Garbage-inspired Signs From Someone Else turns discarded objects into art
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- Local artist Nick Fletcher, a.k.a. Signs From Someone Else, turns found pieces into works of art that share humorous wisdom.
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- Local artist Nick Fletcher, a.k.a. Signs From Someone Else, enjoys bringing smiles to faces at local arts markets with artwork made of repurposed objects.
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- Nick Fletcher, who started making funny signs out of wood scraps, never imaged he’d start winning awards for his creations.
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- An art piece by Nick Fletcher, who says his art is inspired by garbage and memes.
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- Local artist Nick Fletcher, a.k.a. Signs From Someone Else, turns found pieces into works of unique art.
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- The gummy bear magnet, by local artist Nick Fletcher, a.k.a. Signs From Someone Else.
“Don’t throw that away! I have an idea!”
Utah native Nick Fletcher is celebrating his upcoming first solo show at The Bonneville this coming Friday during First Friday Art Stroll. Fletcher, producing under the business name Signs From Someone Else, creates signs from found objects with methods like wood carving and wood burning, and even out of concrete and enamel.
His signs strike a balance between humor and wisdom, sometimes both in the same sign.
Fletcher says he is inspired by many things: “Garbage,” he said. “Stuff out on the curb with a ‘free’ sign. Things that people feel have outlived their usefulness. I just see parts.”
As for the words of wisdom carved into his signs, he is inspired by a great many things. “Memes,” he said. “Memes are just ideas. Parts in and of themselves. I love to put my own twist on internet nonsense and wisdom. Profound rap lyrics you may have missed. Things that you knew were funny but forgot to laugh at. Preserving natural occurrences.”
“What keeps me coming back,” he said, “is watching someone come by my booth with a big ol’ frown until they eventually break into a smile because of something I carved into a 2×6.”
A cyclist for most of his life, Fletcher says he has always been a maker using found objects to make things, mostly bike ramps. After his grandfather passed, Fletcher inherited some wood-burning tools. “I started doodling up smart-ass signs for my yard on scrap wood. Always just for fun,” Fletcher said. His friend suggested Fletcher display his signs in a gallery, but Fletcher scoffed at the idea. “At the time, I didn’t know what I’d display. My house was my canvas and I couldn’t put that in a museum.”
In the summer of 2020, Fletcher had a nasty biking accident requiring surgery. During his recovery, he started experimenting with wood burning because it was low impact. Without health insurance, he was inspired to have an art sale to raise money for hospital bills.
“Pieces started to pile up. I was well enough to do the Indie Ogden Swap Meet (now called the Ogden Bizarre Market) that September. I wasn’t expecting the reaction. People actually took it seriously. Next thing I knew, I was on the news.”
Fletcher’s artwork not only created enough buzz for the news but also earned him several awards like Best Emerging Artist 2021 at the Ogden Arts Festival, first place Artist Choice at UAA Connect November 2022, featured in the SLCC Presidents Art Show and honorable mention at the 2021 OAC Community Art Show.
Fletcher credits his success to the Ogden community, especially the Ogden Bizarre: “I wouldn’t be there in the first place if it weren’t for a long time biking buddy @methandmacaroni. Everyone is really supportive and unique. I think a lot of people expect it to be competitive, like you need to hide your strategies or methods but it’s the opposite. Other artists and vendors are happy to tell you how to get a specific result.
“I can’t thank Dan, Lance and Audrey at Indie Ogden enough for how supportive they’ve been and for giving me a consistent platform to stand on. Audrey (@heybefab) has also been giving me coaching sessions helping me meet my creative goals.
“I was (also) heavily influenced by the profoundly creative BMX riders from the Ogden community like Matt Beringer, Tate Roskelley, and Fuzzy Hall. Also the muralist Rich Ramos, and whoever carved the sign on top of Ben Lomond.”
Don’t forget to stop at Fletcher’s debut art show at The Bonneville from 6-9 p.m. Friday. “This will be my first opportunity to bring all the big pieces that aren’t practical to bring to markets or necessarily even for sale. All the lights! Big things, funny things, things I’ve been talking about for months. As well as a number of charcuterie boards (that) I’m really excited to share,” Fletcher said excitedly.
Follow Fletcher on social media: @signsfromsomeoneelse, @themayorofroy and @ultracold50.