This August, the Hunter Museum welcomes Upcycled Garden, a site-specific installation by Daniel “Attaboy” Seifert to the East Wing Lounge. Constructed entirely from discarded cardboard and found materials, this whimsical sculptural environment transforms everyday waste into an imaginative landscape of blooming forms. Even the work’s vivid colors are created from leftover house and spray paints, reinforcing Mr. Seifert’s commitment to conservation, said officials.

An ever-expanding project, Upcycled Garden adapts to each venue it inhabits. From Aug. 14 through March 6, 2028, visitors are invited to explore the Hunter’s site-specific iteration and enjoy hands-on activities in the space. Guests are invited from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Aug. 14 to meet the artist and celebrate the opening of the exhibit.

Upcycled Garden invites viewers into a world that feels both fantastical and deeply personal, with Mr. Siefert’s background as a toymaker informing the playful forms and colors. Look closer, and the sculptures reveal a hidden narrative. When turned upside down, layers of packaging and materials become visible, creating a record of time and consumption not unlike the rings of a tree.

The project began during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, when Mr. Seifert started collecting and repurposing discarded items—from prescription bottles and pizza boxes to COVID test packaging. What emerged was a creative response to a challenging period, transforming the remnants of daily life into a continually growing work of art. For Mr. Seifert, who developed post-traumatic stress disorder and neurological symptoms after a serious car accident, the process became a form of art therapy.

Mr. Seifert and his wife, Annie Owens, are the founders of Hi-Fructose, the internationally recognized arts publication dedicated to celebrating contemporary creative voices. Through both their publishing work and artistic practice, they continue to champion healing through art.