Thrifted Religion

By Dr. Heidi Campbell, Professor and Presidential Impact Fellow at Texas A&M University

Sept. 9–29, 2024

Artist Lecture: Sept. 12, 2024 | 2:30-4 p.m.

Sponsored by the Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts
J. Wayne Stark Galleries, Education Gallery | Memorial Student Center, MSC 1110

Guided Tours: Available for groups and Texas A&M classes. Tuesdays 10 a.m.–Noon and Thursdays Noon–2 p.m. through September. To schedule a tour, contact [email protected] and [email protected].

“Thrifted Religion” invites viewers to explore the breadth of spiritual traditions found in Aggieland and East Texas through the common and unique religious objects found at local secondhand shops.

Religions use a variety of objects to perform sacred rituals and communicate their beliefs in visual ways. These range from devotional objects such as prayer beads or holy texts to inspirational decor such as wall hangings with sacred verses or jewelry featuring religious symbols. Together they are referred to as “material religion,” the things which religious communities and people use to live out their faith and express their beliefs.

But what happens to these religious items when someone dies, changes their beliefs, or downsizes their home? These objects often show up in resale and thrift shops, where they are given a second chance to become part of another person’s spiritual life or collection.

From the artist: “In a place like Aggieland, located geographically at the end of what is called the American “Bible Belt,” one would expect to find objects representing Christianity like crosses, crucifixes, and plaques with sayings from the Bible. But what you might find surprising is that examples of Buddhism, Judaism, and New Age Religions are also prevalent.”