Join us as we go behind the scenes of our latest exhibition*
June 30, 2026
5-6pm | Meet & Greet with Sayaka
6:15 pm | Planetarium Doors open
6:30 pm | Sayaka Ganz: Sculpting Motion from Plastic with Sayaka Ganz, Sculptor and Creator of SAYAKA GANZ: RECLAIMED CREATIONS, Produced by David J. Wagner, L.L.C., David J. Wagner, Ph.D., Curator/Tour Director.
7:15pm | Explore the exhibit
Tickets:
Lecture Only
Pay what you can. Tickets for this event will be a sliding scale of $0-$15 with a suggested donation of $8.
Meet & Greet with Sayaka
$30.00 per person | 15% OMSI member discount
Join us from 5:00-6:00pm in the Empirical Theater Lobby for an exclusive tour and conversation with the artist, Sayaka Ganz. Your ticket includes the meet & greet, the lecture and a complimentary drink.
*SAYAKA GANZ: RECLAIMED CREATIONS, Produced by David J. Wagner, L.L.C., David J. Wagner, Ph.D., Curator/Tour Director will be on display at OMSI from July 1 – September 20, 2026.
About the Lecture
In Sayaka Ganz: Sculpting Motion from Plastic, sculptor Sayaka Ganz shares how she transforms everyday discarded plastic objects—like utensils, hangers, and toys—into large-scale animals that look as if they’re running, flying, or swimming. She’ll take you behind the scenes of her process: collecting materials, building a metal “skeleton” armature, and arranging colorful plastic pieces like three-dimensional brushstrokes to create the illusion of movement. Along the way, Sayaka explores how her upbringing in Japan, where many people grow up respecting the spirit in nature and in objects, shaped the way she sees even abandoned materials as worth caring for. Through stories, images, and projects inspired by ocean and wildlife conservation, this presentation invites audiences of all ages to look at plastic in a new way—and to imagine how creativity can help us value what we usually throw away.
Sayaka Ganz, Sculptor and Creator of SAYAKA GANZ: RECLAIMED CREATIONS
Born in Yokohama, Japan and raised across Japan, Brazil, and Hong Kong, Sayaka’s global roots and Japanese cultural values inspire her to create works that reflect harmony, reverence, and renewal. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indiana University Bloomington and a Master of Fine Arts in 3D Studies from Bowling Green State University.
Sayaka transforms discarded plastic and metal objects into dynamic sculptures of animals and natural forces, animating the forgotten and overlooked into forms that radiate life, color, and movement. Her unique approach, which she calls 3D impressionism, allows individual fragments to dissolve into unity—creating an illusion of solid form that only reveals its complexity upon closer view.
Her acclaimed traveling exhibition, “Sayaka Ganz – Reclaimed Creations,” has toured 21 venues across the United States since 2017, with exhibitions continuing through 2027. Her large-scale works and commissions can be found around the world, including permanent installations in London, Tokyo, Qatar, the Isle of Man, and across the U.S.—most recently a monumental 13-foot sculpture of Shawnee Chief Bluejacket in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions? Email event@omsi.edu
Ticketing questions call 503-797-4000 x0
Unfortunately, no food or drink is allowed inside the Planetarium.
Click here for OMSI’s overall accessibility information.
The Kendall Planetarium has many amenities available, including:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Scripts for presentations are available on request
- Nearby ADA accessible restrooms
Please check in with an OMSI staff member for assistance in accessing these amenities.
- Earplugs can be requested from the Front Desk and Concierge Desk, and sensory resource packs that include:
- Noise reducing headphones
- Fidget toys
- Sunglasses
- Visual and auditory timer
- 2 pound weighted shoulder wrap
- Sanitizing wipes
Please contact OMSI Guest Services at (503) 797-4000 or Info@OMSI.edu with any additional specific questions or needs.
Parking is $2 + fees for after-hours events.