Nicole McGee

 

Upcycle Artist and Entrepreneur

 

by Laquesha Lovelace, crew 4

 

 

Have you ever looked at a pile of trash and seen art? That is the special talent that Nicole McGee possesses. McGee has her own unique art business called Upcycle Parts Shop located in the St. Clair neighborhood of Cleveland.

According to McGee, upcycling is “taking materials or a place that other people don’t place value in and giving it value and making it useful,” she explained. For example, McGee makes unique flowers out of plastic soda bottles. Working with others, she is starting her own art store to provide leftover materials for other people to make art.

 

Furthermore, did you know that Nicole McGee has been an entrepreneur for five years? She likes having her own business because she had freedom. However, she has also started working with a community organization called the St. Clair Superior Development Corporation. “Working with a larger organization allows me to work with a broader community,” McGee said. A typical week for her is three days at St. Clair Superior and two days at her own studio.

 

McGee’s Upcycle Parts Shop is a part of the St. Clair Superior Community Development Organization to improve the area. The organization was founded in June 2013. What is so special about that neighborhood? It is one of Cleveland’s most diverse and historic communities. “I work with the larger organization, and the other part time in the studio. Working with a larger organization allows me to work with broader community,” McGee recalled.

It may sound pretty easy, doesn't it? Actually, it is quite difficult. Even though McGee loves to work with her hands, she said, “The hardest part is work with my brain, computer, other people, and my hands all at once.” When she works at her studio, she first takes care of her one-year-old baby, who is named Harvest because he was born the day after Thanksgiving. She then manages orders for things like bouquets and centerpieces. Did you know that she is working with 35 restaurants across five different states?

 

I bet you’re wondering what her materials are. McGee make her art out of excess flooring and paper bags. That is how she makes her centerpieces and stationery. If you want to go see her artwork, go to Aladdin’s Eatery. It serves “healthy, nutritious Lebanese/American food in a relaxed, casual and smoke-free atmosphere,” according to their website. There are many locations throughout the Cleveland area.

 

Have you ever wondered how she gets her ideas? You would think that it would be challenging to come up with ideas, but she said, “I find my ideas from living in the city in general, but I feel grateful that ideas kind of just happen.”  McGee did not study art in college because she did not realized that she wanted to be an artist. “I know that the world of art can indeed provide jobs, but I am grateful my other degrees,” McGee recalled. McGee has bachelor’s degrees in communications and international studies. She also has a master’s degree in sociology.

 

Now you're probably wondering how her work helps people. One way she helps is by turning trash into something beautiful. “The idea is to be more thoughtful with what you throw away,” she explained. She is also helping other people do the same. “Doing that with other people and seeing what they make is gratifying. That’s what I get most joy out of!”

 

In the future, McGee hopes that she will be able to spread her work around the community through a “scrap mobile” vehicle that she would drive to schools to allow youth to do mini workshops. “I enjoy shared materials and inspiration to help them make their own art,” McGee said. “I think it take vision, passion, and confidence. An artist needs to believe that want they have to offer is worth offering, and then do it!”