You’ve probably heard about community pop-up libraries that have been, well, popping up for a few years now in cities around the world. But have you ever heard of a community art exchange? My friend Cheryl Cheeks came up with the idea of setting up a booth where people could leave art and take art, all for free. She pitched the idea, got a grant, and permission to place the art exchange in a local community garden. Once her dad Peter, a carpenter, had created the beautiful booth to hold the art contributions, the exchange was ready to go and launched on July 20, 2013.

The art exchange has been a great success and has surprised and delighted neighbourhood residents and park visitors and attracted considerable media attention. Everyone, it seems, can use a little more art in their lives! In the words of the explanatory message inside the booth, “Create. Share. Enjoy.”

Dude Chilling Art Exchange.

Offerings inside the art exchange booth.

Etched glass door.

Origami cranes.

Eagle sketch: my daughter’s contribution to the art exchange.

Brewery Creek Community Garden, home of the art exchange.

An old bicycle wheel transformed into art at the community garden.

Dude chilling on a dude chilling in Dude Chilling Park (“Reclining Figure” by Michael Dennis).

Click here to read more about the art exchange.