SANTA FE, NM – The New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) has launched a campaign that celebrates recycled art in an effort to highlight the importance of reducing waste while supporting local artists and creatives.

The campaign highlights recycled art sculptures and locations throughout New Mexico, such as Ethyl the Whale in Santa Fe and Big Bird in Las Cruces. Aspiring recycled art creators are encouraged to explore upcycling resources such as Resourceful Santa Fe and Rangewood Reclaimers.

In an effort to build awareness about recycled art, Keep New Mexico True and the New Mexico Recycling Coalition will co-host a webinar on Thursday, Nov. 4, with art leaders around the state who repurpose trash and found objects into artwork. The webinar is scheduled 3:30 – 4:30 pm (MST) and is free to attend for interested members of the public.

“The New Mexico arts community is at the forefront of environmental stewardship by demonstrating how the arts can contribute to waste reduction and a more circular economy,” Tourism Secretary Jen Paul Schroer said. “New Mexico is a premier destination for art and we’re happy to showcase recycled art through this campaign.”

Members of the public are also encouraged to attend the Recycled Santa Fe Art Festival, which is the country’s largest and oldest recycled art market. The festival will be hosted Nov. 12-14, at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center.

More information about upcycling resources and how to support recycled art is available at www.newmexico.org/recycled-art.