Artist and Veteran Dustin Sims presents “Nature Re:Wired”
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCA), a Cultural Institute of the University of North Florida (UNF), is pleased to announce the opening of Nature: Re:Wired. The exhibition, created by MOCA’s 2024 UNF Student Artist-in-Residence, Dustin Sims, is the culmination of the sculptor’s semester-long residency at MOCA. The exhibition will be on view January 18-May 18, 2025. The artist will be onsite at MOCA during February Art Walk on Wednesday, February 5 from 5-9 p.m.
Nature Re:Wired is an innovative art exhibition where the artist reimagines discarded technology, transforming it into captivating animal sculptures that celebrate the brilliance of nature's design. While evolution has led to remarkable achievements in the natural world, humanity has often sought to mimic these functions through technology. Sims’ kinetic sculptures honor the inspiration found in natural evolution by representing technological artifacts as dynamic animal forms. Through their interactive components, the works invite viewers to think about the connections between nature and technology, fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment and encouraging responsible stewardship for our planet's future.
MOCA Jacksonville’s UNF Student Artist-in-Residence program is a competitive opportunity that awards access to a MOCA Jacksonville studio and exhibition space to complete a new body of work and hone skills over a final semester. The program was established in 2015 and has showcased the work of students from the College of Arts and Sciences in photography, sculpture, painting, printmaking, and ceramics. This residency was supported, in part, by the Jax Fine Arts Forum.
Support for all MOCA programming and mission-based work comes from the City of Jacksonville, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, the Donald and Maria Cox Endowment, the Haskell Endowment, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, the Director’s Circle at MOCA Jacksonville, and the University of North Florida.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Dustin Sims, a retired military veteran with 20 years of service in the Air Force, found his true calling after hanging up his uniform. Throughout his military career, Dustin specialized in constructing metal communication towers and working with communication equipment, all while seizing every opportunity to immerse himself in different cultures and indulge his passion for art.
Upon retiring from the military, he embarked on a new chapter of his life dedicated to pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming an artist. Enrolling at the University of North Florida (UNF), Dustin is currently focused on refining his skills in fabrication, MIG and TIG welding techniques, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors in metal artistry.
Looking ahead, Dustin has a clear vision for his artistic journey. He plans to establish his own LLC by the end of the year and establish a studio in Jacksonville, where he can fully explore his creativity and bring his artistic visions to life. Sims states, “This studio will be more than just a workspace; it will be a sanctuary where I can channel my creativity freely and bring my artistic visions to life.”
Through his transition from military service to the world of art, Dustin has discovered the profound impact of self-expression. Each weld, each stroke of the brush, is an opportunity for him to share his story and connect with others on a deeper level through his art.
ABOUT MOCA JACKSONVILLE
The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville is the oldest art museum in the region and one of the oldest contemporary art museums to be established in the United States.
In 1924, a group of visionary local women artists came together to imagine the kind of city they wanted Jacksonville to be — the kind of community they wanted to live in and be a part of. At the core of their vision for a rich, vital, dynamic city were art, culture, and education. Thus, what we now call MOCA Jacksonville was born — first as a series of exhibitions by artists of the day, used as a fundraising tool to support public school education; then as a guild; and later as an art museum and educational leader.
More than century later, MOCA’s mission remains focused on the art, artists, and ideas of our time, with a vision that unites education, creativity, and community building in the heart of downtown Jacksonville.
For more information including hours of operation, admission prices and upcoming exhibitions and programs, call 904.366.6911 or visit mocajacksonville.unf.edu.
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