New Signs at Art From Scrap
Have you noticed something exciting happening in the Art From Scrap parking lot?
Two artists, Shayne Martin Oseguera and Eliot Spaulding have created signs that brighten up the store and illustrate Art From Scrap’s impact on the community. Designed and hand painted in both Spanish and English, our beautiful new signs will remind Art From Scrap shoppers that they are not only getting great art materials, they are also helping to divert waste from landfills and supporting the work of environmental education nonprofit Explore Ecology.
Art From Scrap is a program of Explore Ecology and is a vital part of our mission to empower the next generation of environmental stewards. Keeping materials out of the landfill, hosting field trips to teach children about waste reduction, supplying low cost art supplies, offering a wide array of art workshops for kids and adults, and so much more happen at the creative reuse store that has been a part of Santa Barbara County for over 30 years.
The vibrant new signs will educate shoppers about Explore Ecology’s work beyond the store and highlight the impact customers have when they choose to shop at Art From Scrap. Having two California-based artists create these signs and designs makes the information sharing a lot more creative.
Here is a little bit about each artist and their signs in their own words:
“Shayne Martin Oseguera (SMO) is a Chicano visual artist from the Bay Area working out of San Diego, CA. He specializes in murals with public art across California, including National Historical Landmark Chicano Park. Most recently, Shayne painted new signage in Spanish and a storage locker for Art From Scrap, a program of Explore Ecology. His graphic approach to the signs were inspired from the bold and bright lettering seen painted around Mexico. The inspiration behind the storage locker comes from Mexican embroidery and his experience while visiting Art From Scrap. Visit the store and you’ll witness breathtaking mountains and be greeted by a family of crows.”
Eliot Spaulding : “I am a local interdisciplinary fine artist, and illustrator. Being selected for this project felt like a wonderful full-circle moment. Having grown up in Santa Barbara, I’ve been coming to Art From Scrap since childhood. In my previous career as a Display Artist, I donated many excess materials and installation components to the store; and in my current studio practice, sustainability is at the core of the work I create, so naturally Art From Scrap is always my first stop when I’m in need of supplies.”
We are so grateful that Eliot and Shayne were able to work on this project. Their enthusiasm for Art From Scrap as a creative hub was great.
Thank you to the City of Santa Barbara for supporting the grant funds to make this project possible. We are so grateful for their support to make this project a possibility. Also, a big shout out to the City of Santa Barbara Office of Arts and Culture. Funding support was provided by the City of Santa Barbara’s Organizational Development Grant Program.
We hope to see you soon at Art From Scrap so you can see the signs for yourself!
Josh was born and raised in Santa Barbara, where his passion and curiosity for the environment began and has continued to grow. During his undergraduate studies, Josh pursued this interest at the University of California at Santa Cruz, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies.
Melissa Dodos developed her passion for creative reuse as a mother of four and elementary educator over the past 25 years. She loves to inspire creativity by connecting people with resources and ideas.
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife.
Stephanie began her journey as an educator over twenty years ago working as a preschool teacher in Washington state for a cooperative preschool program affiliated with Whatcom Community College. She loved observing the wonder and curiosity of the children and bringing them out into nature to explore the natural world. She continued her love for learning and got her teaching license and then her Montessori certification and worked as an elementary teacher in Tribal, Public, and Montessori schools. She collaborated to create a school garden and her students loved it so much that it became a special place where they could garden, read, explore, play, and it provided a safe sanctuary for students to calm down and reset when they were having difficult moments.
Morgan’s mermaid soul is always seeking adventure—swimming a relay across the Santa Barbara Channel and taking the first photo of a newborn orca off Anacapa Island being standout experiences close to home.
Lindsay Johnson
