Voices Visible: A Pop-Up Exhibition of Equity & Expression
Part of Explorations of Equity in the Arts in Elgin, supported by Healing Illinois

The exhibition runs Friday, April 18 through Sunday, April 27
Gallery Hours: Fridays 3-7pm, Saturdays 12-6pm, Sundays 11am-3pm

Join us for Voices Visible, a special pop-up exhibition celebrating the work of five extraordinary artists whose creative practices amplify identity, heritage, and equity in the arts. This event is part of Explorations of Equity in the Arts in Elgin, a Side Street Studio Arts initiative supported by Healing Illinois, and is free and open to the public.

Featured Artists:

-Maritza Garcia (Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians)
A Chicago-based artist, dancer, and cultural educator creating beadwork, ribbon skirts, powwow regalia, and more. She travels the Midwest sharing Native art and tradition through both movement and craft.
@chachabeads_

-Samantha Thompson (Citizen Band Potawatomi Nation)
A photographer and beadworker capturing the beauty of the natural world and the vibrancy of powwow dance. Her work documents Native identity and community in motion.

-Ada Vega – Corrupt Kids Inc.
A South Elgin printmaker and clothing designer making bold, hand-printed apparel rooted in punk culture and community accessibility. His brand merges activism and street style with artistic storytelling.

-Nicki Fortunati-Warren
A multidisciplinary artist inspired by nostalgia, fantasy, and memory. Nicki works in painting, comics, bookbinding, and illustration—blending European art influences with handmade storytelling.

-Andrés Emmanuel Dominguez Fernandez-Villagomez
A Chicano ceramicist and sculptor honoring family traditions and community narratives. His work integrates Mexican folk pottery, graffiti, and found materials to challenge stereotypes and elevate truth through art.

Voices Visible uplifts historically marginalized voices through visual storytelling and creative exchange. This show is a reflection of what equity in the arts can look like—personal, powerful, and deeply rooted in identity.

Come experience this vibrant, pop-up showcase and meet the artists helping to shape a more inclusive creative future in Elgin and beyond.