Children at the Woodridge Public Library create art with "trash to treasure" bird houses

Celebrating Black History Month, children at the Woodridge Public Library (WPL) created "trash to treasure" bird houses inspired by the work of African American artist Tyree Guyton and the famous Heidelberg House Project in Detroit. The Project's vision is to bring a community together through art.

Here in Woodridge, the community art collaboration began with WPL's teen volunteers preparing the art project by painting a base coat of bright paint onto plain wooden houses. Then parents and siblings worked together at the library's Family Art Studio event on February 2, 2026, with each family creating a one-of-a-kind decorated house using surprising upcycled materials. Everything came together, with more than 40 houses on display at an interactive exhibit, and visitors were asked to contribute an answer to "How can you make your neighborhood a better place?"

Along with viewing the artistic "trash to treasure" houses, the exhibit featured the storybook Magic Trash, by author J.H. Shapiro and illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Magic Trash explains how the Heidelberg Street neighbors use art to help create housing and opportunities in their neighborhood.

The Woodridge Public Library offers Family Art Studio and other creative and community-building events throughout the year, with registration required through the Library's Events calendar. All programs and events at WPL are free to area residents and library cardholders.