Meet Edda Martinez | Collective Curator and Artist, Cut and Destroy Art Collective

We had the good fortune of connecting with Edda Martinez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Edda, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The honest answer might sound a little wild, but I truly birthed this idea. It happened during a Kundalini Activation Process session, not the yoga kind, but a type of energetic experience. In the middle of it, I felt a powerful shift in my body, like something new was being awakened. When I came back to full awareness, my facilitator told me she felt me give life to something. We both had chills and were trying to make sense of what had just happened.

That night, while I was lying in bed, the message came through clearly. I was being told to start an art collective. At first, doubt crept in, but I also felt a deep sense of reassurance. It was as if something was guiding me, telling me to trust, to take the leap, and that everything would be taken care of. Although I have always been optimistic, my relationship with faith has been complicated. Still, I chose to trust.

Creativity has always been a part of me. Collaging, in particular, has felt like the most accessible and natural form of expression. When I was younger, I would decorate my school agendas with cut-out images, stickers, and tape. It was an easy way to turn something ordinary into something personal. That feeling of transformation and play is what I hope to offer through Cut and Destroy.

I wanted Cut and Destroy to feel like a part of me, because in many ways, it is my child. I wanted it to be raw, expressive, and unafraid to be different. Something that stood out without trying too hard. Since I work in marketing, I understand how branding works, but this collective was never meant to be overly polished. It needed to feel alive and real, something that speaks directly to people who also feel like outsiders or creators in their own way.

The look and energy of the collective are shaped by the things that have always inspired me. I grew up loving 80s horror films, the chaos and color of Saturday morning cartoons, and the punk and hardcore DIY scene that taught me how to build something from nothing. The name Cut and Destroy is inspired by The Stooges’ iconic track Search and Destroy. All of this is mixed with my deep love for South Florida. The colors, the heat, the sounds, the layered cultures. It is wild and bold, just like the work we create.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
To formally introduce myself, I’m Edda Martinez, a Miami native, collage artist, and founder of Cut and Destroy. When I’m not running the collective, I work as a marketing manager for a global brand.

Honestly, nothing quite compares to the genesis of Cut and Destroy. That story still feels like the most exciting part of it all.

Cut and Destroy was born out of necessity and restlessness. I was going through a time of personal transformation. After a divorce, I found myself rebuilding everything: my space, my sense of identity, and ultimately, my joy. I did not have a plan. I just knew I needed to create.

It started with a single collage workshop I hosted at a friend’s record store. I brought in old magazines, books, scissors, and glue sticks. People showed up, connected, made things, and left feeling lighter. From there it spiraled in the best way possible. One event led to another and soon Cut and Destroy became more than a workshop. It became a space for people to explore themselves through art.

As I mentioned earlier, I wanted Cut and Destroy to be accessible, a space where people can truly be themselves. A place to put your phone away, release the stress of the week, and dedicate a few hours to yourself. I strongly believe in giving yourself permission to be creative. Just as we eat nutritious food to keep our bodies healthy and exercise to relieve stress, we also have a creative muscle that needs regular care and practice. Especially in today’s political climate, creativity matters. Art has the power to be revolutionary.

So what is Cut and Destroy? It is an art collective focused on collaging. We host workshops around Miami, but we are not your typical workshop where people just work on their own projects. Each participant receives a mystery cutout, a random image pulled from our archives, almost like a visual tarot card. That becomes the creative prompt. Participants are encouraged to interpret it however they want. We provide some materials on a first come, first served basis, but we also recommend that people bring their own so they can continue collaging at home. From there, everyone digs into our pile of books and magazines and begins building their visual story.

Why collage? Because we already collage in everyday life. We piece together ideas and symbols to make sense of the world around us. Music is a collage of rhythm, sound, and tone. Film is a collage of moving images, score, and dialogue. A meal is a combination of ingredients and flavors. Collaging is something anyone can do. No formal experience or fancy tools needed. You just need the willingness to create.

I did not go to art school, and I did not finish my bachelor’s degree. I used the knowledge I did gain, along with my curiosity and passion for life, culture, and trying new crafts, to get to where I am now. I have been called a Jane of all trades, and I take pride in that. One of the best things you can do is just show up and do the work. Some of the greatest musicians never had classical training. They jumped in, took risks, and created something that moved people. And honestly, some of the best musicians are not even technically perfect. They just have passion, presence, and a fearless sense of expression. That is what makes it art.

Getting the collective started was not easy. Most of it is run by me. I am lucky to have friends who come out to support, help with setup, and participate in the workshops, but there have been many times when I did it all myself. I had no idea how I would afford supplies or where I’d find books. I was scared to ask for donations but did it anyway, and people were incredibly generous. Through that, Bookleggers in Wynwood reached out and let me know I could always count on them for books. That kind of support reminded me why I do this.

My purpose is to build community. I want to bring people together and connect with them, maybe help someone out of a mental rut, a creative block, or simply offer a space where they can meet others who feel the same way. I believe the internet has made many of us more disconnected, and even I struggle with verbal communication at times. With so many art and music spaces closing across Miami and Broward, I often wonder where the next generation of punks and creatives will go to explore who they are and understand their place in the world. I want to help provide that space.

I am not here to judge or guide anyone. Cut and Destroy is about being yourself and taking off the mask we are sometimes forced to wear. You are not here to compete or prove anything. You are here to pour yourself onto a piece of paper.

Since all our workshops are currently free, we’re always looking for support to secure venue spaces. I am using this moment to speak it into existence. I hope to collaborate with galleries and museums to create something meaningful and fun. The dream is to eventually open a permanent space, part studio, part store, part community hub, where people can gather, share resources, and create without pressure.

Through Cut and Destroy, I have learned that what seems like destruction is often the beginning of something better. There is power in cutting things up and piecing them back together. That is what I want people to take away from the collective. It is not just about art- it is about building something new from whatever scraps you have left. So let’s cut and destroy some books!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think, like many artists, I tend to be a bit of a homebody, but I do have some favorite places I love to share with friends. Bookleggers Library is one of my top spots. It is the first and only free bookstore in Miami, and I am a regular there.

I definitely consider myself a foodie and I have a soft spot for Broward since I lived there for a while. Some of my favorite spots there include Marumi, Pho Brandon, Thai Meal, and Al Natour. All solid choices. When it comes to Miami, I am a big fan of places like SpecialTea, Tea-05, Four, Dogma, Caracas Bakery, El Bagel, La Latina, Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop, Andiamo’s, and of course Versailles. Support your local restaurants always.

I take myself on dates to Coral Gables and usually stop by Books and Books, The Golden Triangle, and Coral Gables Art Cinema.

I have to shout out Technique Records for all music and record needs and for helping kickstart my workshops, the Miami-Dade Public Library for supporting many of my events, and Gramps for being a venue where I have been able to explore a lot of my creative passions and where they serve really great drinks and the best pizza on a night out. Please try the Rosemary’s Baby drink and a slice of La Blanca.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This might not be the usual answer, but I have to thank my ex-husband first. If he hadn’t left, I don’t think I would have found the courage to figure out who I really am. His absence gave me the space to rebuild and create something entirely my own.

I also want to thank my friends who keep me grounded, and Henry Rollins’ One from None, which helped pull me out of the dark place.

Instagram: @cutanddestroy_mia

Image Credits
Tintype Portrait by Evan Garcia. Event Photos by Edda Martinez.