Gary, IN

ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen

Artistic Director: Theaster Gates

Connecting Food and Art to Develop a Cultural District

The City of Gary transformed an underutilized downtown building into a cultural hub that showcases visual and culinary arts. ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen, which opened in November 2016, is a partnership between artist Theaster Gates and the City to create a civic center that features commissioned works of visual art, offers culinary training and business development workshops, and provides cultural programming that uses food as a medium for community engagement. The City plans to use this public space as a catalyst to develop a cultural district and promote urban revitalization.

“I believe that public art – combined with design, community engagement, and private and government investment – can transform the way we imagine a city.  This perspective is especially crucial as we continue thinking of new ways to rebuild our city as a destination where businesses of all types can spark investment in commercial districts and increase the economic integration of neighborhoods.”

Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson
Public Art Challenge-winning city, Gary, IN, gives another behind the scenes look at “ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen."

Project Updates:

Gary, IN

GARY — Shannon “Chef Shay” Smith has dropped eight dress sizes, she says, by planning ahead. And you can do it too, she says. All it takes is a little preparation. She told this message to about 20 attendees at the Eat Yourself Fit: Meal Prep like a Boss class last month at Arthouse: A […]