The pieces ranged from a small exhibit featuring faux household items, including a hair dryer, makeup product, hair rollers and makeup brushes in a miniature size to a once-new typewriter and scrapbook. Each week, during Student Upcycle Fridays, the Surplus Store's education/upcycle space allowed student creators the space to work on the pieces.

Additionally, there was a large fridge which drew visitors for its unique feature – in addition to being decorated with old newspaper clips, painted papers, and art, to the point where none of the old surface could be seen, the refrigerator could open to reveal sustainable food and drink options, such as oat milk or dairy-free butter.

April 21, the day before Earth Day and a day after the exhibit was opened, a reception was hosted in the exhibit. From 5-7 p.m., students, faculty and the public could view and step inside the exhibit on the second floor of the MSU Union, located right at the beginning of campus. Several student organizations and MSU businesses were involved, including MSU Painting Club, MSU Yarn Club, MSU Vinyl Nights and the MSU Surplus Store.

Third-year electrical engineering student Kenny Bey is the president of Vinyl Nights. He and the organization came up with a student-centered and fun way to get involved, providing the soundtrack for the evening. 

“This is our 2nd event with Upcycle, and the work that they’re doing is just amazing. This gallery might be the dopest thing I’ve seen since coming to Michigan State, and I’m thankful that they’re giving us the opportunity to be a part of it,” Bey said.

Each week, during Student Upcycle Fridays, the Surplus Store's education/upcycle space allowed student creators the space to work on the pieces. What made "UpCycled Home" distinct from other art exhibits is that it had a space for reception attendees to create sustainable art themselves. Attendees were able to create cardboard portraits of themselves to add to the gallery wall.

President of MSU painting club and animal science senior Katherine Triugeros was excited for her club to contribute artwork to the gallery. 

“I'd encourage anyone who can to check out the showcase, as it is a beautiful project that brought so many students and clubs together to create something unique through individual and group projects while maintaining that idea of sustainability with the use of repurposed materials and objects,” Triugeros said.

Triugeros urges students to go before the exhibit closes in May.

Third-year art history and visual culture student Mahalet Tolliver spoke to the significance of events like this, especially seeing as the University has faced significant budget cuts lately in the arts and humanities departments. This includes the Department of Art, Art History, & Design, which helped put on this showcase. 

Tolliver also discussed a previous event titled "Patchwork, Reclaiming Space," in which students could contribute a patch of their own to make a giant quilt in the exhibit. Tolliver spoke to the collaboration as well as the fact that students were not only valued in the pieces, but an integral part of the showcases.

“They’re included in the art -- they’re part of the work.”

The MSU Spartan Upcycled House exhibit will be in the second-floor Union Art Gallery from April 13 - May 2, 2026. Visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.