Give & Take: Swap Boxes for Allston-Brighton

Our newest interactive public art project, presented in partnership with Harvard EdPortal. On view at 224 Western Ave, Allston, MA, from May 2, 2025 to April 2026.

💡 About the Project

Give & Take is a new community project featuring three themed swap boxes—outdoor public boxes, each roughly the size of a microwave– where anyone can give or take free items. Think Little Free Library, but for more than just books: swap plants, toys, art, handmade goods, and more. Each box has a rotating theme, shaped by community input. At its core, Give & Take is a community-powered circular economy experiment that fosters generosity, sustainability, and joy by keeping items out of landfills, and transforming public space into a site of shared care.

🔄 Visit + Engage

Beginning May 2, 2025, stop by outside the Harvard EdPortal at 224 Western Ave, Allston, MA to take or leave items in the swap boxes. Additionally, through quarterly workshops, participants can learn new skills, craft items to share, and deepen their connection to the neighborhood. Check back soon for more info on workshops!

Current Box Themes (May–August 2025)

🌱 Little Free Greenhouse – plants, seeds, gardening supplies, any plant-related items

🎨 Maker Box – materials, supplies, and tools for the artist, crafter, or maker

🫖 Pottery Exchange – mugs, cups, bowls, vases, vessels— anything ceramic is welcome, including handmade or commercially made items

Thanks to our partners, the Ceramics Program at the Office for the Arts at Harvard and Create in Roslindale for generously contributing artisan-made pottery.

✏️ Take the Survey

Spend time in Allston–Brighton? What do you want to swap? Swap Box themes will change again in August 2025. Help shape future themes by taking our 5-minute community survey!

📣 Spread the Word

Want to share the project with your community? Download and share our poster.
Want to get involved? Email us at contact.nonissue@gmail.com.

Special thanks

to Monica Chiang, Eve Alpern, Gabriella Melchiorri, Kaylynn Mayo, Mel Taing, Jordan Carr, Maureen Kavanaugh, and the generous Cranston Street neighbors for making this project possible. Additional thanks to all of the local artists and creatives who have donated pieces and wisdom to the project.