Heide Morris: Community Champion of the Arts

West Chicago, Illinois: October 16, 2015 - Successful cities have volunteer champions in many aspects of community life. One such champion, Heide Morris, has been elevating the reputation of the arts in West Chicago, and is being recognized for her efforts through a Proclamation by Mayor Ruben Pineda on Monday, October 19, 2015.

"This recognition underscores the passion, hard work, and dedication Heide has shown through her involvement and contributions on the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission, Gallery 200, and numerous public art projects", said Mayor Pineda. "It gives me great pleasure to bestow this honor on someone so deserving," he said.

Morris, a retired West Chicago School District 33 art teacher and a proficient paint and fiber artist, has nurtured the arts and humanities in West Chicago through her professional career and continues to do so now as a volunteer. She has spear-headed numerous programs and projects that enrich the cultural lives of all who live, work, play and visit West Chicago.

As a result of her active participation and advocacy on the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission, public art projects like the Community Banner Art Project, and community art-sharing events like the Fine Arts Fiesta and artéculture, empower young artists in the community to contribute to the landscape, draw public attention to West Chicago as a destination for the arts, and enhance the appearance of the city. Morris also fundraises, organizes and facilitates an annual arts scholarship for deserving art-bound graduates of Community High School District 94.

The Proclamation is timed to coincide with Illinois Arts and Humanities Month which celebrates the role that the arts and humanities play in enhancing every aspect of life in a community - improving the economy, enriching civic life, driving tourism, and exerting a profound positive influence on the education of its children.