Head over to www.awesomeleague.org (live soon) to contribute to the conversation about what is awesome and possible in our neighborhood. If you would rather put pen to paper, grab a cup of tea at The Perfect Cup and post in person.

So, what’s this all about, anyway?

One part neighborhood installations. 

One part potluck series. (coming soon)

All parts community conversation.

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And how did this come to be?

Back in the Autumn of 2011, I received a grant from the Awesome Foundation Chicago to do a series of community potlucks and installations to ask with my neighbors “What is awesome about our neighborhood?” and “What is possible in our neighborhood?” 

A resident for 2+ years, I have loved to see our little Damen corridor develop. Straddling the divide of the studio and warehouse lined Ravenswood corridor and shop and culture filled Lincoln Square, the area around the Damen brown line stop has managed to carve out a lovely niche of antiques, small gifts, Asian food, and other delightful treats. The faces are friendly, the shops down-to-earth––it is a truly local scene. 

However, even so, for the past 16+months, when I walk to the train, I pass a handful of empty storefronts. And I always wonder what they were and what they could be.  After a year and a half of getting to know the neighborhood, its faces, its patterns– I was compelled to do more. I couldn’t open that new neighborhood hotspot, but I could be a neighbor who catalyzed conversation. 

This project exists digitally through this blog and www.awesomeleague.org and in various installations in the neighborhood. 

Watch this space. Send any questions, comments, and collaboration inquiries to Melanie at  LeagueofAwesomePossibilities@gmail.com.

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And what is the larger vision?

The true goal of these installations, provocations, and potlucks is to push forward positive development in the larger community. That might mean a new business, fresh partnerships, needed resources – it is all up to you. However, this is how I am envisioning the project’s evolution.