Written By: Molly Shoffner
Bellingham has a vibrant scene of artists and creators that seamlessly melds together with the Western community. With markets like the Lemonaid and Wonderz markets hosted at parks, downtown, and even in people’s yards, there’s an abundance of opportunities for students like Mel Lowe, Safiya Nazerali, and Mars Wetzbarger to share their art with the community.
As Western students are ever-changing, so is the art that comes from them. Whatever the art is, one thing is consistent: each creation is an artistry of care that uniquely reflects the student and the diverse community we live in in one way or another.
Mel Lowe (they/them) creates handmade jewelry by pairing sea glass and shells they find on local beaches with secondhand and repurposed beads. Selling their art wasn’t their original intention, but in the summer after their freshman year at Western they got more into beachcombing and found themselves with a collection that they wanted to give a purpose to.
“I try to be as mindful as I can when taking pieces of sea glass or shells, doing my best to create them into something that is unique and people can wear,” said Mel.
Photo courtesy of Mel Lowe.
The inspiration for their pieces comes from the nostalgia they feel for beachcombing as someone who grew up in the Pacific Northwest.
“I felt this, like, need to have [the PNW] integrated in the way I like present myself or my wardrobe in some way that felt like I was respecting it, and that was my personal motivation, […] and that kind of transformed into wanting to share that with other people. It makes me happy because I feel like I’m giving the respect to the parts of nature that they deserve,” said Mel.
In their final quarter at Western, Mel’s focus has been on their studies as a biology major, so they’ve had less time for their art and to sell it, but they plan to return to their art and business once they graduate at the end of the quarter.
Safiya Nazerali (they/them), an art studio major, has had to find a way to separate the charm earrings, stickers, mixed media art, and collage kits that they sell at art markets from the art they create for school and as a hobby.
“I have to make the time for it and be intentional with my time, or else I’m not going to do it,” said Safiya.
They initially began selling their art at markets as a way to share it with the Bellingham community outside of their Instagram profile.
“I put a lot of time into my art, so I think it’s a reflection of me and like, ‘Ooh, I made this, and I’m cool, and you’ll buy it, and you’ll wear it, and you’ll be cool too,” said Safiya.
Photo courtesy of Safiya Nazerali.
The inspiration for their art comes from “different kinds of people” and little things around them in their life, such as a popular sticker they sell of a smoking salmon that is inspired by living in the PNW. It’s the community, however, that keeps them inspired to keep putting their art out into the world.
“I really do enjoy the community and other people that do the markets. Creating the art, obviously, and you know, interacting with people who want to buy your art is cool […] I’d like to lift up other queer and BIPOC artists in a time like this. I think it’s super important to have community. I think that’s something that’s really important and it helps a lot of people out,” said Safiya.
Mars Wetzbarger (they/them) describes themselves as a “clown by night and student by day,” and the “clown accessories” they sell directly represent that. Their crocheted collars and gloves, as well as their painted clay earrings, are playful and fun creations “for the everyday clown,” made from secondhand supplies.
“I try to make them unique. I feel like I haven’t seen that much stuff like this before, so I was like, ‘well, there’s a gap, and I suppose I can fill it,” said Mars.
As a full-time environmental journalism student, it’s difficult for them to find the time for their art. They haven’t been at any markets since summer, but they said that they try to find little gaps where they have the time and dedicate it to their art.
“I think I’ll always be creating, [but] I don’t know if I’ll always be selling it. I love to create for friends or family, or for making things last longer, like mending and giving like clothing a new life. […] It’s rewarding and it’s nice, but it’s a lot of work,” said Mars.
Though they don’t think that selling their art is what they want to do, they feel privileged to be able to sell their creations. It’s given them a new perspective on their work.
“I had never considered myself an artist, but now I do,” said Mars.
As a student, it can be hard to balance every facet of one’s life, but as Mel, Safiya, and Mars show, it’s important to make time for creativity and community and to take the risk of putting yourself out there. You could even make some money while you’re at it, and if you don’t, you’ll at least make some art and some friends.
You can find Mel Lowe (@mels.shells), Safiya Nazerali (@_crunchybeans), and Mars (@miatoeclown) at their art accounts on Instagram and at local Bellingham markets.