Here are the Slated Candidates for the Old Town Triangle Board for 2025.
On October 31, 2024, the Nominating Committee Chair submitted to the OTTA Secretary the list of candidates the Committee slated for the 2025 Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee is an ad hoc group comprising 3-5 members, including at least one current Board Member, selected annually by the Board in September. The Committee’s primary task is to recommend a slate of candidates for open Officer and Director positions from among members who express interest in serving in a Board capacity.
Once the slate of candidates has been picked by the Committee, the slate is presented to and approved by the OTTA Membership in an open vote that takes place on January 23, 2025, at the OTTA’s Annual Dinner & Meeting. Members interested in opposing the slate and running for a Board position can do so by following the process set forth in the By-Laws. Details on that process are described below.
This year, the Committee had the pleasure of reviewing applications and conducting interviews with many candidates. After thorough and thoughtful deliberation, the Committee unanimously endorsed a slate that, alongside the continuing Board members, is best positioned to:
We extend our gratitude to all the applicants for their interest in serving in a Board role.
Brief bios for each candidate are included below. Here is the nominated slate:
President: Ray Clark*
Vice-President: Matt Langer
Secretary: Harrison (Sony) Oliff
Treasurer: Drew Roesch*
Director: Ben Wolfe
Director: Kim Thorstenson
*Indicates served on 2024 OTTA Board
Returning Directors:
Beth Burke
Elaine Frei
Lotika Pai
Aneta Tomaszkiewicz
Ray Clark, President
Ray looks forward to continuing the work he began as OTTA President, leading the implementation of the new strategic priorities. Ray is an architect and structural engineer with extensive experience leading teams, organizations, and projects. Demonstrating a strong commitment to service and community building since moving to the area, he has volunteered for a wide variety of OTTA events and activities and has participated in or chaired various committees. Most recently, as chair of the Capital Improvements Committee, he is overseeing the Triangle building renovation project, aiming to enhance the building’s functionality and usability. As a member of the Neighborhood Improvement Committee, he is leading a study aimed at improving community accessibility. Ray is committed to guiding the Board in alignment with the new OTTA strategic priorities, valuing the volunteer base, and supporting OTTA’s mission.
Matt Langer, Vice President
Matt brings a diverse range of experiences from his professional and volunteer roles to the role of vice president. He has contributed to various community organizations and has a background in public administration and urban public policy and holds a law degree. His career spans teaching, state government, and healthcare. His dedication to public service and passion for strategic development position him well to support OTTA’s mission. Since moving to Old Town with his family in 2021, Matt has enjoyed volunteering at the Old Town Art Fair. He is eager to use his expertise to collaborate and advance the organization’s priorities.
Harrison (Sony) Oliff, Secretary
Sony brings rich experience to the role of Secretary. As a Human Capital Consultant, Sony drives projects focused on the adoption of transformational change, leveraging his expertise in organizational development, strategic planning, and community engagement. He recently contributed to OTTA strategic planning work and has volunteered at the Old Town Art Fair. Sony serves as a Volunteer Coordinator for Maot Chitim of Greater Chicago, organizing volunteers to deliver food to those in need for Jewish holidays. He is passionate about community building and increasing engagement by offering events that attract a wide range of community members. Sony aims to strengthen OTTA’s connections within the community, particularly with renters and early career residents, ensuring they feel integrated and invested.
Drew Roesch, Treasurer
Drew is eager to continue his work as Treasurer for OTTA. Since he began this role in early 2024, he has focused on executing a detailed re-evaluation of all revenue and expense line items, working toward a balanced budget. He has collaborated with other Board members and committees to identify new and creative opportunities to strengthen the organization’s financial standing. Drew’s goal is to create a more sustainable financial future for OTTA and to better leverage the Triangle building for community engagement. He brings to the Treasurer role significant experience as a financial consultant specializing in revenue and expense management, with a focus in the government sector. Drew has previously volunteered as a member of a planning team supporting student service trips. Drew and his family enjoy the many events and activities offered by OTTA.
Kim Thorstenson, Director
A long-time community member, Kim brings a wealth of skills and experiences to the director role. Most recently, as a member of the Events Committee, she helped execute numerous events, including leading two new initiatives in partnership with local organizations: a movie night and a concert in the park. She contributed to Earth Day as an artist supporting the Little Libraries project. Kim is driven by her passion for building community connections and expanding the organization’s reach to all residents, especially among Triangle renters. With a fine arts degree and expertise as a graphic illustrator, she values creativity and engagement as tools for fostering community spirit.
Ben looks forward to supporting the Board officers in implementing the organization’s strategic priorities in the role of director. He is dedicated to community safety and preserving the neighborhood’s charm and character. Ben’s volunteer contributions include serving as a long-term docent for the Chicago Architecture Center and advising its Board on digital transformation. He works in nonprofit healthcare, leading strategic technology and organizational change initiatives. He brings a focus on collaboration and expertise in leading change. Tim and his family enjoy participating in OTTA events and appreciate the organization’s role in enhancing neighborhood life.
Holiday Pop-Up Sale of Fine Art and Craft
Sunday, November 10, 11 am to 5 pm
Leslie Wolfe Gallery at the Old Town Art Center, 1763 N. North Park Ave. in Chicago
For the second year, retired gallery owner Peter Vale has curated an invitational pop-up art show featuring Chicago area artists who were represented by Vale Craft Gallery during its 30 year run. Start your holiday shopping early with a selection of handmade ceramics, glass, metalwork, jewelry, sculpture, painting and printmaking. Each artist will be present to sell their own work, with a portion of each sale benefiting the Old Town Art Center. Admission is free and open to the public.
The following artists will exhibit their work:
Cynthia Mayer — ceramics
Sher Berman — jewelry
Corkie Neuhaus — ceramics / sculpture
Sherie Presta — jewelry
Ellen Neely — ceramics / sculpture
James Wilbat — glass
Linny Coale Freeman — painting / printmaking
Peter Vale — ceramics
Susan Wein — painting / printmaking
Linda Bernasconi — jewelry
Barbara Mousigian — ceramics / sculpture
Suzanne Shafer-Wilson — metal
Thanks to State of Illinois Grants from our local State Legislators, Senator Sara Feigenholtz and Representative Margaret Croke, renovations to the Old Town Triangle Center are finally able to take shape. The Old Town Triangle Association has budgeted reserve funds to add to the grants already approved. But it is an old building and everyone knows that there are always unexpected situations that arise.
This effort began by removing all of the flooring, due to a layer of mastic adhering a lower layer of tiles. The building is now sporting its concrete subfloor and all activities in the south room are halted for the foreseeable future. That was our first surprise and more are expected.
We hope that you will consider making a donation to the Capital Campaign if you are planning to make charitable donations before year end. There are many levels and options available. Please send an email to info@oldtowntriangle.com to schedule a time to discuss how we might work together. Any and all funding levels will be appreciated.
Click here to view drawings and get a better idea of where you might make the most impact.
NIGHT SHIFT
“Night Shift” is a series of imaginary paintings exploring psychological states, more than actual physical places. Although the paintings suggest actual places, the artist has freely altered the architecture and mixed scenes of various cities. The work suggests emotional places, and only vaguely references geographical ones. The title implies a shift from the visual world revealed in daylight to the more hidden interior world obscured in the darkness of night.
Ken Minami is a Chicago painter educated in the tradition of the 19th-Century Boston School. He continues to paint still life and figurative works from life with the intention of faithfully rendering the visual world as it presents itself. These nighttime urban paintings are a departure from that practice. It’s a shift into attempting to paint a scene that only exists in his imagination. His Instagram is @minami6275.
Opening Reception: Friday, October 25 | 6 to 8 PM
Lincoln Park Art Night: Thursday, November 14 | 5:30 to 8:30 PM
Exhibition: October 22 to December 14
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday – Friday 10 to 5 PM
Saturday 10 to 1 PM
It’s that time of year!
Join us for the best evening of the season! Neighbors and friends! Music by the world famous, Keith Stras & Polka Confetti! Brats, Pretzels, sauerkraut and more from neighborhood fave, Glunz Tavern. Kids games. Adult games. Dancing. Seasonal beer. And so much more!
Members – make sure you are logged in to receive your membership discount!
“I like to travel, and I take numerous photographs, almost always thinking they might become part of a painting. Favorite subjects: mountains and rushing water, waves, city life, panoramas, and vistas; sometimes people. Favorites are the American West and especially Colorado.”
John is an engineer by training and a college professor in business by trade. All of his paintings are pastels, and he devotes a lot of time to thinking about and planning each painting, though he frequently tweaks the painting and deviates from the plan. Working evenings and weekends, each painting takes 3-6 weeks to complete. John is largely self-taught and became interested in art before grammar school. He considers each painting to be a new learning experience and somewhat of an experiment.
Opening Reception: Sunday, September 8 | 2 to 4 PM
Exhibition: September 7 to October 3
Old Town Triangle Building Catalog 2024
Old Town Triangle District with Building Catalog Addendum 2024
Noncontributing Buildings
Phantasma is an exhibition of hypnagogic paintings by Bruce Riley. The paintings range in date from a couple of years before the Coronavirus to the present. Riley’s luminous visions blur the line between abstraction and figuration. Working without preconception, his paintings are developed as much as painted. With no sketches to guide him, Riley works on multiple paintings that help to define each other as they grow. Bruce would like to thank the city of Chicago for his 2023 Individual Artists DCASE grant.
Opening Reception: Friday, August 16 | 6 to 8 PM
Gallery Talk: Saturday, August 31 | 12 to 1 PM
Exhibition: August 9 to September 5
The gallery is open:
Tuesday – Friday 10 – 5 PM
Saturday 10 – 1 PM
1763 North Park Ave. Chicago, IL 60614
Joseph Taylor is an oil painter, printmaker, and freelance illustrator. He has had a studio in Evanston, Illinois for over 25 years. An award-winning painter and printmaker, he studied art at Indiana University and the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and specializes in large scale oil paintings. Joe teaches painting at The Old Town Triangle Assoc…and he bakes a mean cherry pie.
Reception: Sunday June 30 | 2 – 4 PM
Exhibition: June 4 to July 9, 2024
Joe Taylor will be teaching summer classes at OTTA! For more info, click here.
Oil & Acrylic Painting with Joe Taylor
Tuesdays | June 18 – August 20 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 10 Weeks
Wednesdays | June 19 – August 20 | 6:30 – 9:30 PM | 10 Weeks