Resident Upcyclist: B. Martinez

This February Upcycled is taking First Friday off to support our fellow Upcyclists in person. We will be spending the night at Draught Works with their featured artist of the month, B. Martinez. She is a close friend of Upcycled and an active participant in Missoula’s art scene. She first began selling her art 7 years ago after her first First Friday hosted by the Green Light. She has since taken part in many First Friday’s and has become a popular name in the Garden City’s arts community.

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She began making art when she was child and her mother handed her a glue gun, fabric scraps, a pair of scissors and a box of crayons. She quickly found herself akin to the creative process and has been inspired ever since. Today, she works with mixed media on reclaimed/recycled and liberated paneling/particle board/canvas/wood.

​B. Martinez’s passion for repurposing materials is at the core of creativity and sustainability. American’s generate approximately 251 million tons’ of trash per year, with an unfortunately low recycling rate. Organic materials such as yard trimmings and food waste are the largest contributors to municipal solid waste. However, materials such as metals, rubber, textiles, leather and wood make up a significant fraction of our country’s waste.

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Through the creative process, she seeks to lighten our landfills and inspire resourcefulness. It’s easy to see why we at Upcycled are so fond of this artist, we share the same philosophy­ waste not, want not. 
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So, if you find yourself wanting some nifty recycled art, you should probably heed that call. Join us this Friday, February 5th, at Draught Works Brewery for some great beers, great company and some liberated lumber. ​

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