Gallery Exhibition: What We Sow

One person's trash isn't just treasure—it’s a masterpiece. What We Sow invites viewers into a reimagined landscape composed of the forgotten remnants of Adams Point, Lakeside Park, and Lake Merritt. Through a lens of radical optimism, the Trash Falcons transform the discarded debris of urban life into works that are at once whimsical, provocative, and profoundly beautiful. By elevating found objects to the realm of fine art, this exhibition challenges us to confront our own hand in the ecological narrative and asks: What do we leave behind, and what beauty can we grow from the wreckage?

The Main Gallery showcases the rigorous creativity of the Trash Falcons—a collective of artists, makers, and innovators who treat the streets of Oakland as their primary source material. Here, the "medium of trash" is expanded into a sophisticated survey of contemporary craft. From the ethereal blue of cyanotypes to the tactile weight of sculpture, these works prove that the life cycle of an object only ends when our imagination does.

Featuring the works of: Nick Berger, Sooz Chrzanowski, Rachel Beth Egenhoefer, Dane Joyce, Anne McSilver, Kathleen Nay, Bonnie Pestridge, Margaret Rodriguez, and Richard Sink.

In the Bellevue Room, the exhibition takes a turn toward the archival and the absurd. The world-famous The Trash Falcons Trash Museum of Trash presents a curated selection of "questionably historic" artifacts recovered during weekly missions. These objects—perhaps a pair of misplaced AirPods or a haunting orthodontic mold—are preserved behind glass as relics of a hidden Oakland history.

Within this space, visitors are invited to ascend the Throne of Pickers Past, an interactive installation celebrating the labor of the community picker. The TFTMoT Gift Shop will also be open during major events, offering attendees the opportunity to carry a piece of this reimagined history home.

• Opening Reception: Friday, February 21st | 6:30 – 8:30 PM
• TFTMoT Closing Party: Friday, March 6th | 6:00 – 8:00 PM
• Grand Exhibition Closing Party: Friday, April 10th | 6:00 – 8:00 PM

The Trash Falcons are a grassroots collective committed to the stewardship of Oakland’s Adams Point, Lakeside Park, and Lake Merritt neighborhoods. They operate with optimism, positivity, and inclusivity to build community and enhance the town's beauty. Their work showcases humor, love, and togetherness. They have fun on their expeditions, all sharing a common goal of showing up for their community.

Join the Flock: The community is invited to join the Falcons every Sunday at 9:00 AM at 400 Perkins St, Oakland.

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Host or Publisher Junior Center of Art and Science