Latest news with #Potawatomi
Axios
18 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
Chicago's first Native American affordable housing complex breaks ground
Chicago has moved closer to the city's first affordable housing complex for Native Americans. Why it matters: Chicago's metro area has the third-largest urban Native American population in the United States, about 65,000, WBEZ reported last year. Driving the news: Mayor Brandon Johnson joined developers last week for a land blessing at Jigzibik, an apartment building in Irving Park that will have 45 affordable units for Native American residents. Jigzibik is a Potawatomi word for "at the river's edge." Zoom in: Each unit will have a balcony so residents can burn sage, Shelly Tucciarelli of Visionary Ventures, a Native American housing advocate, tells Axios, and they are working on getting native plants for a rooftop garden. Apartments range from studios to 3-bedrooms amenable to multi-generational households. Prices will be based on the low-income tax credit rate at the time when the building is completed next fall. Follow the money: The Department of Housing contributed more than $6 million to the project, Chicago Housing Commissioner Lissette Castañeda said.
Chicago Tribune
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
In quest for ‘Heroes & Villains,' the Dunn Museum's bat-signal again calls on artist Alex Ross
Alex Ross thinks humans will always be at the forefront of comic art. The iconic artist, who has spent decades creating lifelike images of both DC and Marvel characters, knows what drives the art form. And, sorry, it isn't the killer artificial intelligence robot Ultron. 'Now that you've got machines that can do everything for us it seems, we shouldn't want to give over everything creative to artificial life,' Ross told the Tribune. 'The comics art form is still holding fast with it being created by people. And real art … is still people making art. Who else is this for except human beings? So we've got to keep that going.' And Ross isn't stopping. The legendary artist and North Shore resident — who uses gouache paints to create lifelike depictions of Marvel and DC characters — is constantly creating. Three of his new works are included in a new exhibit, 'Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains,' which opened recently at the Bess Bower Dunn Museum. Ross' work has not only returned to the museum for the first time since 2019, it also inaugurated a 3,000-square-foot addition to the Libertyville museum. With 100 portraits spanning 25 years of Ross' career, the exhibit includes pieces that have never been displayed for the public, said Steve Furnett, exhibition and collections manager at the Dunn, and a self-described comics fan. 'They're all from a mural project that Alex did for the Marvel headquarters in New York,' Furnett said. 'He painted individual characters and they are all stitched together in a giant mural. We have those individual pieces that will stand on their own, and we also are creating a giant mural that's a 180-degree arc.' A key aspect of this show is the sheer size of some of the pieces. 'Our visitors can stand in front of it and can look superhero-ish with all the other superheroes that are in there — and the villains,' Furnett said. Ross noted that the exhibit includes murals with life-size reproductions of figures that were originally painted smaller. 'This is a humanized version of these legendary figures and you can stand right next to them, and stare at what feels like life-size depictions,' Ross said. 'And it's also great for people getting pictures of themselves with life-size figures.' Visitors might not expect the Dunn to be a place where they'd be snapping selfies. Nestled in an unassuming building in northern Libertyville, the Dunn was initially known as the Lake County Discovery Museum, and was established in 1976 in Wauconda. Now named for Bess Bower Dunn, one of the first women in motion pictures and one of Lake County's earliest genealogists, the museum focuses on the county's cultural heritage and has a permanent collection that ranges from dinosaurs to technological innovations, and many things in between. The collection showcases the ice age (with a cast of a mammoth tusk) and Potawatomi history, featuring intricate Native American beadwork. Other highlights include pictures of the first schoolhouse in Libertyville in 1837 and a photo of the Highland Park resident who narrowly missed securing the patent for the telephone. 'We want to bring people in and tell the story of how people came to Lake County and what they did in Lake County and we want it to be a complete picture with all different perspectives and stories,' said Director of Education Alyssa Firkus. But Firkus emphasized that the museum also reaches beyond Lake Cook Road for some of its exhibits. The Dunn also is currently hosting 'National Geographic: The Greatest Wildlife Photographs,' which runs through Sept. 21. The inclusion of villains in Ross' current exhibit may attract a broader audience. Furnett said there weren't any villains originally in the DC portion of the show. 'Alex was kind enough to create (them), and we have them here for the first time,' he said. Ross created new portraits of Joker and Harley Quinn, and also Superman. He's quick to point out that Superman is a re-creation of his own artwork. 'I've done the painstaking thing of re-creating a painting of mine based upon looking at a copy and then re-creating it so it can be in the show and be a physical, real painting as opposed to a reproduction,' Ross said. 'I was learning how art forgery works. I was forging myself.' When he's not creating or re-creating, Ross thinks deeply about the relationship between how comics characters are being adapted into film and television, and his own work as a visual artist. 'The way I draw Thor would be more of what he's looked like historically (before the Marvel Cinematic Universe),' Ross said. 'That's where I'm trying to reflect back an influence from the outside world, which still is 'comics born.'' Ross' 2019 exhibit at the Dunn, 'Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross,' reached record audiences for the museum. Furnett remembers the anticipation. 'I got here a couple hours before opening and was sending everyone pictures of the giant line around the museum,' he said. 'Seeing the place filled with a lot of new faces and a lot of visitors in cosplay waiting to get in the Dunn Museum was pretty cool.' Alex Ross, the legendary illustrator for Marvel and DC comics, has a new 'Fantastic Four' book out just as the Marvel universe takes a next big step. Coincidence?Firkus said the 2019 exhibit was the highest grossing one for the Dunn. Ross appreciates the venue. 'It's incredibly charming and a really great place for, frankly, representing the work and showcasing it,' he said. He also hopes visitors appreciate the versions of the characters he continues to depict. 'I always want them to be impressed with the level of effort I'm putting in,' he said. 'A lot of that is affected by casting in Hollywood, and I'm always trying to regard what the characters look like from the source material.' Let's see Ultron try to top that.
Associated Press
18-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Potawatomi Federal Solutions and UltiSim Inc. create new joint venture to bring powerful AI Digital Twin Capability to US Department of Defense
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 18, 2025-- TSIS 2025 -- UltiSim, a trailblazer in AI-driven, low-cost Digital Twin Technologies, is partnering with the Potawatomi Business Development Corp Federal Group (PBDC) to speed the delivery of mission-critical digital twin capabilities for US Department of Defense aircraft, naval vessels, vehicles, and systems. Cutting-Edge Technology and a Proven Track Record UltiSim is a recognized industry leader in creating immersive, interactive environments for training, education, and research. Their work with digital twins began well before the term was coined by NASA in 2010 — the UltiSim team had already been building data-driven digital twin systems for training and operations for nearly a decade. Potawatomi Federal President Greg Kolean stated, 'Across our extensive portfolio of contracts supporting defense and government, we see a rapidly growing need for digital twin capability, coupled with a desire for affordable delivery and a sustainable and extensible software architecture. Our research showed UltiSim as the best candidate to meet all these requirements for our customers.' Kolean's interest was piqued by UltiSim's 688 attack submarine digital twin, noting, 'We were intrigued by the speed and lightweight delivery method of this comprehensive engineering solution, and its operational implications for the Navy.' AI-driven affordability UltiSim's CEO and Founder, Richard Boyd, stated, 'The combination of AI, simulation, and digital twin technologies is making systems engineering, training, and complex computational modeling more accessible and affordable than ever before.' Boyd further explained that UltiSim began this journey by designing the Pentagon's virtual world framework, and is now using AI and other analytical tools to create accessible and affordable systems engineering digital twins for the military. The direct contract access, in partnership with Potawatomi, will greatly benefit both warfighters and taxpayers seeking greater efficiency in government spending on advanced technologies. This unique partnership will deliver advanced, cutting-edge technology solutions that are also affordable, transforming how enterprises approach system modeling, predictive analytics, and strategic decision-making through intelligent, cost-effective digital representations. About UltiSim The Digital Twin Command Center platform is proudly created by UltiSim, a company powered by a unique combination of leading-edge gaming technology, simulation learning and artificial intelligence expertise. Based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, UltiSim was founded by pioneers in computer gaming, building fully immersive 3D simulation experiences that educate, entertain and solve real-world problems. UltiSim includes architects of the Virtual World Framework for the Pentagon, a key differentiator in lower cost and increasing accessibility for 3D Digital Twin capabilities. Follow UltiSim at LinkedIn and UltiSimTeam on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Learn more at Editorial Contact: [email protected] About Potawatomi Business Development Corp Federal Group The Potawatomi Business Development Corporation (PBDC) was established in 2002 as the economic development and income diversification business of the Forest County Potawatomi Community (FCPC). Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, their subsidiary companies and investments provide financial diversification for their shareholders and investment partners. They grow with a clear focus on profitability and sustainable economic development. Learn more at or contact us at Editorial Contact: [email protected] View source version on CONTACT: UltiSim: [email protected] Business Development Corp Federal Group [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA FLORIDA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER DEFENSE CONTRACTS DATA MANAGEMENT GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY FOOD TECH PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OTHER ENTERTAINMENT DEFENSE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE METAVERSE ELECTRONIC GAMES SOFTWARE ENTERTAINMENT DATA ANALYTICS INTERNET SOURCE: UltiSim Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/18/2025 05:57 PM/DISC: 06/18/2025 05:56 PM
Business Wire
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Potawatomi Federal Solutions and UltiSim Inc. create new joint venture to bring powerful AI Digital Twin Capability to US Department of Defense
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TSIS 2025 -- UltiSim, a trailblazer in AI-driven, low-cost Digital Twin Technologies, is partnering with the Potawatomi Business Development Corp Federal Group (PBDC) to speed the delivery of mission-critical digital twin capabilities for US Department of Defense aircraft, naval vessels, vehicles, and systems. Cutting-Edge Technology and a Proven Track Record UltiSim is a recognized industry leader in creating immersive, interactive environments for training, education, and research. Their work with digital twins began well before the term was coined by NASA in 2010 — the UltiSim team had already been building data-driven digital twin systems for training and operations for nearly a decade. Potawatomi Federal President Greg Kolean stated, 'Across our extensive portfolio of contracts supporting defense and government, we see a rapidly growing need for digital twin capability, coupled with a desire for affordable delivery and a sustainable and extensible software architecture. Our research showed UltiSim as the best candidate to meet all these requirements for our customers.' Kolean's interest was piqued by UltiSim's 688 attack submarine digital twin, noting, 'We were intrigued by the speed and lightweight delivery method of this comprehensive engineering solution, and its operational implications for the Navy.' AI-driven affordability UltiSim's CEO and Founder, Richard Boyd, stated, "The combination of AI, simulation, and digital twin technologies is making systems engineering, training, and complex computational modeling more accessible and affordable than ever before." Boyd further explained that UltiSim began this journey by designing the Pentagon's virtual world framework, and is now using AI and other analytical tools to create accessible and affordable systems engineering digital twins for the military. The direct contract access, in partnership with Potawatomi, will greatly benefit both warfighters and taxpayers seeking greater efficiency in government spending on advanced technologies. This unique partnership will deliver advanced, cutting-edge technology solutions that are also affordable, transforming how enterprises approach system modeling, predictive analytics, and strategic decision-making through intelligent, cost-effective digital representations. About UltiSim The Digital Twin Command Center platform is proudly created by UltiSim, a company powered by a unique combination of leading-edge gaming technology, simulation learning and artificial intelligence expertise. Based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, UltiSim was founded by pioneers in computer gaming, building fully immersive 3D simulation experiences that educate, entertain and solve real-world problems. UltiSim includes architects of the Virtual World Framework for the Pentagon, a key differentiator in lower cost and increasing accessibility for 3D Digital Twin capabilities. Follow UltiSim at LinkedIn and UltiSimTeam on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Learn more at The Potawatomi Business Development Corporation (PBDC) was established in 2002 as the economic development and income diversification business of the Forest County Potawatomi Community (FCPC). Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, their subsidiary companies and investments provide financial diversification for their shareholders and investment partners. They grow with a clear focus on profitability and sustainable economic development.
Chicago Tribune
18-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Skokie unveils art glass mosaic of its updated village seal
Skokie artist Joe Folise said it's hard to believe it has been 45 years since his stained glass art piece of the village of Skokie's former seal was installed in the Board of Trustees Chamber. He spoke at the unveiling of his mosaic of the new, updated seal on June 16. The new seal was presented to the public at the Board of Trustees meeting, unveiled by the village's keeper of the seal, Village Clerk Minal Desai, and Mayor Ann Tennes. 'It feels especially meaningful to mark this next chapter with all of you,' Folise said, moments before a curtain was pulled to show his new mosaic, made of Italian glass. 'We are honoring the leadership that has shaped this community and celebrating the vision that carries it forward.' Earlier in March, the Village Board approved the village's new 'Skokie Spirit' seal, depicting cattails and the word 'Wabskoki,' the Potawatomi word for marsh, from which Skokie inherits its name. Folise said the Venice, Italy foundry from which the mosaic material was sourced has been in operation since 1888, the same year as Skokie's incorporation. The village was known then as Niles Center. 'That connection made the choice of material feel especially fitting,' Folise said. Folise also created the 'Skokie Spirit' stained glass artwork on Village Hall facing Oakton Street, and has contributed to various 'Welcome to Skokie' signs and artwork at the North Shore Channel Park. 'Joe was an esteemed member of the village's Public Works and Engineering division for many, many years, and he is our artist,' Tennes said. The next step in permanently removing the village's former seal, which some have said is insensitive, is a redesign of the village's flag, which has the village's former seal on it. Currently, the village is accepting designs for a new flag until September through its online portal and in person at Village Hall at 5127 Oakton St., Skokie.
