NikeLab and the designer Virgil Abloh have launched the Chicago Re-Creation Center at 673 de N. Michigan Avenue. Slated to run during the summer, from May 31 to July 28, this “cultural hub” is intended to provide mentorships and workshops for the young in Abloh's hometown as well as exclusive drops and giveback programs. There will also be panel discussions with other local designers, such as Chuck Anderson, Paul Octavious, Alyx Harch, Thomas Kelley, Carrie Norman and Ann Lui and Craig Reschke. The panelists will speak about their respective specialties, which include branding, fabric design, graphic design and photography. Information for prospective applicants is available through the Nike SNKRS app. The Re-Creation Center is also hosting the “Reuse-a-Shoe” program. Nike is accepting worn-out sneakers from the public to turn them into Nike Grind, a branded raw material for new shoes, apparel or athletic surfaces. For example, Nike Grind will be a component in a community basketball court that Abloh has designed for Chicago for next year's NBA All-Star game. And that's not all for Abloh this summer. In addition to his Nike projects, the designer has his own exhibition, called “Figures of Speech,” at the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art. It will be running through Sept. 22.

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