Premiering at Montalvo, The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy is a roving exhibition showcasing Bay Area artist Kija Lucas’s ongoing photographic investigation of objects of sentiment. These are the things people value well beyond their initial function, for the memory, meaning, and importance housed within them. Items people might use to create a sense of home or represent loved ones—to bridge time and place, or to provide comfort. In this exhibition, you will discover photographic works depicting these cherished objects.

By photographing strangers' sentimental objects, Lucas offers us new meaning for old material, unexpected connection, and a diversity of stories—including yours. You will also have the opportunity to participate by having your own sentimental possessions documented on days when the artist is present. Lucas designed The Museum to grow by incorporating the stories of those who visit it. 

As a visitor, you will have the opportunity to participate by having your own sentimental possessions documented on days when the artist is present (February 7, 8, 21, 22; March 6, 7, 20, 21; April 3, 4, 17, 18). Visit on one of these days a bring an object that means something to you, and Lucas will photograph it as part of the Museum. You will contribute an important piece to our collective story.

Note: Objects will be documented and immediately returned to you.

Kija Lucas is a visual artist living and working in San Francisco. She uses photography to explore ideas of home, heritage and inheritance. Lucas received her MFA from Mills College in 2010 and BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute in 2006. Her work has been exhibited throughout the Bay Area, at the Palo Alto Art Center, Montalvo Arts Center, The Headlands Center for the Arts, The California Institute of Integral Studies, and the Oakland Museum of Art. She is a recipient of an individual Artist Commission from The San Francisco Arts Commission. Lucas has been an Artist in Residence at the Lucas Artists Program at Montalvo Arts Center, Grin City Collective, and The Wassaic Artist Residency. She is currently the program manager for The Growlery in San Francisco. She is a member of 3.9 Art Collective and the Curatorial Council at Southern Exposure.

Become part of the museum. I will be present at The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy on Montalvo Arts Center Campus from 12 to 4pm on the following dates:

February 7, 8, 21, 22
March 6, 7, 20, 21
April 3, 4, 17, 18

Become part of the museum. I will be present at The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy on Montalvo Arts Center Campus from 12 to 4pm on the following dates:

February 7, 8, 21, 22
March 6, 7, 20, 21
April 3, 4, 17, 18

Become part of the museum. I will be present at The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy on Montalvo Arts Center Campus from 12 to 4pm on the following dates:

February 7, 8, 21, 22
March 6, 7, 20, 21
April 3, 4, 17, 18

Become part of the museum. I will be present at The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy on Montalvo Arts Center Campus from 12 to 4pm on the following dates:

February 7, 8, 21, 22
March 6, 7, 20, 21
April 3, 4, 17, 18

Become part of the museum. I will be present at The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy on Montalvo Arts Center Campus from 12 to 4pm on the following dates:

February 7, 8, 21, 22
March 6, 7, 20, 21
April 3, 4, 17, 18

Become part of the museum. I will be present at The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy on Montalvo Arts Center Campus from 12 to 4pm on the following dates:

February 7, 8, 21, 22
March 6, 7, 20, 21
April 3, 4, 17, 18

Become part of the museum. I will be present at The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy on Montalvo Arts Center Campus from 12 to 4pm on the following dates:

February 7, 8, 21, 22
March 6, 7, 20, 21
April 3, 4, 17, 18

Become part of the museum. I will be present at The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy on Montalvo Arts Center Campus from 12 to 4pm on the following dates:

February 7, 8, 21, 22
March 6, 7, 20, 21
April 3, 4, 17, 18

Become part of the museum. I will be present at The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy on Montalvo Arts Center Campus from 12 to 4pm on the following dates:

February 7, 8, 21, 22
March 6, 7, 20, 21
April 3, 4, 17, 18

Become part of the museum. I will be present at The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy on Montalvo Arts Center Campus from 12 to 4pm on the following dates:

February 7, 8, 21, 22
March 6, 7, 20, 21
April 3, 4, 17, 18

Become part of the museum. I will be present at The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy on Montalvo Arts Center Campus from 12 to 4pm on the following dates:

February 7, 8, 21, 22
March 6, 7, 20, 21
April 3, 4, 17, 18

Become part of the museum. I will be present at The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy on Montalvo Arts Center Campus from 12 to 4pm on the following dates:

February 7, 8, 21, 22
March 6, 7, 20, 21
April 3, 4, 17, 18

Please join for the opening reception of The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy at Montalvo Arts Center

Premiering at Montalvo, The Museum of Sentimental Taxonomy is a roving exhibition showcasing Bay Area artist Kija Lucas’s ongoing photographic investigation of objects of sentiment. These are the things people value well beyond their initial function, for the memory, meaning, and importance housed within them. Items people might use to create a sense of home or represent loved ones—to bridge time and place, or to provide comfort. In this exhibition, you will discover photographic works depicting these cherished objects.

By photographing strangers' sentimental objects, Lucas offers us new meaning for old material, unexpected connection, and a diversity of stories—including yours. You will also have the opportunity to participate by having your own sentimental possessions documented on days when the artist is present. Lucas designed The Museum to grow by incorporating the stories of those who visit it. 

As a visitor, you will have the opportunity to participate by having your own sentimental possessions documented on days when the artist is present (February 7, 8, 21, 22; March 6, 7, 20, 21; April 3, 4, 17, 18). Visit on one of these days a bring an object that means something to you, and Lucas will photograph it as part of the Museum. You will contribute an important piece to our collective story.

Note: Objects will be documented and immediately returned to you.

Kija Lucas is a visual artist living and working in San Francisco. She uses photography to explore ideas of home, heritage and inheritance. Lucas received her MFA from Mills College in 2010 and BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute in 2006. Her work has been exhibited throughout the Bay Area, at the Palo Alto Art Center, Montalvo Arts Center, The Headlands Center for the Arts, The California Institute of Integral Studies, and the Oakland Museum of Art. She is a recipient of an individual Artist Commission from The San Francisco Arts Commission. Lucas has been an Artist in Residence at the Lucas Artists Program at Montalvo Arts Center, Grin City Collective, and The Wassaic Artist Residency. She is currently the program manager for The Growlery in San Francisco. She is a member of 3.9 Art Collective and the Curatorial Council at Southern Exposure.