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PERSPECTIVES II is open for viewing Sept 1 - 28 in Tasca Chevrolet at 700 W Dundee Rd, Wheeling, IL during regular business hours (10-5)
About the Art Project
About the Art Project
This is a process project. Artist Barb Sorensen is photographing how nature interacts with trash in a section of the Potowatomie Forest Preserve on Milwaukee Ave., in Wheeling, IL, and then also cleaning up the trash in that section of the woods.
The mission for the artist portion of this project is to create a traveling art exhibit featuring pictures of trash from this part of the Midwest. The exhibits will include:
100+ photographs
Video of behind the scenes work done putting this project togethermiddle o
Decorative Art made from some of the pieces of trash collected
Photographs of the clean up crew in process
Each exhibit will also be offered 1 hour sessions in the middle of the month for viewers to try their hand at making art from trash and having it photographed and optioned to be included in the traveling exhibit, and to ask questions of the artist
"Man-on-the-Street" type interviews with random people in public places to add to the video
A website where visitors can view upcoming display dates, post their own Trash Art Cleanups/Exhbits.
Short stories created about certain pieces of the trash collected
To explore where it came from, why, and how it got there
To clean up all the trash, after we have photographed and videotaped it
To dispose of the trash and recyclable items properly
To give due thanks and appreciation to the businesses that sponsor this event
To seek out 12 exhibit locations/year to display this project.
To network with curators and museum exhibit coordinators
To be inclusive of other businesses as advertising sponsors
To offer a fun community service project for people to get volunteer hours on while doing good for the community
The Objective of this project is to have fun with the trash and how nature plays with it, while also cleaning it up. I hope to encourage and inspire others to go have fun cleaning this stuff up by creating theirown exhibits as well.
How this project began (Background/History)
On an unusual out of season warm February day in early February 2026, I, Barb Kronau-Sorensen, went for an afternoon walk. Being new to the neighborhood, I decided to head north on Milwaukee avenue to explore the surroundings there. On the way, I noticed a lot of trash on the side of the road. Being an artist, and ever curious, I found a nice almost new screw driver lying in the dirt. I picked it up and examined it to see if it was still in good condition. To my luck, it was. Then I looked around to see if possibly it belonged to some one nearby. But there was no one around except lots of traffic rushing by. So I pocketed it, straightened myself up, and took a look at the edge of the forest there. I was standing next to the Potowatomie woods along the street. I saw how after the snow had melted, there revealed a LOT of trash strewn throughout the woods. I looked a little closer and found some interesting things, shapes, and objects. I was amazed and a bit intrigued by the ways nature wraps itself through and around these randomly tossed rejected items from humans. So I took out my little gopro camera and began photographing the "mess" and the interesting ways the trash and nature interacted. As I continued on my walk, I thought about how many people it might take to clean this stuff up. I considered the animals that poke in and around the trash and how it affects their habitat and paths in life. I wondered how all this trash got here. Was it tossed from cars? Did it fly out of garbage trucks on windy days? Did it fly from business yards across the street on windy days? Do the business owners want their signs and blown-away banners back? Do they care? Do they miss the items? How much these items must have cost their owners who created them... and on and on my thoughts went, and my questions left unanswered. They didn't need to be answered. I recognized how each piece of trash, has it's own individual story and journey it has been on. I began to write these stories in my mind as I imagined where the items came from and how they got there. Pretty soon, as I continued to walk north, I came across a little bank. I walked in to ask if they would consider sponsoring a cleanup project/art exhibit created from some of the trash I could find there and interesting photos of how nature interacts with the trash. They were interested and told me to send the info. When I got home, I remembered I had met one of the owners of an environmental type group called Cleanup-Giveback. I was impressed with their service work and how well they cleaned sites up. So I found them online and gave them a call. To my luck, they still had a date available and they sent me a flier to begin recruiting volunteers.... And that is how this project began. Curiosity of an artist, and a desire to live in clean surroundings. You can read updates on this project as it comes along in the blog below. If you have any questions, would like more info, would like to be an advertising sponsors in support of the project, or to join a cleanup, please send me a message.
About Barb Sorensen - Renaissance Syle Artist
Click here to read more about the artist
BLOG
09/16/2026
09/16/2026
09/16/2026 - Wow! Thank you to all the new sponsorships coming In. Wow! There are so many businesses that care very deeply about the environment. I a encouraged to see it. Thankyou!
I've been super busy. I installed the new Big Scren TV from eWorks! THANK YOU!!! You put the key piece in place for the 100+ photographs I took.
Bubbles the amcot stopped by last week and I videotaped the interview with him as he learned about litter. This is a special promo piece I did for The Leaarning Experience in Wheeling on Dundee Rd. What a delightful character - Bubbles! Thanks!
You can watch the video here.
I have added a few new pieces to the exhibit as well.
There are now 16 decorative art pieces. This includes 2 pieces from my Japanese Neglish students this past spring. Yuino and SHogo made shadowboxes out of old cleaned plastic berry containers from the grocery stores. They added fairy lights to the inside and there are many compliments coming inf or their hand drawn art.
I am currently still concepting the shipping boxes for this exhibit. How to best transport them?
I have been invited by Midland St,ates Bank Gateway Center in Belvidere, IL to bring teh exhibit there for the month of October. How cool is that?! LOL I am looking forward to it.
In the meanwhile, I am having the first DIY Trash Art Day at Tasca Chevrolet on September 19th - this coming Saturday - between 1am and 2 pm. Bring your own cleaned litter and I supply the glue, riubbons, paper and tape. let's build and create some cool stuff!
I am still seeking sponsors to bring on board. This project takes a lot to put together and keep it maintained. I need to raise about $5000/month.
Please reach out to me if you would like to be a part of this project. emcy.sponsors@gmail.com Thank you!
Please email me if you have any questions, or would like to donate to this project. Thanks! emcy.equipment@gmail.com
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this project thus far and those yet to come. I appreciate all you do.
Special thank you to Cleanup-Giveback for their amazing support! and clean up work.
Peace
Barb
The Learning Express - Dundee Rd., Wheeling, IL
09/07/2026
09/07/2026
09/07/2026 - Well I did it! The exhibit is up and running since last Tuesday for the public. I finally have a moment to catch up a little sooner on this blog.
Thank you to everyone who came out to help cleanup the forest and also support this exhibit. I apprecaite all you have done.
I had a busy schedule last week. Setting up the art work, printing up the signs and info sheets, finished interviewing and editing the "man-on-the-street" style interviews about people's experiences with litter. (Great stories! how fun! I enjoyed that). Picking up the cake for the grand openings (Thanks El Mana Bakery!)
I struggled a bit with the display of the pphotographs. I had planned on printing them on paper. But they didnt look as good as on ther laptop screen. So I used my laptop for the public to view them. But then I also needed to use my laptop to keep doing my other projects on it. I found a solution when I called the Wheeling Chamber and they referred me to eWorks! Thank you Mike! eWorks is an organization in Wheeling that takes in and recycles, refurbishes/resells, updates, and or re-uses etc.. old electronic devices and gadgets.
I stopped in there to see about picking up another laptop screenaand instead they donated a beautiful refurbished big screen TV to view the pictures on. wow!!!! Thank you eWorks! It is exactly what is needed for this project!
I also had the pleasure of intervieiwng Bubbles - the mascot for The Learning Ecperiene Daycare and Pre-school in Wheeling. Bubbles came by to learn about litter. we video taped it for one of. the school's learning modules for the children at that daycare. I enjoyed that. Bubbles gives great hugs! Thanks Bubbles.
Thanks also to the new and wonderful sponsors for this proejct. I truly appreciate your generosity and ecological concerns to help keep litter out of the woods, and to help keep the focus on having fun with litter and the process of cleaning up, and putting back good positive happy vibes and fun karma into the universe while doing this.
Graze Craze, The Learning Experience and eWorks! THANK YOU!
I am currently building the shipping boxes for this exhibit.
The next stop on the "tour" across the Midwest is in Belvidere, IL for October at the Midland States Bank - Gateway Center. Thank you Midland! for the invitation to bring this proejct for display in your lobby/waiting area.
I will post more details as I get them.
I am still seeking sponsors to bring on board. This project takes a lot to put together and keep it maintained. I need to raise about $5000/month.
Please reach out to me if you would like to be a part of this project. emcy.sponsors@gmail.com Thank you!
Please email me if you have any questions, or would like to donate to this project. Thanks! emcy.equipment@gmail.com
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this project thus far and those yet to come. I appreciate all you do.
Special thank you to Cleanup-Giveback for their amazing support! and clean up work.
Peace
Barb
El Mana Bakery of Wheeling (on Dundee Rd)- THANK YOU! for offering to provide the VIP Grand Opening with some amazing looking and delicious cakes! I am looking forward to this!
Junkie's Junk Removal - THANK YOU!!!!! for coming on board to support this art exhibit! We truly appreciate it!
STAVROS LAW - THANK YOU!!!! We appreciate the use of your parking lot and your support. Hope you enjoy the clean view outside your front door. :)
Matt's Cookies! - Wow! THANK YOU! for the delicious cookies and support. I have enjoyed getting to meet you and the cookies are delicious! and fresh! Your cookies helped make a very nice time for our volunteers to unwind after the event. Thank you.
La Casa De La Alegria - THANK YOU! for being an early supporter of this project and for your continued support and concern and love for the welfare of this community and area.
Thank you Saranello's Restaurant for the gift card for our volunteer's drawing. I am sure the winner will be enjoying a very delicious meal there.
Thank you Armo Grill for the gift certificate for our volunteer drawing. Your friendly ambience and delicious food will be a great pick-me-up for the winner.
Graze Craze - Lake Cook Rd, North Wheeling, IL
08/27/2026
08/27/2026
08/27/2026 - Oh! It's already the 27th of August! I have been very busy behind the scenes here. Sending out press releases, hanging posters, distributing leaflets, talking up the event with everyone I meet, working on the art pieces, interviewing and editing videos, gathering sponsors, sponsor rewards, posting on social media, and sending out tons of emails and making tons of calls. I look forward to finally being able to set up the exhibit tomorrow afternoon. And a nice hot shower and sleep before the CREW VIP opening on Saturday. I hope all you crew members will come! You have played a super important role in this exhibit and with my dream to clean up woods. Thankyou! I would love to celebrate our accomplishents together! El Mana Bakery in Wheeling is providing a delicious cake and Tasca is Providing coffee/tea, and I will also have water bottles available. See you soon!
I am still seeking other sponsors to bring on board. Please reach out to me if you would like to be a part of this proejct. emcy.sponsors@gmail.com Thank you!
I am also looking for a really good video editor to help me piece together the interviews and videos for this. PLease send you interest to emcy.interns@gmail.com
Please email me if you have any questions, or would like to donate to this project. Thanks! emcy.equipment@gmail.com
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this project thus far and those yet to come. I appreciate all you do.
Special thank you to Cleanup-Giveback for their amazing support! and clean up work.
Peace
Barb
I am also very grateful to the following business for being sponsors for this art project/cleanup. Thank you!
El Mana Bakery of Wheeling (on Dundee Rd)- THANK YOU! for offering to provide the VIP Grand Opening with some amazing looking and delicious cakes! I am looking forward to this!
Junkie's Junk Removal - THANK YOU!!!!! for coming on board to support this art exhibit! We truly appreciate it!
STAVROS LAW - THANK YOU!!!! We appreciate the use of your parking lot and your support. Hope you enjoy the clean view outside your front door. :)
Matt's Cookies! - Wow! THANK YOU! for the delicious cookies and support. I have enjoyed getting to meet you and the cookies are delicious! and fresh! Your cookies helped make a very nice time for our volunteers to unwind after the event. Thank you.
La Casa De La Alegria - THANK YOU! for being an early supporter of this project and for your continued support and concern and love for the welfare of this community and area.
Thank you Saranello's Restaurant for the gift card for our volunteer's drawing. I am sure the winner will be enjoying a very delicious meal there.
Thank you Armo Grill for the gift certificate for our volunteer drawing. Your friendly ambience and delicious food will be a great pick-me-up for the winner.
08/15/2026
08/15/2026
08/15/2026 - Wow! Well I went and did it! LOL I have a venue space for the art exhibit. HUGE THANK YOU! to Tasca Chevrolet of Wheeling, IL for hosting the exhibit in their beautiful comfortable dealership gallery space. Thank you!
Ok, the wheels are tunring a little faster now that I have a venue, I can begin to finalize commitments to sponsors, draw up the layout for the display and more.
I am still gathering frames for some of the pictures. if you have any you would like to donate, please send me an email at emcy.equipment@gmail.com. All sizes are welcome. thanks!
Thank you to El Mana Bakery of Mundelein and Wheeling for sponsoring the Grand Openings of the exhibit for the Crew, the Media and the VIP Sponsors. We love your beautiful tortes!
I have been prepping a few more Man On The Street style interview and will be editing them in a week. Wow, time is suddenly picking up speed again.
I also stil need to put the stories in laminate or perhaps I will print them as a booklet. And I would really love to take the time to prepare a custom sound track for teh exhibit, before the Grand opening. But I think I need to wait until afterards due to time constraints.
I am still seeking other sponsors to bring on board. Please reach out to me if you would like to be a part of this proejct. emcy.sponsors@gmail.com Thank you!
I am also looking for a really good video editor to help me piece together the interviews and videos for this. PLease send you interest to emcy.interns@gmail.com
Please email me if you have any questions, or would like to donate to this project. Thanks! emcy.equipment@gmail.com
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this project thus far and those yet to come. I appreciate all you do.
Special thank you to Cleanup-Giveback for their amazing support! and clean up work.
Peace
Barb
I am also very grateful to the following business for being sponsors for this art project/cleanup. Thank you!
El Mana Bakery of Wheeling (on Dundee Rd)- THANK YOU! for offering to provide the VIP Grand Opening with some amazing looking and delicious cakes! I am looking forward to this!
Junkie's Junk Removal - THANK YOU!!!!! for coming on board to support this art exhibit! We truly appreciate it!
STAVROS LAW - THANK YOU!!!! We appreciate the use of your parking lot and your support. Hope you enjoy the clean view outside your front door. :)
Matt's Cookies! - Wow! THANK YOU! for the delicious cookies and support. I have enjoyed getting to meet you and the cookies are delicious! and fresh! Your cookies helped make a very nice time for our volunteers to unwind after the event. Thank you.
La Casa De La Alegria - THANK YOU! for being an early supporter of this project and for your continued support and concern and love for the welfare of this community and area.
Thank you Saranello's Restaurant for the gift card for our volunteer's drawing. I am sure the winner will be enjoying a very delicious meal there.
Thank you Armo Grill for the gift certificate for our volunteer drawing. Your friendly ambience and delicious food will be a great pick-me-up for the winner.
07/29/2026
07/29/2026
07/29/2026- Well it's been a busy month behind the scenes. I've been fashioning the artwork, building it, cutting cardboard, sourcing frames from LeCurbside Shop, and prepping the "man-on-the-street" style interviews. I had a venue lined up, and then it fell through. I've been stuggling with finding another appropriate spot in Wheeling that is willing to have an art exhibiut there. So, as time has crept up faster than I would have liked, I made the tough decision to postpone the Grand opening of the exhibit until the end of August. Back to the drawing board and trying it again. Thanks for your patience.
Please email me if you have any questions, or would like to donate to this project. Thanks! emcy.equipment@gmail.com
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this project thus far and those yet to come. I appreciate all you do.
Special thank you to Cleanup-Giveback for their amazing support! and clean up work.
Peace
Barb
I am also very grateful to the following business for being sponsors for this art project/cleanup. Thank you!
Montserrat Bakery - THANK YOU! for offering to provide the VIP Grand Opening with some amazing looking and delicious cakes! I am looking forward to this!
Junkie's Junk Removal - THANK YOU!!!!! for coming on board to support this art exhibit! We truly appreciate it!
STAVROS LAW - THANK YOU!!!! We appreciate the use of your parking lot and your support. Hope you enjoy the clean view outside your front door. :)
Matt's Cookies! - Wow! THANK YOU! for the delicious cookies and support. I have enjoyed getting to meet you and the cookies are delicious! and fresh! Your cookies helped make a very nice time for our volunteers to unwind after the event. Thank you.
La Casa De La Alegria - THANK YOU! for being an early supporter of this project and for your continued support and concern and love for the welfare of this community and area.
Thank you Saranello's Restaurant for the gift card for our volunteer's drawing. I am sure the winner will be enjoying a very delicious meal there.
Thank you Armo Grill for the gift certificate for our volunteer drawing. Your friendly ambience and delicious food will be a great pick-me-up for the winner.
06/30/2026
06/30/2026
06/30/2026- I am still writing up the stories for this exhibit, and collecting "man on the street" style interviews and hustling up more sponsorships for the proejct. Thank you to all the sponsors on board thus far! Your faith and enthusiasm in this project is agreat reminder of why I do this. It truly is fun!
I found an ideallocation for the opening of the exhibit and for one month run in Wheeling. Am working through teh logistics with teh realtor right now. hopefully I can get thisp lace. if not.. it's back tot he draewing board.
Running errands, working on the artwork pieces, and shopping Le Curbside Shop for more picture frames. I have about 10 and need about 90 more . Please email me if you have any you would like to donate to this project. I can give you credit in the signs at the exhibit ifyou like. emcy.equipment@gmail.com
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this proejct hus far and those yet to come. I appreciate all you do. Special thank you to Cleanup-Giveback for their amazing support! and clean up work.
Peace
Barb
I am also very grateful to the following business for being sponsors for this art project/cleanup. Thank you!
Montserrat Bakery - THank you! for offering to provide the VIP Grand OPening with some amazing looking and delicious cakes! I am looking forward to this!
Junkie's Junk Removal - THANK YOU!!!!! for coming on board to support this art exhibit! We truly appreciate it!
STAVROS LAW - THANK YOU!!!! We appreciate the use of your parking lot and your support. Hope you enjoy the clean view outside your front door. :)
Matt's Cookies! - Wow! THANK YOU! for the delicious cookies and support. I have enjoyed getting to meet you and the cookies are delicious! and fresh! Your cookies helped make a very nice time for our volunteers to unwind after the event. Thank you.
La Casa De La Alegria - THANK YOU! for being an early supporter of this project and for your continued support and concern and love for the welfare of this community and area.
Thank you Saranello's Restaurant for the gift card for our volunteer's drawing. I am sure the winner will be enjoying a very delicious meal there.
Thank you Armo Grill for the gift certificate for our volunteer drawing. Your friendly ambience and delicious food will be a great pick-me-up for the winner.
05/21/2026
05/21/2026
05/21/2026- I have been busily writing up the stories for this exhibit, and collecting "man on the street" style interviews and hustling up more sponsorships for the proejct. Thank you to all the sponsors on board thus far! Your faith and enthusiasm in this project is agreat reminder of why I do this. It truly is fun!
I dont have any big news to share right now. It's been daily activities, reaching out to venues spaces to negotiate the opening gallery and date with details, running errands, working on the artwork pieces, and shopping Le Curbside Shop for more picture frames. I have about 10 and ned about 90 more . Please email me if you have any you would like to donate to this project. I can give you credit in teh signs at the exhibit. emcy.equipment@gmail.com
I decided to have the exhibit Grand opening spread out over three days in order to accommodate all the people involved. Day 1 VIP closed and private viewing of the exhibit for top end sponsors and media, Day 2 Crew and VIP sponsors, Day 3 Grand opening for the general public. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this proejct hus far and those yet to come. I appreciate all you do. Special thank you to Cleanup-Giveback for their amazing support! and clean up work.
Peace
Barb
I am also very grateful to the following business for being sponsors for this art project/cleanup. Thank you!
Montserrat Bakery - THank you! for offering to provide the VIP Grand OPening with some amazing looking and delicious cakes! I am looking forward to this!
Junkie's Junk Removal - THANK YOU!!!!! for coming on board to support this art exhibit! We truly appreciate it!
STAVROS LAW - THANK YOU!!!! We appreciate the use of your parking lot and your support. Hope you enjoy the clean view outside your front door. :)
Matt's Cookies! - Wow! THANK YOU! for the delicious cookies and support. I have enjoyed getting to meet you and the cookies are delicious! and fresh! Your cookies helped make a very nice time for our volunteers to unwind after the event. Thank you.
La Casa De La Alegria - THANK YOU! for being an early supporter of this project and for your continued support and concern and love for the welfare of this community and area.
Thank you Saranello's Restaurant for the gift card for our volunteer's drawing. I am sure the winner will be enjoying a very delicious meal there.
Thank you Armo Grill for the gift certificate for our volunteer drawing. Your friendly ambience and delicious food will be a great pick-me-up for the winner.
04/22/2026
04/22/2026
04/22/2026-Wow! Time has flown! I have been gathering "Man on the street" stylein terviews fro folks and I am laughing so hard! Some of your experiences are really funny! I can hardly wait to show the general public the videos. thank you! for sharing your stories.... We have a wonderful cake sponsor for the VIP Grand OPening on July 31st - Thank you Montserrat Bakery of Wheeling for pitching in with some beautifully decorated cakes wtih fruit on top! I created an interesting brooch with some of teh trash I found, for the display also. Ad brought on a new sponsor - Junkie's Junk Removal ! Thank yout Thomas! Have been busy assimilating pieces and parts, videos and images and trying to keep them all in teh same folder Funny how when things get super busy, I tned to create new folders on the desk top and then have to merge them all together when I have a moment. Am woring on the invitations and negotiating venue details. Will keep you updated as it comes together.
I had no idea that Wheeling does not have a single Art Gallery! So I have been seeking out coffeehouses, cafe's, interesting business and public locations where we can show the exhibit. Maybe I can open a gallery of my own for all future exhibits I and the artists on the roster create. Now there's a fun idea.. I am open to suggestions! The space needs to be about 10'x20' minimum. larger is preferred. and the hours need to be open between 12pm and 9 pm at the minimum so that people can see it after their work days. and on weekends. The library is all booked up. already :(. I have other libraries and venues reach out to me to bring the exhibit there after August, so I am already working on that too. this is fun. It jus doesn't work in a straight line sometimes LOL.
Hope you are all well.
Peace
Barb
Thank you Cleanup-Giveback for partnering on this cleanup! Your organizing skills and availability of tools, vests, buckets and bags was invaluable! I am so grateful to everyone yesterday for helping.
I am also very grateful to the following business for being sponsors for this art project/cleanup. Thank you!
Montserrat Bakery - THank you! for offering to provide the VIP Grand OPening with some amazing looking and delicious cakes! I am looking forward to this!
Junkie's Junk Removal - THANK YOU!!!!! for coming on board to support this art exhibit! We truly appreciate it!
STAVROS LAW - THANK YOU!!!! We appreciate the use of your parking lot and your support. Hope you enjoy the clean view outside your front door. :)
Matt's Cookies! - Wow! THANK YOU! for the delicious cookies and support. I have enjoyed getting to meet you and the cookies are delicious! and fresh! Your cookies helped make a very nice time for our volunteers to unwind after the event. Thank you.
La Casa De La Alegria - THANK YOU! for being an early supporter of this project and for your continued support and concern and love for the welfare of this community and area.
Thank you Saranello's Restaurant for the gift card for our volunteer's drawing. I am sure the winner will be enjoying a very delicious meal there.
Thank you Armo Grill for the gift certificate for our volunteer drawing. Your friendly ambience and delicious food will be a great pick-me-up for the winner.
03/31/2026
03/31/2026
03/31/2026 Time has been flying by as I am creating the exhibit pieces. I was laughing at the funniness of storing "trash" in a locker I pay for, to keep the"Trash" safe until the exhibit begins to be displayed. This is adding up to be some pretty expensive "trash"! LOL. But it's going to be an awesome exhibit!
I was thinking how, if someone who did not know me and my work saw everything in my ocker, they would not understand why someone woudl store such trash and pay to store it safely! LOL... They would have to know I am an artist and that these pieces are for a exhibit. PERSPECTIVES II
I've got video footage and photographs I am sorting through and prepping for print. We found two hub caps in the cleanup. One of them will be a wreath made with other items I found in the woods cleanup,. The other one, I would really like to make it a wreath of butts! LOL. Clean up your thoughts! Not those kind of butts! But there were millions of cigarette butts tossed in the woods. I thought it would be fun to decorate the hubcap with those to make a butt wreath LOL!!! . Will keep you updated on how that goes ....but, but,but....
I am still gathering sponsorships in support of this project. If you would like to be a part of this exhibit as a sponsor, please contact me at this link.
Thank you Cleanup-Giveback for partnering on this cleanup! Your organizing skills and availability of tools, vests, buckets and bags was invaluable! I am so grateful to everyone yesterday for helping.
I am also very grateful to the following business for being sponsors for this art project/cleanup. Thank you!
STAVROS LAW - THANK YOU!!!! We appreciate the use of your parking lot and your support. Hope you enjoy the clean view outside your front door. :)
Matt's Cookies! - Wow! THANK YOU! for the delicious cookies and support. I have enjoyed getting to meet you and the cookies are delicious! and fresh! Your cookies helped make a very nice time for our volunteers to unwind after the event. Thank you.
La Casa De La Alegria - THANK YOU! for being an early supporter of this project and for your continued support and concern and love for the welfare of this community and area.
Thank you Saranello's Restaurant for the gift card for our volunteer's drawing. I am sure the winner will be enjoying a very delicious meal there.
Thank you Armo Grill for the gift certificate for our volunteer drawing. Your friendly ambience and delicious food will be a great pick-me-up for the winner.
03/22/2026
03/22/2026
03/22/2026 THANK YOU!!!!!! Wow! we cleaned up the first 35-50 feet deep of the forest preserve and 460 feet long within 2 hours! Found some interesting things. Electronic gadgets, underwear, fake flowers, golf ball, liquor bottles, and single dollar bill. Thank you to all the volunteers that came out to help! Seeing how you cleaned up, was almost like watching a pac-man game! LOL! steady and continuous. Wow! We collected 36 stuffed bags of trash and I enjoyed working with you all! Thank you for taking the time and sharing your day for cleaning the trash up. I got a bunch of burrs on my clothes and hair but they came out pretty easily. The day was sunny and warm and not very windy, which really helped keep trash from flying all around. Thank you Cleanup-Giveback for partnering on this cleanup! Your organizing skills and availability of tools, vests, buckets and bags was invaluable! I am so grateful to everyone yesterday for helping.
I am also very grateful to the following business for being sponsors for this art project/cleanup. Thank you!
STAVROS LAW - THANK YOU!!!! We appreciate the use of your parking lot and your support. Hope you enjoy the clean view outside your front door. :)
Matt's Cookies! - Wow! THANK YOU! for the delicious cookies and support. I have enjoyed getting to meet you and the cookies are delicious! and fresh! Your cookies helped make a very nice time for our volunteers to unwind after the event. Thank you.
La Casa De La Alegria - THANK YOU! for being an early supporter of this project and for your continued support and concern and love for the welfare of this community and area.
Thank you Saranello's Restaurant for the gift card for our volunteer's drawing. I am sure the winner will be enjoying a very delicious meal there.
Thank you Armo Grill for the gift certificate for our volunteer drawing. Your friendly ambience and delicious food will be a great pick-me-up for the winner.
Onwards - I am now going into the post-production phase of this cleanup. This means I am assimilating, sorting and choosing which photographs and videos will be used as part of the official exhibit. Then I edit it, create and record the custom sound track/music I have been working on, and create decorative pieces of art from certain pieces of trash I saved. And I also start the pre-production phase of the Exhibit grand opening. I am looking for a venue within Wheeling for July 31st throiugh September 31st to show the exhibit in. I am open to your ideas and suggestions. Please send me a message via my contact page.
I am also still gathering sponsorships in support of the post-production phase and the grand opening of the exhibit. Please contact me via my contact page if you or your business would like to sponsor this project. Thanks for your consideration!
03/21/2026
03/21/2026
03/21/202 I have been super busy this week sending out press releases, talking with volunteers,and gathering supplies. thank you to wonderful sponsors in support of this project. yay!!! itis 12:6and I am getting ready to headout to the forest preserve. I learned that burrs are less likely to stick to jeans, thatn knitted things. Yesterday I spent an hour pulling burrs off my knit pants and out of my hair LOL! Lesson learned! I am ready today. Jeans, cap, hair pulled back, tall boots in case of mud, and bug spray to keep the ticks off of me. Looking forward to a fun event and lots of fun photos and videos, and to meeting all the volunteers that signed up. Thank you to CLeanup-Giveback.org for organizing the cleanup portion of this project. Their expertise is amazing!
03/16/2026
03/16/2026
03/16/2026
Wow! I have been busy this week. I walked all overtown asking businesses to support this Project. I Love their enthusiasm for the cleanup and the fun project. Thank you! This week Saranello's offered a gift card for $50 for a drawing for the volunteers. Thank you also to La Casa De Alegria Grocery for their generous sponsorship. I love going their to shop. Thanks to all the businesses for allowing me toh ang up fliers to recruit volunteers.
Yesterday it was 65 degrees outside and rained so much I coud not walk around to follow up . Today it is 20 degrees cold and snowy. LOL. THis weatheris amazing and kind of fun!
It is 7:31. I have been up since 5 am umpdatingthe website and sending out emails. Thanks to the volunteers that signed up thus far yay!!!! I am looking forward to a fun event on Saturday!
Thanks for reading. Peace, Barb
03/12/2026
03/12/2026
03/12/2026
What a great day! Sunny, not too hot, not too cold, and friendly folks all-around.
I walked 2hours distributing fliers for the cleanup and gathering sponsors for the project.
Today I received a gift card from Saranello’s restaurant for free drawing for the volunteers to win on March 21st. What a fun incentive for the volunteers. Thanks Saranello’s!
One of the local bakeries offered a free cake for the volunteers! How nice!
I am also gathering advertising sponsorships in support of the art exhibit creation. Thank you for all your interest thus far! If you would like your company to sponsor this project,please email me at Emcy.sponsors@gmail.com.Thanks! Barb
03/09/2026
03/09/2026
03/09/2026
I feel as if there are many layers to the stories of trash in the forest preserve. I have been exploring them on my walks. Their stories are coming out soon. In the meanwhile I been busy sending out email blaststo everyone I know to invite them to sign up to help cleanup this part of the woods. If you are reading this, I hope you have already signed up and are coming to help.
I have been busy hustling behind the scenes to get the proposal for sponsors written, and fliers copied. I ran into a slight snag with the printery. I was running copies of the flier to hang up around town and the roller got dirty from all the green ink and so I had to wait until today. hopefully the printer is functional again today.
I already hung posters in some of the local area libraries. Palatine, Arlington Heights, Indian Trails and I sent the digital file to Barrington Library for their digital billboard.
I walk by the woods every day. I see more trash every day there. Yesterday I found a nice, like new floor mat for the kitchen. I am guessing it blewoff a truck that may have roared by and not knowni t flew out of it's cargo. I don't know thestory behind the mat. But I found it lying there, neatly folded up, as if to say "Humans have worn out their welcome in this forest preserve with all this trash". Or perhaps it was a sign as to where the entrance is to the forest preserve to go see more trash. hmmm.. that latter perspective is much more positive. will explore it further and let you know what else I can find. Peace!~ Barb
03/06/2026
03/06/2026
03/06/2026
Hi, this is Barb. I just finished creating this website forthe project. I hope you like it. I am now tweaking the sponsorship proposal/package info so I can begin gathering financial support for the art setup, exhibit and cleanup. If you would like to sponsor this project, please send me an email from the contactg page. Peace!, Barb
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