San Diego exhibit explores what families pass down

AXIOS San Diego
By Claire Trageser
9/23/26

A new exhibit at the downtown library explores the idea of family through craft projects.

The big picture: “Becoming Heirlooms” uses work by local artists to explore the idea of inheritance and how heirlooms can be both a blessing and a burden.

Zoom in: The exhibit has sculptures including boxes and a tea set made by basketweaving from local artist India Thompson, which imply a potentially unwanted inheritance, according to KPBS.

Diana Benavídez made paper breasts smooshed between bricks to represent how breast cancer can be passed down in a family.
Phil Rowland created a wooden blanket chest with letters inlaid into the lid that read “Don’t Embarrass the Family.” It explores how family shapes what we carry forward, he told Axios.
The exhibit was curated by Kerianne Quick and Adam John Manley in conjunction with Handwork 2026, an initiative from the Craft in America museum in LA.

If you go, it’s open 1-7pm Tuesday, noon-5pm Wednesday to Friday, noon-4pm Saturday. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Original article here.