frequently asked questions
Don’t see your question below? Contact Megan at freelittleartgalleryoprf@gmail.com or on Instagram.
General info:
Q. Where is it located?
A. The Oak Park gallery is located at the corner of Kenilworth and Harvard in south Oak Park.
Q. How does this work?
A. Make art and/or take art. You don’t have to leave something to take something.
Q. When can I visit the gallery?
A. Gallery is open 24/7.
Q. Who can participate?
A. Everyone. All ages. Beginners highly encouraged. Everyone’s contribution is valued!
Q. What kind of art can I leave?
A. It is a little gallery, so maximum size for 2D art is roughly 11" x 10". Most pieces so far are closer to 4” X 6”. Anything smaller is fine too. 3D needs to be less than 8 inches in depth.
If you are leaving art, feel free to leave it in any part of the gallery without altering the inside of the gallery (no hooks, tape etc.). Also please make sure that pieces are completely dry before adding to the gallery.
Q: How do you track the pieces coming and going?
A: We will try to take photos of the gallery at least two times a day, so we will not be able to capture all the comings and goings. The gallery is funded and managed by volunteers. Please feel free to take photos yourself, and you can send them here. Or feel free to post and tag us on Instagram and Facebook @freelittleartgalleryoprf.
Q. Any other visitor tips?
A. Please be respectful of the gallery…Close the door carefully. The little people and easel are NOT to be taken. If you accidentally take them, please return them. No questions asked. Thank you for keeping the gallery in great condition for the next visitor to enjoy.
Some questions:
Q. Can I mail a piece to be put in the gallery?
A. Sure. Megan Spillman, 1046 S. Kenilworth Oak Park, IL 60304. No guarantees on when it will be added, but we will do our best!
Q. Who built the gallery?
A. The Oak Park gallery was built by the Oak Park Handy Human. They are our neighbors on the block, and they do fantastic custom work!
Q. Artists are giving away art for free? Is that fair to them? Shouldn’t they be paid?
A. Fair question. Yes, art is valuable. We deeply appreciate the generosity of all of the artists who contribute freely to the gallery. We tag their social media accounts when they share that info. If you see an artist’s work in the gallery and love it, reach out to them! Buy their art too!
Displaying art from our community and beyond is a way to make art accessible to all. Art for everyone…
Q. Who started this gallery?
A. Megan started plans for the Oak Park gallery after reading about one in Seattle. The seeds had been planted over the years…
Last spring she saw a neighbor couple out on a walk. They were both wearing Easter bunny costumes.
Years ago she saw a woman writing chalk poems near a Metra train station. She had moved to the area and didn’t know many people.
Bunny costumes and chalk poems make the world a little more colorful, gentle and fun. She hopes the free little art gallery brings joy to a corner of south Oak Park and helps people feel connected and delighted.
Check out the local newspaper’s coverage here: Little free art gallery makes art accessible to all - Oak Park
Megan is also the founder of peace & tidy and Oak Park’s lone KonMari certified professional organizer. No direct connection between the gallery and organizing, except…SPARKING JOY. It’s a way of life. Ask me more about both if interested: megan@peaceandtidy.com
Q. What if I have other questions about the gallery?
A. Please contact us at freelittleartgalleryoprf@gmail.com.
Land Acknowledgement:
Thank you to Dr. Erin Bergren, the author of the land acknowledgement for free little art gallery oprf. You can find it here.