Austin is the largest community in Chicago with over seven miles in its range, yet the narrative that is told about Austin is one of violence, crime, and disinvestment. Project Stamp is a countermeasure, a program with hopes to reframe the narrative of Austin to focus on family and community. A way for neighbors to get to know neighbors.

Via this project, we offer free family and individual portraits centered around Austin community residents. We then used these photographs for the public beautification of the community by stamping them all over Austin. Stamping our neighborhood with our own narrative, our own brand, our own legacy: together.

This art book is the culmination of the collaborative efforts of our Redemptive Plastics Project. Authored by members of Cohort #2, Plastic Patrol, this is our first published book. Learn first hand about how this project has impacted our authors: Demarius Gillespie, Tae Dudley, Dejion Dudley + Darrius Mathis. Enjoy Poetry by Jan Menafee and Justus Cornelius Pugh and excerpts from local partners and our founders. In collaboration with Happy Returns Studio and Sophisticated Press.

In conjunction with the Pullman neighborhood and Chicago DCASE for the Passion of Pullman Organic Garden, we developed a fence made from redeemed plastic sourced from Chicagoland breweries who have continued to donate their can carriers.

Black [ plastic ] is beautiful + bountiful.

Alongside partner and visionary Palmyra Geraki, and in collaboration with Open Books of Lawndale, the Chicago Children's Museum, Plastic Patrol and Lila Galindo, the journey in creating this architectural marvel was truly special.

This Sukkah will find its permanent home across the street from Open Books on 16th Street. It will be a space where neighbors can gather, explore, and be transported through the pages of open books.

photograph by Robert Granoff for the Chicago Sukkah Design Festival

At our core, we welcome and encourage our community to create; we aim to nurture environments in order for art to flourish. In April 2024, we hosted a recharge event at Thatcher Woods and we’re delighted to share the results.

In summer of 2024, Plastic Patrol, a team of Redeemers from Cohort #2, team joined forces with The Blk Room to display creations from the Redemptive Plastics program, debut their podcast [ available to watch on YouTube ] and introduce new pieces from Cohort# 3. Turning Trash Into Treasure is an infinite mindset.

Led by designer and educator Norman Teague, an acclaimed collective of artists, designers, and community activists in Chicago built pavilion that explores themes of pedagogy, community, fellowship, and speculative community building. Exploring various forms of design, art, and architecture, the project is inspired by the teachings and writings of Anna and Frederick Douglass.

The Pavilion included stools made by Redemptive Plastics.

photo above by Cory Dewald

In collaboration with Blake Edúard Newbon of Art Clutch, Write it Down Collective, Marcus Alleyne and Fulton Street Collective, alt_ hosted an evening of art & jazz improvisation.

Artists, poets and musicians were invited to perform or improvise with our house band, while visual artists were invited to bring artwork for wall space on a first come, first served basis.

digital art by Marcus Alleyne

The Design Museum of Chicago’s annual outdoor program creates an approachable and surprising celebration of Chicago’s outdoor spaces through a design lens. Field Day is an annual summer event that brings together thousands of Chicagoans celebrate our environment, culture, and outdoor public spaces.

This year, we were excited to create an installation alongside our Boardwalk Bench in collaboration with Dark Matter Coffee and Violet Lucas.

C.L.A.Y. is an innovative pedagogy platform that helps young folks understand their potential in + out of the classroom and gives real time problem solving methods through the arts. Participants leave with the fundamentals of collaboration, conceptualization, and creation.  

Our focus is teenagers interested in art, expression and entrepreneurship with a predominant focus on disserviced youth. Participants are exposed to a range of professions within the art industry in a safe space. They receive mentorship with industry professionals while diversifying their collaboration, leadership and time management abilities.

A project inspired by the legacy of Bill Walker's Wall of Respect, this mural is a testament to the talent and creativity of artists Lila Galindo, Dorian Sylvain, Marcus Alleyne, Jordan Campbell and Keishjuan Owens. 

Thank you to Rich Alpech of We All Live Here Chicago and Nathan Miller for their invaluable contributions. 

This project has been made possible through the generous funding provided by Chicago DCase and Trina and Cornelius of T&C Fitness Club for emphasizing the health of our neighbors and welcoming public art.

See this mural at 5910 W. Chicago Ave

“At the Precipice considered the role of physical and emotional reactions in the era of climate disaster. Given the proliferation of dire headlines and a public response that vacillates between denial and fatalism, the exhibition explores the use of color, tactility, material, and data not to avoid or disguise the issues but to instead offer accessible entry points. 

Featured works utilize a wide scope of art and design methodologies to give shape to aspects of a daunting crisis as they interpret the real-world changes of rising temperatures, environmental destruction, forced migration, and the stark consequences of unsustainable lifestyles enjoyed by few at the expense of many. Included are works by Selva Aparicio, Morel Doucet, Zaria Forman, Luftwerk, Nathalie Miebach, Chris Pappan, Redemptive Plastics, The Tempestry Project (Chicago Collection), Migwa Nthiga, and Jean Shin. “

photo above by Eric Lu, as cited by DMOC

We were honored to exhibit at EXPO Chicago in 2024 as we debuted BS3, The Boardwalk.

This bench[composed of HDPE and casted steel] is a symbol of collaboration and the future. Working with our neighbors and community members, Co-Founders Happy Returns Studio, Violet Lucas, Austin Safety Action Plan [ASAP], The Green Beer Project, Half Acre Brewing Company, Dark Matter Coffee and Temperance Brewing Company, Redemptive Plastics shows what is possible when passion and sustainability meet art, faith and community.