Arts District Liberty Station to Debut New Exhibit Featuring Works from Emerging Artists

Calling all art enthusiasts – Arts District Liberty Station will unveil a new exhibition in  Gallery 201, spotlighting two artists from its Emerging Artist Visual Arts Residency program. 

Sean Sarmiento and Gracie Moon will wrap up their 6-month residencies with a gallery exhibit, All the Places We Belong, from Feb. 28 through June 13.

Through the exhibit, both artists navigate the psychological and cultural resonance of home, shaping it as a space where identity is formed, questioned and reclaimed.

“Arts District Liberty Station is a hub for the creative economy, and we are thrilled to be a part of the journey for these artists, providing them with the tools and space to grow their careers,” said Lisa Johnson, president and CEO of the NTC Foundation.

Sarmiento’s collages romanticize the intimacy of home, blending typography, domestic architecture and warm amber tones to transform everyday household objects like stove lights and night lamps into emotional landscapes. His work reimagines home as a stage for vulnerability and connection, highlighting how memory and care are deeply embedded in the spaces we occupy.

In contrast, Moon’s work critically explores how heritage and identity are shaped and commodified within the domestic sphere, drawing from her multiracial experience and childhood memories of blending Japanese and American cultures. Using materials like Jello molds and food wrappers, she questions the reduction of culture to consumable objects in Western narratives. Her art also revisits the unspoken stories of her grandparents’ assimilation.

Gallery 201 is a canvas to showcase the work of early-career artists in the San Diego-Baja region. Through the Emerging Artist Visual Arts Residency program, artists gain access to studio space and support resources, have the opportunity to showcase their work and gain recognition within the wider regional arts and culture community.

Gallery 201 will host the opening reception of All the Places We Belong at 4 p.m. March 7, when visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists, explore their work, and engage in conversation about the creative process.