, will open at Sonoma’s State’s University Art Gallery on September 4, 2025.
Rooted in a wide range of themes – including resilience, diversity, vulnerability, and cultural identities — “RRR” examines how artists turn the forgotten and discarded into expressions of healing, resistance, heritage, and hope. Visitors will encounter several different mediums – from sculpture and fiber arts to painting, photography, and mixed media – with each work reflecting the unique narrative and vision of the artist.
Co-curated by SSU faculty members Eileen Parent and Stefan Kiesbye, the exhibition invites audiences to experience the intersection of personal growth, cultural identity, and environmental sustainability through the lens of reclaimed materials.
“We are excited to bring together a community of artists who skillfully help us reimagine what is art,” said Ed Beebout, chair of SSU’s Art, Media, and Communication Department and faculty liaison to the University Art Gallery.
“They challenge us to rethink what we throw away – physically, emotionally, and culturally – and what beauty and insight might be reclaimed in the process,” he added.
Opening with a public reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, September 4, “RRR” brings together the work of five dynamic Bay Area artists: Mia Feuer, Bryan Keith Thomas, Arleene Correa Valencia, and Richard Lang and Judith Selby Lang of One Beach Plastic.
Additionally, the show features selected pieces from The Recology Artstart Student Hub (TRASH) summer art residency program.
Artist Talk:
An Artist Talk will accompany the exhibition from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, September 25, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the artists’ practices and the stories behind their work. In-kind support for this exhibition has been provided by Recology. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the University Art Gallery or visit artgallery.sonoma.edu/