Sayaka Ganz: Reclaimed Creations Opens at the Museum of Art

Unique and dazzling sculptures made from recycled materials take the stage at the Museum of Art in our newest exhibit: Sayaka Ganz: Reclaimed Creations. The exhibit opens with a reception from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026, including a lecture with the artist from 5-6:30 p.m. The exhibit will run from Friday, February 6 to Saturday, June 6.

Sayaka Ganz’s unique artwork utilizes discarded plastic objects to create animal figures such as whales, polar bears, birds, and more. She describes this practice as “3D impressionism,” resulting in sculptures rich in texture and color that convey movement and the illusion of form.

Sayaka Ganz was born in Yokohama, Japan and grew up living in Japan, Brazil, and Hong Kong. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Indiana University, Bloomington and a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She is an accomplished educator who taught design and drawing courses at Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne between 2002 and 2012.

Ganz states: “My work is about perceiving harmony, even in situations that appear chaotic from the inside. When observing my sculptures up close, one might see gaps, holes and items being held on only by small points; step away, however, and the sculptures reveal the harmony created when the objects are aligned to the same general (but not identical) direction. Similarly, it is important to gain perspective by stepping back from current problems and look at the larger picture. Then one can perceive the beauty and patterns that exist.”

For more information on up-to-date events visit clcstaging.lascruces.gov/museums or Las Cruces Museums’ social media platforms @LCMuseums.

SAYAKA GANZ: RECLAIMED CREATIONS is produced by David J. Wagner, L.L.C., David J. Wagner, Ph.D., Curator/Tour Director, davidjwagnerllc.com.

The museum is located at 491 N. Main St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. There is no admission fee. The museum is accessible from Roadrunner Transit Route 1 Stop 1. For additional information, visit the website at https://www.clcstaging.lascruces.gov/museums or call (575) 541-2137/TTY 711.