Chris Burton: SCAD Furniture Design Student Turns Waste Into Art

As recycling is a significant and important part of society today, one Savannah College of Art and Design student has made a difference by transforming Savannah landfill and dumpster debris into art. M.F.A. candidate Chris Burton presents "Upcycle of Waste," his furniture design thesis exhibition that features construction and demolition debris made into furniture and furnishings. "Upcycle of Waste" will be on display Jan. 8-19 at Red Kite Studio, 1522 Bull St. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Coming from a family of avid woodworkers, and growing up in environmentally conscious California, Burton developed a passion for woodworking and creating sustainable products at a young age. As a former construction worker, Burton saw the potential of massive amounts of waste accrued at job sites. This experience and a culmination of past jobs and education inspired him to cultivate waste materials into furniture pieces featured in his exhibition.

Burton said, "Despite construction and demolition debris being the highest percentage of waste entering landfills today, there is a lack of effort by residential contractors and construction companies to take responsibility of this growing problem." Burton hopes his exhibition will create social awareness, encouraging individuals to act locally and think globally when it comes to finding ways to divert waste from landfills.

The Savannah College of Art and Design: http://www.dexigner.com/directory/detail/8569.html

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