Welcome to Sharehaven!
A neighborhood place to nurture your curiosity, spark creativity and swap books and art
Sharehaven is a free little library and art exchange in Chevy Chase, MD. We invite you to browse, explore, savor and share books and pint-size, unique creative pieces.
—No library card or black turtleneck required
Stop by Our Sidewalk Nook
Chevy Chase couple Suzanne Wright and Rustin Quaide invite you to stop by their sidewalk nook, peek inside for a few moments of “collapsed time.” Enjoy the interplay of books and art — browse our bookshelf and delight in the newest artful arrivals to the little art gallery and “loft” space.
Sharehaven is located on Bradley Lane between Brookville and Melville in Chevy Chase, MD.
All about Sharehaven
A Little House of Creativity for Adults Too
Warning – Don’t let the artsy miniature furniture or whimsical vibe fool you.
Sharehaven is a place for both adults and children to embrace imagination and creativity.
For many adults (ourselves included), the faintest whiff of fun or play triggers objections like the dutiful shutdowns, “I’m too busy” or “I have work to do.” At Sharehaven, anyone and everyone is encouraged to take a joyful pause.
Shared Participation for All
Like Little Free Libraries, Sharehaven is co-generated through community contributions. Anyone may participate!
We contribute to the art-filled flow with Suzanne’s art, pieces we purchase from Etsy artisans, and of course, books from our collections.
Getting excited to share your art? Keep scrolling!
Creatives of all ages display in Sharehaven!
In this pic of Sharehaven, there are artworks by 5 year-olds, 40-somethings, plus folks who are 50ish, 60+ and nearing 90!
Painted Rocks Welcome
A Safe Haven for Creative Exchange
We look forward to contributions from artful newbies, recovering creatives, adults and children ages one to 101.
Get inspired to make something creative to contribute to Sharehaven – or a neighborhood Little Free Library near you.
Fun fact: You don’t have to be an “Artist” to make a creation for others to enjoy. Painted rocks are welcome at Sharehaven.
Bonus benefit! When you give your creative pieces – and books of course – you receive little pleasure hits from dopamine and other neurotransmitters.
Fostering Community Goodwill and Creative Connections
We moved back to Chevy Chase a few years ago, just before the pandemic, and beheld first hand the resilience of our community against difficult times. We hope Shareheaven can be a sign of reemergence for everyone and generate goodwill and foster creative connections between neighbors.
Ways to Participate
Follow our social media
We’re posting sneak peeks into the making on Sharehaven as well as interesting tidbits from the worlds of creativity, Free Little Art Galleries and Libraries.
We’ll be posting new arrivals - art and books, info about contributing creatives, and fun stuff.
Instagram - @Sharehaven.life
Facebook - @Sharehaven.life
Share anywhere!
Contribute creative pieces to a Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG) near you. Search the hashtags #FreeLittleArtGallery.
Drop off a little artwork in your neighborhood Little Free Library. Check out this map of Little Free Libraries around the globe from LittleFreeLibraries.org.
Sharehaven Guidelines
Coming Soon!
About Us
Suzanne Wright is an artist, certified life and creativity coach, educator, and owner of Art Well 4 Life, promoting well-being through creativity, mindfulness and neuroscience. A 7th generation Washingtonian, Suzanne loves the community of Chevy Chase, MD, which has been her family’s home since 1937. She earned her BA in Art History and Fine Art and her MA in Art History. During her career in art museums and teaching, Suzanne served as Director of Education and Community Engagement at The Phillips Collection for 17 years, retiring in 2019.
Rustin Quaide is a writer of both fiction and nonfiction, bibliophile, and a dabbler in the illustrative arts. He has worked in the archives arena at the National Register of Historic Places (US Park Service), the Virginia Historical Society, and the Virginia State Library and Archives. Rustin has written for the US Park Service, and has published works in fantasy fiction.
About the Little Free Library Movement
There are already over 100,000 Little Free Libraries worldwide! These beautiful neighborhood mini-houses, filled with books, have quickly become accessible, magical portals to discovery, learning, literacy, curiosity, and pleasure. With many schools and public libraries physically closed during the Pandemic, these Little Free Libraries became more important and impactful than ever.
You can find Little Free Libraries in your community (and across the globe) through the LittleFreeLibrary.org search tool.
About the Free Little Art Gallery Movement (FLAG)
Free Little Art Galleries — known as FLAGs — are popping up everywhere! They started gaining traction during the pandemic as a way to bring joy to others. Check out “Why Free, Miniature Art Galleries Are Popping Up Across the U.S.” from Smithsonian Magazine to learn more.