Aggie Square launches ARx Sacramento — A New Artist + Researcher Exhibition Program with support from the City of Sacramento Arts & Culture
Source: Press Release | January 13, 2026
ARx Sacramento, a new Artist + Researcher Exhibition (ARx) program has launched at Aggie Square. Powered by Wexford Science & Technology, LLC, and supported by the City of Sacramento Office of Arts & Culture, ARx Sacramento brings together regional artists and scientific researchers for a nine-month collaboration to translate complex research into accessible, thought-provoking, community-facing artworks.
Grounded in the belief that art can illuminate science by fostering empathy, imagination, and new forms of communication, each artist–researcher team will interpret scientific concepts through their medium of choice—visual, digital, performative, literary, or mixed media—ultimately producing an original work that deepens public understanding and culminates in a multi-venue exhibition across the Sacramento region.
Participating Artist + Researcher Teams
| ARTISTS | RESEARCHERS |
|---|---|
| Dominick Porras | Monika Ray |
| Jennifer Lugris | Geoanna Bautista |
| Jessica Wimbley | Leigh Ann Simmons |
| Jodi Connelly | Jennifer Rosenthal |
| Melissa Uroff | Drew Cingel |
| Muzi Li Rowe | Angie Louie |
| Ruby Chacón | Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz |
| Sunroop Kaur | Dave Hogsett |
| Taner Ilhan Pasamehmetoglu | Gabriel Simmons |
| Yared Portillo | Elizabeth Lopez |
A Transformative Program at the Intersection of Art, Science & Community
ARx Sacramento draws directly from the model pioneered at the Phoenix Bioscience Core in Arizona and now entering its 5th year.“
The ARx program has shown us the power of bringing art and science together to build connection, curiosity, and a deeper public appreciation for research,” said Sara Anderson, Executive Director of the Phoenix Bioscience Core. “We’re thrilled to partner with Sacramento to expand this model to a new region, and we look forward to the creative and scientific collaborations that will emerge.”
Led by a Cross-Sector Committee Supporting Arts, Culture, Science & Community
ARx Sacramento is guided by a dedicated committee representing arts organizations, cultural institutions, academic partners, and community leaders:
- Uri Griner, Director of Experiences, SMUD Museum of Science & Curiosity (MOSAC)
- Megan Van Voorhis, Director of Convention & Cultural Services, City of Sacramento
- Justina Martino, Director, ArtTonic
- J. Ross Parelli, Frequency Architect and Founder, Beats Lyrics Leaders
- Julie Crumb, Project Coordinator, ArtTonic
- Sumiko Hong, Director of Aggie Square Community Engagement, UC Davis
- Kristin Belden, Founder, Belden Strategies
- Dr. Marc Facciotti, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, UC Davis
- Monique Brown, Knowledge Community Director, Wexford Science & Technology
“Sacramento is a city where creativity and research thrive side-by-side, and ARx Sacramento gives us a platform to celebrate the intersection of those strengths,” said Megan Van Voorhis, Director of the City of Sacramento Office of Arts & Culture. “This program reflects our commitment to fostering arts experiences that are inclusive, innovative, and deeply connected to our community.”
“MOSAC is excited to partner with ARx Sacramento to host the live event and extend these artist researcher collaborations into ongoing public engagement,” said Uri Griner, Director of Experiences at the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity. “As a trusted regional institution serving hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, MOSAC is uniquely positioned to present this work in a way that is accessible, engaging, and impactful. By displaying the exhibition, pairing it with hands on design challenges and other interactive learning experiences, we can help visitors of all ages connect more deeply with both the art and the science behind each project.”
Culminating in a Live Event open to the Public in Fall 2026
ARx Live will be the culminating event of the ARx program, held at SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC) in Sacramento in Fall 2026. The event will feature a public exhibition of the collaborative works, along with live presentations where each team will share the story behind their project.Following ARx Live, select ARx works will remain on view at MOSAC, allowing the program’s impact to continue beyond the event itself. MOSAC will also explore the development of complementary hands-on activities and design challenges that invite visitors to actively engage with the research concepts, artistic processes, and scientific questions explored through ARx.
About ARx Sacramento
For program updates, exhibition details, and upcoming announcements of artist–researcher teams, visit: visitaggiesquare.com/arx.