Logan Square Arts Foundation is a non-profit organization that creates inclusive, community-rooted arts experiences that foster learning, creative growth, and meaningful connection.

Logan Square Arts Foundation fulfills its mission through the following activities:

  • SPARK Series: A lineup of free pop-up concerts in neighborhood parks beginning in July at Kosciuszko Park. The series, which was born out of the pandemic, is designed to bring neighbors together through live music in familiar, accessible spaces, offering a chance to reconnect and enjoy the arts in the heart of the community.

  • Friends of Schools Initiative: A collaborative effort to raise arts and music education funds through family-friendly events, student performances, and community-driven fundraising campaigns. This initiative brings local schools and families together to ensure that all students can access creative opportunities that enrich their education and celebrate the arts within the community.

  • Artist Residencies and Commissions: New funding and support for neighborhood-based artists to produce public art, cultural programming, and creative experiences that reflect the identity, history, and diversity of Logan Square.

Board of Directors

  • Heather Egland

    Heather Egland has been the volunteer coordinator for the Logan Square Arts Festival since 2015. With over 20 years of experience in information management, she has been the organization’s primary point of contact for volunteer staffing and currently functions as its treasurer. Heather is a scientist, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and also enjoys reading, video games, and collecting jars in her spare time.

  • Esam Hani

    Esam Hani is native of Logan Square. Esam was raised here and has been involved in the growth and development of the neighborhood. He currently owns and operates Café Con Leche, The Harding Tavern, Red Star Liquors, The Walk In, Saba Italian Resturant, Mr. E’s, and the new La Victoria Mexican Restaurant. Café Con Leche is a Logan Square staple, supporting the community and serving Latin comfort food since 2001.

  • Billy Helmkamp

    Billy Helmkamp is the co-founder of The Whistler and Sleeping Village, and has advocated for the arts as Chairman of the Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL) and Illinois Precinct Captain for the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA). He has worked on the Logan Square Arts Festival since its inception, serving in a variety of roles including Programming Director, Treasurer, and Co-Chair.

  • Samuel J. Lewis, II

    Sam Lewis is an interdisciplinary artist and curator who works in the NFP sector. He is an actor, singer, and puppeteer. In 1998 he co-founded the Elastic Arts Foundation, where he is the co-creator of the Dark Matter Series and Residency Program. He also serves as Elastic’s Director of Outreach. Sam is also the Director of Engagement and Artist Programs with the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, and works with Rough House Theater.

    Sam sits on the boards of Homeroom Chicago, High Concept Labs, and I AM Logan Square, which produces the annual Logan Square Arts Festival, of which he was co-founder.

  • Charlie Ockerlund

    Charlie Ockerlund is an community arts advocate and. a historic preservation activist with roots in the Logan Square and Chicago DIY arts community. Charlie began volunteering at the Logan Square Arts Fest in 2016, increasing his contributions year after year, before joining the board of I AM Logan Square in 2024. As a self taught musician (by ear) since early childhood, Charlie has professionally supported the arts whether it be fundraising, managing, or creating. Charlie loves Logan Square and has a deep appreciation for its creative flair and innovative thinking. In addition, Charlie champions the neighborhood by serving on the board of Logan Square Preservation.

  • Geary Yonker

    For the past 25 years, Geary Yonker has been a dedicated advocate for independent journalism, as an executive at The Chicago Reader, WBEZ Chicago, and WTTW-WFMT. He is the longest-serving volunteer of the Logan Square Arts Festival, having joined in its inaugural year as a stage manager. In 2010, he was invited to join the board of I AM Logan Square, and he has served as board president since 2012. Geary believes in the power of community and collaboration, serving on the boards of other neighborhood organizations, including the Kosciuszko Park Advisory Council, which helped secure $2 million dollars in improvements for Logan Square’s largest park.