University of Chicago opens Richard Hunt-inspired bistro at Logan Center

The Hunt at Logan is now open at the University of Chicago’s Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, blending food, art and community around the legacy of sculptor Richard Hunt. A public grand opening is set for Nov. 19, 2026, as the campus venue aims to become a destination for dining, reflection and cultural connection.

Why it matters: - The Hunt turns a campus dining space into a cultural venue centered on Richard Hunt’s legacy. - The bistro is designed to draw students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community into one shared space. - The project reflects a broader push to use hospitality to support healthier choices, stronger community ties and a deeper sense of belonging.

What happened: - The Hunt at Logan is now open at the University of Chicago’s Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. - The bistro brings together nutritious food, art and community in one space. - A public grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 19, 2026, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. - The Hunt is framed as an immersive tribute to sculptor Richard Hunt, who was born in Chicago and raised on the South Side.

The details: - The space includes two Richard Hunt sculptures, African art and archival materials from the Richard Hunt Legacy Foundation and the Richard Hunt Trust. - Portraits of Hunt by photographer Sandro Miller are also displayed. - Monica Haslip of Little Black Pearl developed the concept as an extension of her work connecting art, education, entrepreneurship, racial healing and community development on Chicago’s South Side. - Haslip also connected the project to Carver 47, the food and wellness market inspired by Dr. George Washington Carver. - Lizz Wright created the menu for The Hunt. - Menu items include The Sculpture sandwich, the BBQ Jerk Salmon Burger and The Woodlawn. - The drink menu includes Signature Juices & Smoothies such as Green Glory, Moses, Joy, Red C, Front Porch, Jade and Sol Fuel. - Chartwells Higher Education described the project as a model for campus hospitality that can shape how students eat, gather and discover new perspectives.

Between the lines: - The Hunt follows a familiar format used by dining spaces that honor major artists, placing Richard Hunt in the company of venues tied to Picasso, Mary Cassatt, Julio González and Salvador Dalí. - The Logan Center is using the bistro to extend its role as a cultural hub, not just a performance or study space. - The design aims to make the artist’s story part of everyday campus life instead of limiting it to museums or archives. - The collaboration also deepens the Logan Center’s long-running relationship with Little Black Pearl and expands its partnership network to include the Richard Hunt Legacy Foundation and the Richard Hunt Trust. - Jon Ott, executive director of the Richard Hunt Legacy Foundation, said the location near Hunt’s birthplace in West Woodlawn underscores the artist’s lifelong connection to the University of Chicago.

What's next: - The Nov. 19 grand opening will formally introduce The Hunt to the public. - The University of Chicago and its partners are positioning the bistro as a place to meet, study, reflect and experience art. - The project is expected to continue building on the Logan Center’s record of celebrating South Side cultural legacies and supporting arts education.

The bottom line: - The Hunt is more than a cafeteria-style opening. It is a campus restaurant built to keep Richard Hunt’s art and history in daily circulation.