Bright colors, childhood nostalgia and early-2000s dance-floor hits are coming to the Saugatuck Center for the Arts this October, with a new exhibition and a free community celebration inspired by the playful possibilities of plastic lace craft.
On Oct. 23, Columbus-based artist akeylah wellington opens plastic plastic, her debut solo exhibition featuring 16 oversized, hand-knotted sculptures made with scoubidou stitches and pony beads. Familiar materials associated with summer-camp lanyards, boondoggles and scoobies take on an entirely new scale, transforming into sculptural works in neon, pastel and pearl hues.
The exhibition draws on pony beads, often worn at the ends of braided Black hairstyles, to explore the connections between Black girlhood, cultural identity and the ubiquity of plastic. Through materials that evoke childhood crafts and personal memories, wellington brings humor and intimacy to subjects that are often overlooked or misrepresented.
“When I think about making work, I want Black femme people to know that there’s someone thinking about their childhood,” wellington said. “That is thinking very deeply, very intensely, very carefully about culture and hoping to make things in a way that is not exploitative, not sensationalized, that is not just talking about misery, tragedy, or violence.”
Instead, she hopes viewers recognize the quieter, more personal experiences that shape cultural identity.
“Really nodding toward very private, intimate parts of a life experience that has been contested, misunderstood and maligned,” she said. “I really want and hope that they feel that way when they look at my work.”
The exhibition opens with two events at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, offering opportunities to learn about wellington’s process and celebrate the work with a little nostalgic fun.
On Oct. 23, from 10-11 a.m., wellington will discuss the memories, cultural influences and material experiments behind plastic plastic as part of the Center (On) artist talk series. The conversation will explore the exhibition’s relationship to Black hair adornment, nostalgia and humor, followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the gallery.
The following evening, Oct. 24, the SCA will host plastic-plastic — party!-party!, a free, all-ages celebration from 7-10 p.m. The festivities begin at 7 p.m. with an opportunity to explore the exhibition and try a lacecraft activity with event partner Hot Glue Creux.
At 8 p.m., the gallery gives way to the dance floor for a DJ set featuring early-2000s hits and retro dance instruction led by Heather Winia. The evening also includes themed cocktails, Y2K-inspired snacks and a collection of board games for anyone who needs a break from dancing, including Ticket to Ride, Kerplunk, Taboo, Chutes and Ladders, Scattergories, Pictionary and Hungry Hungry Hippos.
Whether revisiting childhood craft projects, discovering the cultural stories woven into familiar materials or dancing to the songs of the early 2000s, visitors can experience plastic plastic as both an exhibition and a celebration of memory, creativity and community.
Pre-registration is encouraged for the free Oct. 24 party.
ALSO AT SC4A
Afterparty by Jaer Medina, Through Jan. 8
Jaer Medina, SCA’s 2026 Artist in Residence, presents his third and final exhibition of the year, completing a series of new bodies of work that have moved from place, to community, to personal memory. Working across photography, collage, installation, and social practice, Jaer uses accessible and found materials to explore how histories and experiences are held, shared, and remembered.
Honky Tonk Chicks, Oct. 16-17
Grab your friends and your best pair of boots for this country party. This powerhouse vocal trio takes the tribute show to the next level — three-part harmonies, fully choreographed numbers, and the greatest hits of Shania, Dolly, Garth, and more. Two nights only.
Mandolin with Brian Oberlin, Nov. 6
Experience mandolin with Brian Oberlin in the SCA’s 55-seat listening room for an intimate evening of swing and bluegrass. Enjoy expressive modern classical works by masters such as Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Dvořák, Schnittke, and Sollima, alongside Oberlin’s original compositions. The program blends swing, bluegrass, and Italian classical influences, with select pieces featuring vocals.
Jazz at the Cinema, Nov. 13-14
Two fabulous nights. Four incredible musicians. One unforgettable community fundraiser. Join us in the Bob & Bobbie Lobby at the SCA for an evening of Jazz from some of your favorite soundtracks. Get excited for renditions of Singin’ in the Rain, Over the Rainbow, Climb Every Mountain, Pure Imagination, and The Candy Man. It will be a special evening with Detroit-based vocalist Olivia Van Goor, award-winning drummer Brandon Williams, and Matt Ryan, who has performed around the world for many artists, all brought to us by jazz pianist and longtime SCA friend Rufus Ferguson.
