Sav Riley: Factory Reset opens at Art Windsor-Essex Oct. 15, 2026 (PROVIDED BY S. RILEY/University of Windsor)
By Kate Hargreaves
From paint-splattered jeans to shredded denim on its last legs, UWindsor alum Sav Riley (BA, Communications, Media and Film, ’26) is giving donated textiles a second life as wearable art.
Riley’s upcoming exhibition, Factory Reset, is the final show curated by fellow UWindsor alum Talysha Bujold-Abu's stint during their term as TD Curatorial Fellow at Art Windsor-Essex (AWE).
Riley says they were approached by Bujold-Abu during the winter of 2026 after the two collaborated on a textile art show at Ford City’s Circuit the previous summer. Since then, Riley has been collecting donated denim and sewing jeans into works of art.
“It’s the hardest I’ve ever worked on anything,” Riley says, noting that they couldn’t believe it when Bujold-Abu offered them the chance to exhibit at AWE.
“I’ve just been grinding and grinding, and I forgot that people were noticing,” they say. “It was like, surprise! I’m actually an artist! Who would have thought? It was a very validating experience that the work I’m doing out in the community is actually being noticed.”
Known as Designs by Sav, Riley uses donated denim to explore the harms of overconsumption and fast fashion, reimagining streetwear through the reuse of salvaged textiles.
Their work in this medium began during COVID-19 lockdowns when they first revved up their sewing machine to begin upcycling. Stuck in the house, they posted some of their creations online and realized there was a market for their work.
While they initially thrifted materials for their designs, Riley has since found so many people willing to part with excess clothing that they can work solely with donated textiles.
“With upcycling, you can reinvent the piece, and that’s what we’re doing with Factory Reset,” Riley says.
“All the jean I used for the project has been donated by the community. Especially if it’s being donated by someone I don’t know, it’s cool to piece together a story in your head of who that person might be.”
As the show’s curator, Bujold-Abu was also drawn to the community aspect of Riley’s work.
"All the denim incorporated in the work was sourced from the Windsor-Essex Community,” says Bujold-Abu.
“This is a tangible marker of community support, care and creativity in the arts. In a similar fashion, pun intended, there is also the environmental impact to consider — how many jeans did Sav save from a landfill? I can't count them all, but what a feat!"
While Riley acknowledges that fast fashion is unlikely to disappear anytime soon, they hope their art can help reduce textile waste.
“If I can even make the smallest dent in clothes not ending up in a landfill somewhere, I’ll take that opportunity,” they say.
Beyond exhibiting their art, Riley sells their creations to community members, offering an alternative to buying new clothing.
“I’m always super grateful,” they say of seeing their work being worn in public.
For Bujold-Abu, that community connection extends beyond the finished pieces.
"Sav balances a material practice with community outreach, sourcing and building a creative community that is robust with talents,” they say.
“In working with them over the course of a year, I've learned through their community-based activation: not just through the incredible individuals, but how a collective voice builds a whole."
The Factory Reset opening takes place Oct. 15 from 5 to 9 p.m. in AWE’s second-floor galleries at 401 Riverside Dr. W. in Windsor.
Attendees can browse the Designs by Sav pop-up shop, featuring upcycled apparel and accessories for purchase, and create their own denim scrap accessories during a hands-on art activity. They can also watch the Factory Reset all-denim fashion show and end the night with the Double Denim dance party.
Admission is free for AWE members and $20 for non-members. Guests are encouraged to arrive in their best denim outfits.
For more information, visit the AWE website.
This profile is part of a special series celebrating Alumni Week. Discover events and more at uwindsor.ca/alumni.
