Upcycling: Art from Recycled Materials

This exhibit challenges people to look around their home, studio, garage or wherever and see what is viable for upcycling. It is asking artists to look at their left-over materials, scraps, and refuse and create something totally different than what they originally used them for. For people who are serious about recycling and caring for the earth, this should be an easy challenge.

Upcycling is the process of converting used goods, discarded items, and waste material into something that is often better or more beautiful than the original. Though upcycling is very trendy just now, it is not a new idea. For thousands of years, before 2-day Amazon delivery and other convenient supply outlets, people repurposed and upcycled objects all the time. With the current material and production-oriented culture, upcycling had become less of a necessity. Yet with this poor earth of ours being buried in trash, upcycling is now experiencing a revival.

Recycling is a different process that converts or extracts useful materials from a product. Down cycling is another method which involves converting materials and products of lesser quality. Upcycling, often known as creative reuse, is a significant process that supports a sustainable and regenerative culture. For many artists, this practice of creative reuse is their “life blood” and art.