A new art exhibit at Washington State University Tri-Cities revisits a surprising moment in Washington state history, when Seattle artists rallied in support of a nuclear reactor once located at Hanford. The exhibit, Load the Reactor: A Study for the New Nuclear, opens Sept. 4 at the Art Center in the Consolidated Information Center on the WSU Tri-Cities campus and runs through Feb. 27, 2026.

Drawing that shows that the FFTF reactor utilized several Hanford testing areas in its early design planning.

The exhibit is inspired by a 1992 collaboration between artists and nuclear energy proponents, sparked by sculptor James Acord, who moved from Seattle to the Tri-Cities and immersed himself in Hanford’s nuclear community. Acord’s influence led a group of Seattle artists—calling themselves “YIMBYs” (Yes In My Backyard)—to advocate for the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), a prototype breeder reactor located at Hanford. Their campaign culminated in a series of performances called Load the Reactor at Seattle’s Fremont Fine Arts Foundry, which brought together artists, scientists and the public to discuss the future of nuclear energy.

“The idea of pro-nuclear Seattle artists might seem counterintuitive,” said Brian Freer, co-curator of the exhibit and research fellow at the Hanford History Project. “But the collaboration that unfolded was visionary—an early example of how artists can help shape conversations around energy, technology and policy.”

The exhibit features works by artists James L. Acord, Arthur S. Aubry, Warren Dykeman, Joe Feddersen, Etsuko Ichikawa, Paul Korsmo and Jay Needham. Through a range of multimedia installations, visitors are invited to explore themes including past, present and future reactor technologies, public engagement with nuclear energy, the role of artificial intelligence and data centers, and the evolving relationship between art and science.

A free public opening will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4 at WSU Tri-Cities in the Art Center and will feature talks by curator Rachel Allen of the Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC); Bruce Hevly, professor of history at the University of Washington; and Jay Needham, artist and professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

“On behalf of the Hanford History Project, we are thrilled to bring this exhibit to the Tri-Cities community,” Freer said. “My co-curator, Rock Hushka, and I are excited to showcase the intersection of nuclear history and artistic interpretation.”

Freer said additional programming will accompany the exhibit, including a roundtable discussion and community events focused on today’s energy challenges.

“Our goal is to create a forum for exploration, reflection and dialogue,” he said. “With renewed interest in nuclear energy driven by the need to decarbonize and power a growing digital economy, this exhibit invites the public to consider what a ‘new nuclear’ future might look like—and how art can help us get there.”

The exhibit is sponsored by the WSU Tri-Cities Hanford History Project.