CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today launched a limited-edition collection with Chicago-based street artist Penny Pinch in celebration of Earth Day which includes an upcycled tote bag made from licensed Cubs items including recycled jerseys and a hat featuring Penny Pinch’s signature “Pinch” character. Fans can purchase items from the collection starting Thursday, April 22, while supplies last, and proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Chicago Gateway Green.

Penny Pinch, who has been a street artist in Chicago since 2012, works entirely with free and found materials, never spending any money on supplies for his artwork. As an artist, Penny Pinch is inspired by simplicity, comfort and sarcasm and believes that art should be affordable and for everyone. His signature character “Pinch” wears a buffalo costume and can be found on street art throughout the city as well as on the “Penny Pinch x Cubs” hat included in this limited-edition collection.

“My ambition for this collection was to use recycled materials to make something beautiful,” said Penny Pinch when asked to describe the collection. “It’s important to think about our waste, what we can use and reuse and what we choose to throw away. Recycling is important – we need to remember that and to take care of our Earth and everyone around us.”

This limited-edition collection is the third in a series of collaborations the Cubs will launch this year created in an effort to raise up these important voices in the community, foster a dialogue around societal and cultural topics and recognize significant moments in time. The first collection was launched in February with Hyde Park native Nikko Washington in celebration of Black History Month and the second collection was launched in March with Logan Square resident Kate Lynn Lewis to celebrate women making history.

“As a ball club and historic venue, we try, in everything we do, to be cognizant of our carbon footprint and the impact we have on this Earth,” said Cubs Vice President of Marketing Lauren Fritts. “Through the implementation of several sustainable initiatives during the restoration of Wrigley Field to the installation of energy-efficient systems across our campus and receiving the LEED Silver certification for the front office, we consistently try to seek ways to make more environmentally friendly decisions as an organization. Penny Pinch’s ingenuity in taking something discarded and turning it into functional art is incredible and working with him on this collaboration to raise funds for an organization the Cubs have long supported in Gateway Green felt like a great way to help raise awareness for this important cause with our fans on Earth Day.”

Proceeds from the limited-edition collection will benefit Chicago Gateway Green, a nonprofit, public-private partnership dedicated to the greening and beautification of Chicago’s expressways, gateways and neighborhoods. While Chicago Gateway Green is known for their landscape enhancement, litter removal and the installation of public art, proceeds from this limited-edition collection will be used specifically for the planting of trees around Chicago. 

As part of the collection, Penny Pinch also created a sculpture out of found items and reused materials which will be installed in the Cubs Team Store in the ballpark Thursday, April 22, and will be visible to the public Friday, April 23. Fans can purchase the “A New Game” upcycled tote bag for $44.99 and the “Penny Pinch x Cubs” hat for $29.99 (plus applicable taxes and fees) starting Thursday, April 22, at 9 a.m. CDT at www.cubs.com/pennypinch while supplies last.