Gary, Indiana, the industrial town located just over 30 miles from downtown Chicago, was built around the once-booming steel industry in northwest Indiana. At its peak in 1960, the northwest Indiana town was home to over 170,000 people.
Fast forward to 2016, and the steel industry has long left and taken over half the population, and much of the prosperity, along with it. Gary's population had dropped to about 77,000 last year according to Census estimates, and approximately 38.7 percent of residents are in poverty.
However, the city of Gary and Chicago artist Theaster Gates, believe Gary could thrive once again--this time, through arts, food and business innovation.
This weekend ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen, a new arts and innovation space, launched in downtown Gary. It's an arts and culinary incubator, with an art gallery and pop-up cafe, that will also host business workshops to support local entrepreneurs.
Art has the ability to create a place where great things can happen
The ArtHouse Culinary Business Incubator (CBI) will offer culinary workshops and training, mentorship opportunities, business growth services for early and mid-level food businesses starting in January 2017. There's also a "social kitchen" where local food entrepreneurs can reserve time in ArtHouse's facilities (including a 2,200 sq. ft., commercial grade kitchen, food demonstration station), and there will be monthly "Culinary Exploration" events covering business, training, and arts and culture.
The project was conceived, designed, and led by Gary's Economic Development Corporation and Department of Commerce, as well as artistic director Gates (who's also the director of Arts + Public Life and PlaceLab at the University of Chicago). The initial art installation, an exterior lighting sculpture powered by solar energy, was designed by the artist duo Ripple + Wilson. ArtHouse was one of four projects funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of its Public Arts Challenge, and also received funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation's 2015 Knight Cities Challenge.
"The creation of ArtHouse is a testament to the spirit of Gary, Indiana -- and it shows how arts and culture help invigorate neighborhoods and strengthen local economies," said Michael R. Bloomberg in a statement.
The goal is to create a cultural hub in downtown Gary, and promote urban revitalization.
"We are excited about the opening of Gary's ArtHouse, and about the resurgence public art can bring downtown," said Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson in remarks at the event. "This project represents a new perspective as we imagine the future of our city."
"Art has the ability to create a place where great things can happen, and great things are happening here," added Gates. "None of it would have been possible without the people, businesses, artists, chefs and city working together."
Gates is long been on a mission to revitalize neighborhoods and create new cultural hubs, and has made headway in Chicago: His nonprofit Rebuild Foundation is behind Stony Island Arts Bank, a gallery, library and media archives in Grand Crossing, and Dorchester Industries, a workforce development program focused on building trades and creative industries, among other projects.
He's not the only Chicago innovator who sees opportunity and potential in Gary--Pilsen-based tech hub BLUE1647 recently expanded to Gary, with a goal to add a coworking space and skills training in the future.
Here's a look at the launch of ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen.
ArtHouse Gary (Photo Credit: Andrea Bauer)
