August 9: Foraging @ Ping Tom Park
Billie Warren, an Environmental Consultant and Educator, is an enrolled citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, who passionately reshapes environmental perspectives. A Biology graduate from Indiana University Northwest, Billie seamlessly blends her expertise, certified as a monarch expert and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader. Her specialization in Indigenous food sovereignty and plant medicine around the Great Lakes Region sets her apart. Functioning as a bridge between Western Science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Billie’s workshops harmonize mainstream environmental science with Indigenous perspectives, resonating across schools, universities, museums, parks, and BIPOC panels. In 2019, she founded Jibek Mbwakawen, Inc., a non-profit fostering sustainable relationships with ecosystems through Indigenous-focused environmental education. Billie’s leadership inspires positive change, contributing significantly to the collective effort to safeguard the environment from the looming climate crisis. Her journey exemplifies the transformative impact of education and cultural understanding, leaving a mark on the quest for environmental harmony.
August 23: Qi Gong @ Water Esplanade Park
Jennifer O’Hara, an Asian Body Therapist (ABT) and Certified Practitioner of the American Organization of Body Therapies of Asia (AOBTA cp), has been practicing Acupressure Therapy for over 20 years. She has been teaching Eight Pieces of Silk Qigong for over 20 years and Japanese Meridian Qigong for 15 years. She has been a meditator for over 45 years. Through her own healing journey and educational path her passion has been to explore the body mind spirit connection. In studying the wisdom of Eastern healing modalities, the Meridian System, Five Elements and Qi movements she has noticed that what brings the most joy, the most balance to her clients and students is Qi movements. With that understanding she is inspired to teach the Qi movements, the breath of Meridian Touch and the art of letting go. Adding the wisdom of the Five Elements brings a deeper appreciation of patterns and gifts that we have. Embracing Qi brings a dynamic, somatic depth that empowers clients with their own sense of confidence and well being. In her scope as an acupressure therapist Jennifer weaves together Acupressure, Five Element Theory, the somatic dialoguing techniques of Internal Family Systems Therapy and the Hakomi Method, mindfulness meditation and Qi exercises. This marriage of Eastern and Western healing practices supports not only health, but also deepens the journey to personal sanity and authenticity. Jennifer is grateful to see people let go of levels of tension and settle into their unique expression of joy. http://www.mindbodyqitherapy.com/bio.html
September 6: Water Reclamation @ Ronan Park
JeeYeun Lee is an interdisciplinary artist based in Chicago. Through performance, objects, and socially engaged art, her work explores dynamics of connection, power, violence and resistance. Her work has been shown in Chicago, Detroit, Santa Fe, Ohio, Missouri, and France. She has worked with social justice and community-based organizations for over thirty years in immigrant rights, economic justice, LGBTQ issues, and domestic violence. She holds an M.F.A. in Fiber from Cranbrook Academy of Art, M.A. in Ethnic Studies from the University of California at Berkeley, and B.A. in Linguistics from Stanford University. https://www.jeeyeunlee.com
All Sessions:
Described as “moving everyday sculptures, artfully cast in naturalness” (Luzerner Zeitung, Switzerland, Ayako Kato, 2023 United States Artist Fellow, is a kinetic philosopher/poet and award-winning dancer/choreographer, originally from Yokohama, Japan. Since 1998, Ayako Kato/Art Union Humanscape has been pursuing contemporary experimental dance/choreography/improvisation in deep collaboration with over 90 musicians and composers, presenting in Europe, Asia, and the US. Advocating the principles of fūryū, Japanese for “wind flow,” cyclical transformation and human motion in nature, Ayako creates solo, ensemble pieces, and movement installations for traditional stages and large scale site-specific locations in nature. In March 2025, Ayako presented ETHOS: Ways of the Wind (work in progress) at the foot of Tava-kaavi, Sun Mountain in Ute, in collaboration with composer Yvonne Wu and Native American Student Alliance at the University fo Colorado - Colorado Springs supported by the Heller Center for Arts and Humanities. Ayako has been offering Art of Being movement/dance workshop since summer 2023 and published her artist book Art of Being through Emptiness in December 2024 from the Casino Luxembourg Forum d'art contemporain.
Art of Being: Move with Waterways is presented as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series, supported by the Mayor’s Office and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The Night Out in the Parks program presents cultural events year-round in neighborhood parks throughout the city. The Chicago Park District in partnership with local artists and organizations, presents engaging events and performances that enhance quality of life across Chicago and amplify the artistic and cultural vibrancy in every neighborhood. Through multiple disciplines, which include theater, music, movies, dance, site-specific work, nature programs, and community festivals, the series aims to support Chicago-based artists, facilitate community-based partnerships and programs, cultivate civic engagement, and ensure equity in access to the arts for all Chicagoans. For more information, please visit www.nightoutintheparks.com.
