BARBARA KOENEN

Barbara Koenen, a Milwaukee-born artist, has become a pivotal figure in Chicago’s art community. After relocating to Chicago and earning her master’s degree at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Koenen started her pursuits in the art community. After the experience of over twenty years at the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Koenen revealed the city’s untapped potential as a hub for artistic growth. In 2007, Koenen launched the Chicago Artists Resource (CAR) website, a platform designed to empower artists by providing tools, resources, and rental opportunities to advance their careers. The site also features artist-centric neighbourhood guides and profiles of art professionals, offering invaluable insights for navigating the city's creative landscape. Building on this success, Koenen introduced the Creative Chicago Expo, an annual event that connects artists with workshops, professional development opportunities, and essential services. Additionally, she initiated the At Work Forums, which is dedicated to addressing the interests and concerns of artistic workers. Koenen devotes herself to fostering dialogue, collaboration, and resource-sharing among local artists to strengthen the city’s art ecosystem.

 

Notably, Koenen’s commitment to supporting artists reached new heights in 2017 with the establishment of the Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange (CCRX). This nonprofit organization focuses on sustainability and resource-sharing within the arts community. It predominantly focuses on the repurposing and redistribution of donations, including safe-working materials, supplies, and equipment, to Chicago teachers, nonprofits, and arts community groups. 

 

CCRx Practices: Fostering Creativity and Sustainability in Chicago

 

At the heart of Barbara Koenen’s Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange (CCRx) lies a mission that resonates deeply with both environmental and artistic communities: “to keep good things out of the landfill and into the hands of people who can use them”. Through innovative programs and efforts, CCRx ignites creativity and champions environmental stewardship, making it a cornerstone of Chicago’s sustainable art movement. One of CCRx’s flagship initiatives is its Creative Reuse Workshops and Events. This project aims to encourage imagination and promote skill-building among participants. These workshops, including the popular Make & Takes, allow individuals to explore creative reuse techniques, share ideas, and express themselves freely. Under the banner of the Imagination Station—an activity held under tents or within facilities—artists lead hands-on projects. These efforts encourage artistic expression and reinforce the importance of sustainability in everyday life.

 

CCRx’s vision is ambitious yet deeply rooted in practicality. It is to create a “sharing+ circular economy in which creative reuse is an integral part of Chicagoland’s infrastructure”. Although it is inspired by organizations like NY’s Material for the Arts and DuPage’s SCARCE, Koenen makes the idea of resource reuse location-based. In an interview with Lise Mckean in 2016, Koenen states: “There’s room for something that’s bigger and looks at the whole city”. Koenen seizes the opportunity to make it a place for the art community. Koenen herself has described the nonprofit as a “prescription for creativity,” which is a testament to its transformative impact on individuals and the community. Over the years, Koenen has tirelessly worked to expand CCRx's services and outreach, ensuring its programs continue inspiring and empowering artists and the arts community. 

 

The core values of CCRx align closely with those of the Chicago Humanities. By repurposing materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, CCRx exemplifies how sustainability and creativity can go hand in hand. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend an event at The Plant and interviewed with a CCRx staff member, Rebecca Mammoli. Through this conversation, I gained valuable insights into how CCRx leverages diverse sources of recycled materials to support its mission. According to the staff, they generally use recycled materials such as paper from magazines and books. It not only includes the reuse of materials but also involves a process of re-creation. I obtain more inspiration for sustainable practices. 

 

CCRx’s innovative approach to creative reuse reduces waste and builds a community of environmentally conscious artists and makers. Rebecca shared that artists come together because of their common beliefs in managing environmental issues and community. CCRx creates spaces for uniting artists and also connecting with communities. 

 

Beyond the connection between artists and the community, CCRx also emphasizes internal cooperation within the organization. People work in the workshops and use their creativity to make innovative objects and maximize their functions. At The Plant, I was surprised to see that even the most unassuming scraps of discarded paper find new life in the hands of CCRx. With a touch of ingenuity, they are transformed into artistic and functional creations. Punched with holes along the sides, they are reshaped and repurposed into containers of creativity and value. At the same time, CCRx establishes broad partnerships. According to Rebecca, the varying donations, such as tables, chairs and other art supplies in the store, come from different donors. This synergy mirrors CCRx’s own efforts to explore the intersection of art, culture, and collaboration, creating a supportive environment for these sometimes unusual paths.  

 

Under the leadership of Barbara Koenen, CCRx has transformed the distribution of random swag and surplus items into a treasure hunt, infusing the process with excitement and purpose while maintaining its more profound significance. Through initiatives like CCRx, the artistic landscape of Chicago is redefined and the city can set an example for cities worldwide in building a more sustainable and inclusive creative economy. As Barbara Koenen continues to lead CCRx with passion and vision, her work serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of sustainability, creativity and community collaboration.