The Love Shack Activation

Hosted in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, The Love Shack is one of 20 community-run, free-food fridges within the larger mutual aid network called The Love Fridge Chicago. Our team sought to activate the nearby fence, which is visible from the CTA's California Pink Line station platform. The goal was not only to let neighbors know where to access free food (comida gratis) but also to create a sense of safety and visual interest around the access point.

We began this collaborative project in August of 2024 and installed later that year, just in time for the dark, cold winter months. The activation remains active today, illuminated at night by host fridge, James Wurm. The message is maintained due to persistent organizing effort of neighbors supporting neighbors. Full research deck available upon request.