Events
Artist-in-Residence Exhibition + Reception
Join Transforming Trash to celebrate the unveiling of new work by Artist-in-Residence Jori Jori, a multidisciplinary artist based in Northern California.
Using discarded textiles diverted from Olmsted County’s waste stream, Jori creates sculptural works inspired by mythology, the body, and the natural world. Step into a world where discarded materials tell their stories and take on new life.
Artist Talk 5:30pm
Mask Make-It Station
Join Transforming Trash artist-in-residence Jori Jori for a hands-on, judgement-free session of trash art: build a mask from reclaimed materials, work from provided examples, or make up your own approach entirely.
Drop-in between 1-4pm during Thursdays Downtown. No experience needed. No "right" way to do it. Just cardboard, hot glue, gathered scraps, and your imagination. This is creative reuse in its most playful form, and everyone's invited.
Free and open to the public
Part of Thursdays Downtown in partnership with Rochester Downtown Alliance, Threshold Arts ,and Olmsted County.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
No prior experience required, must be 18+ years of age, registration required. All materials and safety equipment provided.
Artist-in-Residence Reception: Selené Huff
Join Transforming Trash to celebrate the first Artist-in-Residence featuring sculptural works by Canadian artist and aerospace welder Selené Huff. Created from reclaimed materials sourced from the Olmsted County Recycling Center and Landfill, the exhibition explores transformation, labor, and the creative potential of discarded objects through large-scale welded and forged steel sculptures.
The reception invites the community to experience the final artworks, meet the artist, and learn more about the role of creative reuse in art and sustainability. Artist talk at 6pm.
Recycled Metalworking Flowers Workshop
Join artist-in-residence Selene Huff for a hands-on introduction to recycled metalworking and sculpture. Using reclaimed metal cutlery and salvaged materials, participants will learn foundational metalworking skills including hammering, shaping, and forming metal into sculptural flower components.
Participants can assemble their own unique flower design and either assist with the welding process or have Huff weld the final piece together to take home. Through demonstration and guided instruction, the workshop introduces basic techniques in metal fabrication while exploring creative reuse and sustainable artmaking.
No prior experience required, must be 18+ years of age, registration required. All materials and safety equipment provided.