According to a recent Block Club Chicago article, Outwest Cafe & Art Gallery aims to debut in the Austin area at 5249 W Chicago Avenue.
“We are aiming for an opening in 2026. The exact date will depend on the progress of construction and funding, but we are excited to bring this vision to life in the near future,” Founder Vanessa Stokes told What Now Chicago.
“Outwest Gallery & Cafe will be a unique fusion of art, culture, community and flavor. Patrons can expect a thoughtfully curated menu featuring coffee, tea, pastries, and a fusion of flavors from all over the world.”
“We will have a farm-to-table focus, creating sustainability with hyper local food sources, and we will also be serving meals to everyone, even if you don’t have money with our “pay what you can” business model. Lastly, The Outwest Gallery & Cafe will have other food programs combining community connection with family style dining. More to come!”
“Dorrell Creightney Photography, my father’s collection, will be on permanent exhibition in the Gallery with a rotating selection of artwork from local and national artists, with a focus on Black artists and creatives from Black Chicago.”
“Customers can also expect a welcoming, beautifully designed space with an open, artistic aesthetic that encourages conversation, collaboration, and inspiration. That would include regular events, including artist talks, live music, poetry nights, creative workshops, and community meetings, in a space that reflects and uplifts the surrounding community, serving as a hub for cultural engagement and artistic expression.”
“Outwest Gallery & Cafe is an extension of my long-term work in community development and cultural programming on Chicago’s Westside. The space was envisioned as part of a larger effort to continue to revitalize and activate the Chicago Avenue Corridor/Soul City Corridor through arts and entrepreneurship.”
“Outwest Gallery & Cafe is a natural next step in building a thriving creative ecosystem in the area. It is directly connected to POPCourts, an initiative, which I helped bring to life, and will serve as both a cultural anchor and a space for gathering, creating, and sharing ideas.”
