Transforming Trash
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Transforming Trash Artist-in-Residence program is a new Olmsted County initiative launching in 2026, inviting artists to create public artworks from reclaimed materials.
06/17/2026
We were blown away by the turnout for The Heap Awakens by Selené Huff at Historic Chateau Theatre .
As the first artist in the Transforming Trash Artist-in-Residence Program, Selené diverted ~500 pounds of salvaged metal, tire, and wood into three remarkable sculptures that explore transformation, labor, and the hidden potential of discarded materials. During her residency, she also led a metalworking workshop, shared her process with the public, and helped build new creative connections and resources for our community.
This exhibition will remain at the Historic Chateau Theatre for a few more weeks before Carol, The Landfill Guardian will be installed outdoors at the Olmsted County Recycling Plus facility. We will have a final artist meet-and-greet during Thursdays Downtown tomorrow (June 18) at 2-5pm before she travels back to Canada.
A huge thank you to the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners, County leadership, and Environmental Resources teams for helping make this pilot program possible. We are also grateful to Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) for supporting arts and culture in our region, including this program!
This is only the beginning. ♻️✨
Sculpture RochesterMN
06/17/2026
We were blown away by the turnout for The Heap Awakens by Selené Huff at the Historic Chateau Theatre.
As the first artist in the Transforming Trash Artist-in-Residence Program, Selené diverted ~500 pounds of salvaged metal, tire, and wood into three remarkable sculptures that explore transformation, labor, and the hidden potential of discarded materials. During her residency, she also led a metalworking workshop, shared her process with the public, and helped build new creative connections and resources for our community.
This exhibition will remain at the Historic Chateau Theatre for a few more weeks before Carol, The Landfill Guardian will be installed outdoors at the Olmsted County Recycling Plus facility. We will have a final artist meet-and-greet during Thursdays Downtown tomorrow (June 18) at 2-5pm before she travels back to Canada.
A huge thank you to the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners, County leadership, and Environmental Resources teams for helping make this pilot program possible. We are also grateful to for supporting arts and culture in our region, including this program!
This is only the beginning. ♻️✨
Do you have FOMO about the opening of the first Transforming Trash Artist-in-Residence exhibition at the Historic Chateau Theatre?
Don’t fret! This Thursday the artist Selené Huff will be at Historic Chateau Theatre from 2-5pm during Thursdays Downtown for a last chance meet and greet before traveling back north to Canada. The exhibition will remain at the Chateau Theatre for a few weeks before Carol will be installed at the Olmsted County Recycling Center plus.
We will see you there!!!
06/17/2026
More photos from this great night!
06/17/2026
What a great exhibition opening! More photos to come! 🌱
06/14/2026
We are one day away to view the complete work of Transforming Trash’s first artist-in-residence Selené Huff . Join us for our exhibition opening of “The Heap Awakens” on Monday, June 15th from 5-7pm Historic Chateau Theatre . Artist and Leadership talk at 6pm.
Forged from salvaged steel and reclaimed tire, the Guardian of the Landfill watches over all. Surrounded by talismans; fragments of memory formed from reclaimed steel, tire and cast bronze. She preserves stories that might otherwise be forgotten.
We can’t wait for you to meet her.
Last week, I had the chance to tag along with our Artist-in-Residence, Selené Huff , for a visit to Chicago Ave Fire Arts Center in Minneapolis. We spent a few days learning about their incredible programs, meeting their talented team, and doing a little bronze casting.
Chicago Fire Arts is a one-of-a-kind resource for artists interested in welding, blacksmithing, metal casting, jewelry making, glasswork, neon, and more. Their facilities, expertise, and commitment to hands-on learning make them an invaluable part of Minnesota’s creative community.
As we continue building Transforming Trash, it was inspiring to connect with an organization that is expanding access to industrial arts and helping artists develop new skills, processes, and creative possibilities.
A huge thank you to Heather and the entire Chicago Fire Arts team for welcoming us into your space and sharing your knowledge with us. We can’t wait to visit again!
06/11/2026
Join Trash and their first artist-in-residence Selené Huff, for an exhibition of sculptural art 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 welded and forged steel sculptures. Learn more about creative reuse and sustainability through contemporary art during an Artist talk at 6 pm.
📆 Monday, June 15 | 5-7pm
📍Historic Chateau Theatre | Rochester, MN
Learn More: https://www.transformingtrash.org/events/airreception1
*SEMAC activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
06/11/2026
Check out this feature of our first artist, Selené Huff and come see it for yourself on June 15th from 5-7pm at the Historic Chateau Theatre. We will see you there!
Selené Huff is creating art using items reclaimed from Olmsted County waste facilities as part of the County's Transforming Trash program.
Read more: https://mrf.lu/y42B
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