One of my “Favorite Things” about Oak Park is discovering creative and unique places and spaces in our community. Many readers are familiar with Little Free Libraries, weatherproof boxes on posts with books that people can donate or take.
Sidewalk Joy, meanwhile, expands from book exchanges to art, puzzles, toys, mugs, seed swaps, dog stick libraries, and other free and whimsical items. It began in Portland, Oregon and has spread across the U.S. and to other countries. According to their website, worldwidesidewalkjoy.com, the map has more than 2,100 Sidewalk Joy installations around the world.
Thanks to local resident Megan Spillman, we get to take part in and enjoy Sidewalk Joy in our own community. Megan first discovered and was captivated by Sidewalk Joy when she visited Portland. She started Free Little Art Gallery Oak Park (1046 S. Kenilworth Ave.) in 2021.
“I loved the idea of sending a friendly signal to the community during the pandemic,” she said.
On the same block across the street and several houses north, there is also a Sidewalk Joy Kenilworth Car Library. My 3-year-old grandson, Sam, and I recently checked it out. Sam told me he had never seen anything like this before. He said, “I’m happy to donate my toy bulldozer to other children because I’m more interested in insects and reptiles now.”
In addition to art and toy car Sidewalk Joy, there are also mug exchanges in both south and north Oak Park: mugs and trinkets at the North Oak Park Mug Exchange, 715 N. Taylor Ave. and the Oak Park Swap Spot at 714 S. Oak Park Ave. Other Sidewalk Joy installations are being developed.
Since this series is called “Favorite Things,” I asked Megan about her favorite local Sidewalk Joy. She said, “That is so hard to narrow down. I love that the artwork in the gallery is contributed by people of all ages. One of my favorites was a drawing that a kid made of her parents. In Portland, I loved a Sidewalk Joy spot that featured buttons and small canvas paintings with affirmations next to a magnetic word display.”
For more information, readers can go to Megan Spillman’s Instagram page @freelittleartgalleryoakpark.
Joy Aaronson is an Oak Park resident who writes stories for Wednesday Journal/ Newswell about her favorite things in the village.