Three years ago, Chicago-based artist Theater Gates bought a 17,000 space in his native Chicago for “installations and performances.” Among the incredible pieces of work that Gates plans to bring to its gallery, the vinyl collection of Frankie Knuckles is expected to be a highlight of this new “Chicago Arts Center,” reports ArtNews.
“This is a new kind of cultural amenity, a new kind of institution—a hybrid gallery, media archive and library, and community center,” Gates said in a statement.
The arts center is set to open on October 3rd of this year. Knuckles, who was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame in 2005 and has garnered plenty of honors and tributes (including amazing fan art) since his passing last year, will be part of a unique collection here with his vinyls.
The center is also known as the Stony Island Arts Bank – a place that was constructed in the 1920's and represents Chicago's African-American culture with many unique art projects that will remind visitors of racism and the humble beginnings of Chicago's South Side (where it is still located).
Ken Stewart, the CEO of Gates' nonprofit organization noted that “preserving this emblem of the middle-class black community in these neighborhoods—this symbol of the middle class and the Great Migration of the African American community that grew in these neighborhoods.
After News that a mural made for Knuckles will have to be taken down due to renovations, this is a nice story for fans of his legacy. We reported this story earlier in the month, with a link to GoFundMe where a new mural can be created through fan support.
Check out the full report about the Arts center and the addition of Knuckle's vinyl collection here.
