Adam Zanolini, Executive Director, Elastic Arts, 3429 W. Diversey

Adam Zanolini is a multi-instrumentalist, ethnomusicologist, writer, and arts organizer based in Chicago. He received his PhD from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York in 2016.  He is the Executive Director of Elastic Arts Foundation in Chicago and former Associate Director of Arts for Art, presenter of the annual Vision Festival of avant-jazz in New York City. He is also co-founder of the Participatory Music Coalition and member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians. Adam serves on the Board of the Live the Spirit Residency, producer of the annual Englewood Jazz Festival, and also on the Board of the Milwaukee Avenue Alliance. Adam plays flute, double bass, saxophone and other instruments, performing regularly with PMC, the AACM’s Great Black Music Ensemble, Sura Dupart's Sidepocket Experience, with Angel Bat Dawid and Gira Dahnee in addition to his own projects.  His highest ambition is to be a community musician: to cultivate and share knowledge through music in order to help heal, strengthen, and empower the Black community.

Carlos Hernandez, Founder and Executive Director, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, 3000 N Elbridge

Carlos R. Hernandez holds a Master in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Southern Illinois University. Carlos founded the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA) in 1996. In 2012, Carlos completed PRAA’s $2.5 million capital campaign and renovated an old fire station in the Avondale community of Chicago that now serves as the PRAA’s offices, gallery, and performance space. Carlos leads the production of the PRAA’s annual Emmy award winning National Cuatro Festival; implements its one-of-kind national Latin Music Project; directs El Archivo, an archival program documenting the historical migration contribution of the Puerto Rican community in the Midwest; and PRAA’s cutting edge exhibition and studio arts programs, among others. Under Carlos’ leadership the PRAA has established a reputation of extending its regional arts program outreach and collaboration with other Latino and non Latino communities. Carlos has developed inclusive programs which has led PRAA to become known as a unique culturally specific organization that promotes diversity while maintaining its mission and core values.

Dawn Marie Galtieri, Executive/Artistic Director, Voice of the City, 3429 W Diversey 2nd floor

Dawn Marie founded Voice of the City (VOTC) in 1999, combining years of artistic work in various disciplines, her background in and commitment to education, and her passion for local community work. VOTC builds community through Making Art and Teaching Art. As a multi-arts alliance, VOTC unites the finest Chicago artists with local residents, connecting quality arts experiences to community. With her husband, Christopher Ellis, and dozens of Associate Artists, DM has been producing arts experiences in Logan Square/Avondale, and along Milwaukee for two decades. Voice of the City was instrumental in establishing the Logan Square Chamber of Arts and launching the Hairpin Arts Center.

Enrique Morales, Co-Producer, Moods+Foods, Northwest Arts Connection, Woodard Plaza

Enrique is an artist, researcher, and educator.   As an artist, he is installation and lens based, while simultaneously immersed in social practice.  As a researcher, his focus is cultural policy, with an emphasis on the Art and Sport industries.  As an educator, Enrique's approach is to enhance diversity in thought, where listening is at the center.  Enrique sees all three facets being integral parts of a social practitioner.  In his spare time, he enjoys tennis, film, and nature.  

Gretchen Henninger, Executive Director, Hairpin Arts Center, 2810 N Milwaukee 2nd Floor

Gretchen serves as the Executive Director of the Hairpin Arts Center and is an activist, coach, writer, and artist. Gretchen holds an Associate’s Degree in Interior Design and a Bachelor’s Degree in Design and Activism from DePaul University. Since retiring as a Sr. Vice President of Institutional Sales at ABN AMRO in tax-exempt municipal bonds, she has focused on training in leadership, coaching and making the Hairpin Arts Center the place where arts and activism. Gretchen is committed to a world that upholds and respects the diversity of all people.

Iymen Chehade, Founder/Co-Artistic Director, Uprising Theater, 2905 N Milwaukee

Iymen Chehade is the founder of Uprising Theater, an arts organization dedicated to uplifting the voices of the historically marginalized by providing them with artistic platforms. He plans to renovate the building he owns at 2905 N Milwaukee into a home for the theater.

Iymen was born and raised in Chicago and is a Palestinian American actor, theater artist, social activist, as well as Professor of History at Columbia College Chicago and School of the Art Institute Chicago. As an artist, Iymen has performed in theater, film, and television. As a Professor, Iymen has been teaching for 16 years. He is a nationally known advocate in the area of human rights and public policy regarding the Palestinian Israeli conflict, along with academic freedom.

Kristina Daignault, Co-Founding Director, Extra Projects, 3551 W Diversey #1

Originally from Colchester, Vermont, Kristina Daignault is a co-founding director of EXTRA Projects, an exhibition and event venue at the border of the Logan Square and Avondale neighborhoods in Chicago. Since its 2018 inception, Kristina has curated or produced 10 exhibitions and more than 35 events alongside EXTRA’s curatorial team. Kristina has been recognized by Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) with a 2019 social practice grant. In addition to her efforts with EXTRA, she also serves on the leadership committee for Woodard Plaza, which helps to bring a broad spectrum of free public programming to the outdoor plaza. A community-building force and seasoned site-activator, Kristina looks forward to post-covid community activations. Follow EXTRA on instagram @extra-projects, or facebook @basicstudioschicago.

Nilda Esparza, Executive Director, Logan Square Chamber of Commerce, 2810 N Milwaukee

Nilda Esparza, born and raised in Pilsen, Chicago, is a DePaul University graduate with a BA in Business Management. Her work experience in both the private and public sectors have helped shape her community organizing skills. She combines a love of service to others with a natural ability to manage multifaceted operations all in the name of community/business development. Nilda has organized everything from parades, cultural exchanges, product launches and most recently the Logan Square Farmers Market as the Executive Director of the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce.

Time Brickey, Community Outreach Coordinator, I AM Logan Square

Time is a multidisciplinary performing artist from Chicago IL. He’s a tap dancer, actor, musician, singer, puppeteer, he does accents and voices, he stilt-walks… and he’ll do it on the spot. He’s hit stages all over, and people really seem to like him. Time serves as Community Outreach Coordinator at I AM Logan Square, and as a Producer at Elastic Arts Collective. On a given day you can catch him devising and improvising collaborative theatrical works, teaching and mentoring children, producing music, and composing tap choreography. He also operates a studio workshop where he makes and sells portable tap boards under the name of Time On The Wood.

Trevor Patrick-Watkin, Director of Operations, Access Contemporary Music, 3001 N Central Park

Trevor is ACM’s Director of Operations and teaches students in the areas of flute, piano, music theory, composition, and voice. He studied flute and composition at Point Loma Nazarene University and at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he also taught undergraduate Aural Skills and Music Theory. Trevor is composer-in-residence with The Right Brain Project, and received a Jeff Award for his musical score to Dream Theatre Company’s world premiere of The Black Duckling.

Lynn Basa, Founder and Executive Director, 2912 N Milwaukee Ave.(storefront)

Lynn is a practicing artist with a focus on painting and public art. The Milwaukee Avenue Alliance evolved out of her engagement with the community on Milwaukee Avenue where her storefront studio, Corner, is located. Lynn has an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, an MPA from the University of Washington, and a BA in ceramics from Indiana University. Before becoming a full-time artist she was the curator of the Safeco Insurance Company’s art collection and the founding director of the University of Washington Medical Center’s Art Program and collection. She is the author of The Artist’s Guide to Public Art, which is based on a course she developed at taught in the Sculpture Department at SAIC.