New community arts venues led by Chicago-based artist Theaster Gates Jr. will be developed in Washington Park and Greater Grand Crossing through City-owned land sales approved today by City Council.

The sale of a 16,000-square-foot parcel at 1245-57 E. 72nd Place for its appraised value of $88,000 will support the development of a sculpture garden by 7200 S. Kimbark LLC. The project will be an extension of Gates’ adjacent Kimbark Studios, a 25,000-square-foot art studio with a gallery, cinema, event space and workspace. Garden features will include landscaped open spaces and off-street parking. Total project cost is $189,000. The garden will be open for public use and include one full-time and five part-time positions.

A 6,000-square-foot parcel at the southwest corner of Garfield Boulevard and Prairie Avenue will be sold for its appraised value of $36,000 to 264 East Garfield LLC for construction of an outdoor performance venue. The Gates-affiliated organization will improve the site with landscaping, moveable umbrellas and a shade tent for community arts and cultural programs led by local and visiting artists. Total project cost is $400,000. The operation of the venue will include one full-time and approximately 30 part-time positions.

A visual arts professor at the University of Chicago, Gates has exhibited and performed at the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York; Whitechapel Gallery, London; Punta della Dogana, Venice; Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago; Santa Barbara Museum of Art; and Documenta 13, Kassel, Germany; among others.

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