Third City Studio, an art gallery, studio, classroom, and event space, will open in October 2025 at 5538 W. North Avenue in Austin, Chicago, as the first phase of the North Austin Arts District. Next door, Third City Cafe is set to open in early 2026. The projects are spearheaded by Jon Womack of Third City Properties, in partnership with community leaders including Vanessa Stokes of Outwest Gallery & Cafe. The studio will highlight West Side artists, offer artists-in-residency programs, and partner with after-school programs. Executive director Sid Zalani is organizing the inaugural exhibition, accepting submissions through September 15.
This development matters because it represents the first concrete step in transforming a stretch of North Avenue into a dedicated arts district, aiming to revitalize the Austin neighborhood by combining arts spaces, retail, and affordable housing. By providing a platform for local artists, especially those from the West Side, and creating a community hub for networking and events, the project addresses a lack of gathering spaces in the area and seeks to foster cultural and economic growth in a historically underserved community.