Supporting Illinois' Arts Sector

Heaven Gallery, a nonprofit multidisciplinary art space, has been a vibrant fixture in Chicago's Wicker Park since its founding in 1997. As the neighborhood has evolved, the gallery remains a steadfast creative hub, offering a unique third space for artistic expression. Known for its holistic, intergenerational arts programming, Heaven Gallery plays a crucial role in connecting artists and audiences, providing a launchpad for emerging talent. It not only nurtures creative pathways but also contributes to Chicago’s dynamic cultural scene by offering mentorship and career opportunities to emerging artists and musicians.

This Sunday, Heaven Gallery will host its 7th annual Women's History Month Symposium from 10:30 AM–12:00 PM at Heaven Gallery, 1550 N Milwaukee Ave #2, Chicago, IL 60622. Co-presented with Equity Arts, the symposium—themed "Give to Gain"—celebrates generosity, collaboration, and equity by centering women's stories to inspire present and future leaders and spur community-led projects. Speakers include 1st Ward Committeeperson Laura Yepez, State Representative Eva‑Dina Delgado, and Executive Director of Global Girls, Inc., Christina Rice.

Alma Wieser, the executive director for 17 years, has been pivotal in shaping Heaven Gallery’s mission. She introduced a vintage retail shop to fund arts programs and initiated a mentorship program for aspiring art leaders. Her founding of Equity Arts in 2018 exemplifies her commitment to integrating art and real estate as a model for community stewardship, driving the creative economy as a force for social good.

Tali Weinberg is a distinguished interdisciplinary artist and weaver based in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Her artistic practice explores the interconnectedness of ecological and human health, earning her international recognition. Her work is housed in esteemed collections such as the Berkeley Art Museum and the Georgia Museum of Art and has been highlighted in prestigious publications including The New York Times and American Craft. Weinberg is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Illinois Artist Fellowship and the Tulsa Artist Fellowship, and has participated in residencies at the Museum of Art and Design in New York, among others. She holds an MFA from California College of the Arts and dual degrees from New York University.

Currently, Weinberg is showcasing her work in "Fragments and Layers," a collaborative exhibition with Erin Furimsky at Giertz Gallery in Champaign, Illinois, through March 31. Additionally, her work can be seen in "Water | Craft" at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, which explores the intersection of craft and climate concerns. She is collaborating with the Morton Arboretum on a workshop that translates tree species data into weavings, slated to open for registration in March. This summer, her new pieces on the emerald ash borer's impact will be part of "The Forest for the Trees" at Chautauqua Institution.

Reflecting on her recent achievements, Weinberg credits the Illinois Arts Council's Creative Accelerator Grant for enabling her to focus on local projects. "With IAC’s support, I’ve settled into a studio space, purchased essential tools, and started building relationships within the Illinois art community," she says. "I’m thrilled to present new work at Parkland College’s Giertz Gallery and to collaborate with Chicago’s Morton Arboretum. My lived experiences of Illinois’ environmental and health challenges have been at the heart of so much of my research over the last several years, and I’m happy to now have opportunities to share the resulting work here at home."