Jordan Bouchard stands next to two of his robot creations

By Lisa Parent

Medicine Hat artist fuses welding and creativity to build eco-friendly robot sculptures

Apr 30, 2024 | 4:36 PM

A Medicine Hat artist is embracing the saying, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” with his sustainable art creations.

Jordan Bouchard combines his welding and artistic skills to create “Rustbots”, robots made out of recycled metal.

So far Bouchard has created over 150 Rustbots, each with different personalities and names.

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“I just kind of fall in love with them, I get really attached to the end product,” Bouchard told CHAT News in his workshop.

Bouchard spends about 40 hours in the shop making each Rustbot.

“It’s such a good thing for my mental health to just create,” he said.

Bouchard keeps some Rustbots in his gallery, while others are sold to community members who connect with a piece.

Hatter Marco Jansen bought a Rustbot after falling in love with Bouchard’s artistic style.

Now, the Rustbot has become a backyard staple and it even helped to celebrate a family birthday.

Marco Jansen uses his Rustbot to celebrate his wife’s birthday

“There’s probably some phenomenal welders out there that can build you a fantastic truck frame, but can they make something like this? No, that’s special,” said Jansen.

“They’re all one of a kind. No one else in the world is going to have a Rustbot that you have.”

After forging a connection with Bouchard’s art, the two have also developed a friendship.

Jordan Bouchard and Marco Jansen stand beside one of Bouchard’s art pieces

“To connect with another person through their art is a really magical thing,” Jansen explained.

Bouchard encourages people to reach out to him on social media to tour his Rust Gallery, or donate recycled metal.

Bouchard will also be present at the Last Minute Market hosted in Town Square on May 10 and 11, showcasing his creations that he doesn’t plan to stop making anytime soon.

“I want to do this until I die. This brings me such joy.”