Experience the POP of Summer with our throwback POP CULTURE ART EXHIBITION!
Step into a vibrant world of color, creativity, and pop culture as we unveil our bold new exhibition at the Cornell Art Museum – opening Saturday, July 5, 2025!
Running through September 28, this exciting show takes over the lower NE and SE galleries with eye-catching, thought-provoking work from some of the region’s most innovative artists:
Gwak – Sarasota-based artist GWAK brings the bold and bizarre to life through larger-than-life sculptures inspired by pop culture from the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s. With 15 years of experience in the arts, GWAK blends nostalgia, humor, and theatricality to create immersive pieces that are both playful and profound.
His creative journey began at Booker High School, where a love for set design and early animated film effects sparked a fascination with the unexpected. Over the years, GWAK has explored a wide range of mediums, embracing a “jack of all trades” approach that fuels his ever-evolving artistic identity.
From fantastical Airbnb installations to future-forward gallery shows, GWAK’s work invites audiences into quirky, dreamlike environments. Each piece is not just a visual experience, but a portal—offering escape, imagination, and a touch of childhood wonder.
Ashleigh Walters – Palm Beach County–based artist Ashleigh Walters transforms the ordinary into the meaningful, drawing from her dual career as a visual artist and television journalist. With a deep appreciation for the quirks, tools, and places that define daily life, Walters paints and constructs works that elevate the familiar—inviting viewers to rediscover emotion and memory in unexpected details.
Her background in broadcast journalism informs her sensitivity to untold stories. Through oddly scaled objects, intimate landscapes, and quiet still lifes, Walters explores the beauty found in moments that often go unnoticed. Her work is a gentle but powerful reminder that what may seem mundane to one person can hold profound significance to another.
A graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, Walters holds degrees in Fine Arts and Journalism. Her work has been exhibited nationally and animated in commercial and media settings—offering both visual delight and emotional resonance.
Annina Rüst –Annina Rüst is an artist-technologist whose work combines electronics, software, and social commentary. Her media-based art focuses on issues within tech culture, including gender representation and online privacy.
Pac-Mom is Rüst’s digital reimagining of the classic arcade game Pac-Man, reframed through a feminist lens. In this version, Pac-Mom navigates a world shaped by food insecurity, unequal labor, and systemic barriers. She must work harder than Pac-Man for the same rewards, while dodging enemies like patriarchy, misogyny, and racism.
Playable online, Pac-Mom critiques the hidden assumptions of classic games and highlights the real-world struggles of women—especially mothers—in systems designed without them in mind.
Admission is FREE (donations welcome), and visitors of all ages are invited to explore, interact, and get inspired by the creativity on display.
Rogerio Peixoto- Born in Brazil in 1978, Rogerio Peixoto is an internationally acclaimed fine artist, known for his exceptional oil and acrylic paintings on linen. After moving to Miami in 2016 and currently residing in Deerfield Beach, Peixoto continues to captivate collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide with his intricate, realistic works.
A self-taught artist with a background in technical design, Peixoto began his painting career in 2008, debuting at the Museum of Modern Art in São Paulo (MAM). His pieces are renowned for their detailed realism, producing finely crafted works that push the boundaries of both technique and originality. His paintings often feature a blend of implicit realism and extraordinary precision, making them stand out in global art salons and galleries.
Beyond his artistic achievements, Peixoto is deeply committed to social causes, working with underprivileged children in Brazil and internationally through various community development projects.
Today, Peixoto creates his masterpieces in his South Florida studio, where his work continues to evolve and inspire.
But that’s not all…
To celebrate opening night, stick around for the POP 2000 Tour Concert at the Old School Square Amphitheatre, hosted by Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, and featuring O-Town, LFO, and Ryan Cabrera. It’s the perfect way to keep the pop culture party going!