The Reynolds Gallery at the University of the Pacific is kicking off its 25th anniversary season in a powerful way, presenting the U.S. premiere of Matthew Septimus: Ask Yourself Hard Questions. The exhibition opens on August 26, 2025, and will run through October 11, 2025, with a special reception and informal artist talk scheduled for September 17 from 6–8 p.m.
A Lens on Protest and Democracy
In the fall of 2011, New York photographer Matthew Septimus turned his camera toward the ordinary people who gathered in Manhattan’s Zuccotti Park to protest economic inequality. That movement, known worldwide as Occupy Wall Street, popularized the rallying cry, “We are the 99%.”
“Occupy was never about one type of person,” Septimus reflects. “It was about many voices converging in public space — and the energy, tension, and humanity that came with that.”
Armed with a 2-1/4 SLR camera, Septimus photographed more than a thousand protestors, capturing a single frame of each person along with an object they carried. Nearly 300 of these striking portraits — intimate, raw, and deeply human — will be displayed in the exhibition.
More Than Portraits
What makes Septimus’ work compelling is his ability to balance individuality with a larger democratic vision. Each subject receives his full and respectful attention, yet together they form a collective story of dissent, diversity, and hope.
Curators Jill Vasileff and Lisa Cooperman encourage visitors to consider the Occupy movement’s lasting relevance. “These portraits remind us that democracy thrives on plurality — of opinions, values, experiences, and identities,” they note. The show invites reflection not just on the past, but on the ongoing challenges of civic life today.
Event and Visitor Information
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Exhibition Dates: August 26 – October 11, 2025
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Reception & Artist Talk: September 17, 6–8 p.m.
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Location: Jeannette Powell Art Center, University of the Pacific, Stockton
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Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
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Admission: Always free
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Parking: Available on Mendocino Avenue
This exhibition is not only a highlight of the Jeannette Powell Art Center’s 25th anniversary year, but also a chance for the Stockton community to experience history and art in conversation.