NOW IS THE TIME! program- February 13th at 7pm: How to and skills building – Organizing a Protest: Action logic, logistics and other considerations, and an overview of roles for a protest, including safety marshals with Julie Sampson of the Illinois Federation of Teachers and Denise Poloyac of Indivisible Chicago
Reception 2-13-26 from 6pm-9pm
URI-EICHEN Gallery 2101 S Halsted Chicago IL 60608

Julie Sampson is the State Affiliate Political Organizer at the IL Federation of Teachers and volunteer with Indivisible Chicago. Prior to joining the labor movement, she was the Executive Director of Citizen Action/Illinois, a statewide multi-issue coalition of labor and community. Outside of organizing, you’ll find her knitting or enjoying outdoor sports.
Denise Poloyac is a longtime activist and one of the leaders of Indivisible Chicago where she focuses on nonviolent protest and organizing impactful actions. Previously she organized in the labor movement with SEIU (Service Employees International Union). There hasn’t been much time in the past year, but she is also an avid photographer documenting our communities and our fight for justice.
Show on Display: Trump’s War on Civil Society: The Attack on the Civil Service
Photographs and posters from Jean Engelkeimer, Allan Koss, Stephen Marc, Aimee Potter, Daniel Rangel, Colin Smalley and Elsa Weber- Protests against the attack
Show by appointment from January 9, 2026, through February 28, 2026 outside of receptions. For an appointment call or text 312 852 7717 or email gabbyfish@hotmail.com.

About the Photographers and Poster Makers:

Jean Engelkeimer, a Chicago native, is a retired physician who creates poster art as a means of resistance to the rising tide of oppression

Allan Koss has been a freelance social documentary photographer in Chicago for over 60 years

Stephen Marc is a once again a Chicago resident, and Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University, is a documentary/street photographer and digital montage artist whose work explores American identity and sense of place. He is a South Sider who taught at ASU for 26 years, following 20 years at Columbia College Chicago, published five books of his photographic work, and is a Guggenheim Fellow.

Daniel Rangel is a native of Chicago, and his photography has appeared in online publications such as, The Chicago Tribune, various travel brochures, online fashion publications, and as part of a published coffee table book. His work often carries a sense of whimsy and observation, while his protest images reflect more intense and urgent moments.

Aimee Potter is a VA social worker and AFGE local steward. She has spoken out locally and nationally because of the harm caused by the Trump administration cuts to veterans’ care and the federal workforce. Coalition building with labor groups, unions, May Day Strong, and About Face Veterans has been key to the fight against the administration. She has been a social worker for more than 20 years.

Colin Smalley President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 777. He serves as a Director of the IFPTE National Council of Army Corp of Engineers Locals and as a Delegate to the Chicago Federation of Labor.

Elsa K. Weber is a retired associate professor of Early Childhood Development at Purdue University Northwest. Again becoming socially active after retirement, she is particularly involved with Mexican women in Pilsen, struggling against the gentrification that is pushing long term Mexican residents out of the area. Recently at local marches, her primary focus has been documenting unique hand-made signs that would likely not survive beyond the day of a march.

Official Website

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Tags: Aimee Potter, Allan Koss, Chicago, Colin Smalley, Daniel Rangel, Denise Poloyac, Elsa K. Weber, Jean Engelkeimer, Julie Sampson, Lower West Side, NOW IS THE TIME!, Stephen Marc, Uri-Eichen Gallery