The Zhou brothers built it, and the artists came. In addition to producing internationally lauded works of visual and performance art since the seventies, Chinese-born Shan Zuo and DaHuang Zhou have managed to maintain a living and studio space in the Bridgeport neighborhood for more than a decade.

Committed to mentoring new talents and funding artistic endeavors, the duo planned the Zhou B. Center as a place where that kind of magic could happen. With their warehouse-turned-wonderland of practice rooms, performance spaces and galleries, the Zhou brothers offer their community a blank canvas, where artists can convene, create and show their stuff.

On the first and second floor of the 87,000-square-foot building, galleries host regular exhibitions and performances as well as friendly, wine-and-cheese openings the third Friday of every month. The third floor houses studios for about ten artists-in-residence. If you cap your visit with a stop in the Zhou B. Cafe (serving deli fare daily from 11 a.m.), you may just sup on a sandwich beside the person whose work you've been admiring.

Currently on board are the Oskar Friedl Gallery, 33 Collective Gallery, Martin Bernstein Jewelry and Fine Art; Nick Depeder Painting Studio; CRN Fine Art Services, Martin Soto Gallery & Studio, Jeff McClendon Studio, Chicago Composers Forum, and James Prinz Photography.

Centerstage Reviewer: Julia Steinberger