Have Camera, Will Travel – A Walking Adventure of QC Murals
The Queen City Stands in for the Big Apple
by Page Leggett
“There is so much art in our city, and it’s such a gift to us. So often, we drive right by it. But if you can take the time to slow down and really notice it, you’ll see it’s amazing.” – Brooke Brown
Brooke Brown was supposed to be walking around Manhattan last weekend. Instead, she created her own art walk right here at home. She set off on a trek across the Queen City … and she took her camera with her.
ArtPop Needs Your Help to Keep Poppin’
Once upon a time in Charlotte, most of our works of art were cloistered inside buildings. That’s necessary for many kinds of creative work, but not all. Art should be accessible to everyone in a community — including outdoor places, and especially in unexpected places.
That’s what Wendy Hickey of ArtPop Street Gallery believes. And, it’s what she’s devoted herself to for seven years — cultivating classes of artists and negotiating spots on billboards and more to help beautify Charlotte AND amplify the work and reputation of working artists (more than 130 thus far). She’s given all of us free access to creative works in surprising ways.
But, times are challenging, and she needs Charlotte’s help to keep doing her work. As always, Wendy has a plan.
Rachel Martin is Mindful & Good … Now, So is Her Company
There are creatives who are brilliant designers. There are creatives who are brilliant strategists. Put those together and you have a creative who can perform miracles for their clients and make true change in their communities. That’s exactly what Rachel Martin has been doing in the Queen City for years. And, she’s ready to sow the seeds of even more change.
On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Rachel rebranded her company to become Mindful & Good. She has been championing sustainable practices for years, but she’s ready to take it further for herself, her clients and the community.
TODAY: Join a Conversation with Jessica Moss and Manoj Kesavan
This afternoon – May 16 – from 4 to 5:30PM, BOOM Charlotte is playing host to its second BOOM Forum, an online discussion about art, artists and the impact they make on our community. Today, artist/curator/entrepreneur Jessica Moss, known for projects from Rebuild Foundation in Chicago to The Roll Up CLT, will speak with Manoj Kesavan about the vital role of the artist as a servant leader, particularly in times of crisis.
WHAT!?!?! Someone else makes Biscuits?
Thursday was National Buttermilk Biscuit Day (which, we think, should be a Federal holiday) and Bojangles’ commemorated the day by working with artist Taylor Lee to create a timelapse video of Taylor creating a beautiful floral scene out of flour. Click here or the image above to watch it.
Of the experience, Taylor says: “It was a really fun challenge to work with a material that is so integral to my life and Southern culture: flour. This collaboration with Bojangles’ gave me the opportunity to think of dimensional work in a three-dimensional way. I can now see even more potential in the materials around me, whatever we have on hand – literally in the kitchen cabinet, which is so relevant now during the pandemic era.
I created flowers with the flour because I cannot pass up a pun.”
Neither can we, Taylor. Your work really caused our spirits to rise! (Get it! Huh? Okay … we’ll move on.)
Doggos Do’s and Don’ts of Mask Fashion
On our very short ventures out into the real world this week, we didn’t see as many people wearing masks as we would’ve liked. But then we realized, people probably just aren’t sure how to wear them! We know pulling off the latest fashion accessory can be intimidating. Thankfully Sarah Freeman of House of Fosters had her pups model the do’s and don’ts of wearing masks. If dogs can rock the latest look, so can you!
Creatives Are Serious About Wearing Masks
Bopping around Plaza-Midwood, we saw two creative reminders that — although we’re into Phase One — it’s still advisable to wear masks if you’re going to interact with others … or carry one just in case. The image on the left was created by @X_Boy_Fiend and the image on the right is hanging on the door to Boris + Natasha.
Stay Safe Strawberries … FOREVER!
Charlotte master mixologist, Bob Peters, shows us how to make a delicious Quarantine Cocktail — the Stay Safe Strawberry. This drink uses rye whiskey, homemade strawberry syrup, soda water and fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
We’ve been trying to say “thank you” more. To our loved ones. To our friends. To our coworkers. To the essential workers. To the teachers. To the restaurant workers. To those on the frontlines at the hospitals. To those still creating on a daily basis.
And now, we want to say thank you to Mike Wirth for painting this stunning piece at Optimist Hall centered around that same theme… giving thanks.
The installation includes a message from Optimist Hall that reads, “Thank you! To those who sacrifice their time and safety to keep our communities moving no matter what. You are essential and we are grateful.”
We have hope for a brighter future where we are kinder and more grateful for one another. This painting shows the important role art will play in that future.
This Queen City exploration is powered by OrthoCarolina.
Directions: 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Explore other “Where Are We in CLT?” destinations here.
Don’t go ’round hungry. If you missed the last batch of The Biscuit, don’t worry. We’ve kept it warm for you. Our last batch features:
- A new video about the work of mural artist, Georgie Nakima, by Charlotte Star Room
- Biscuit Blitz interviews with John Tosco & Courtney Estes
- SHOUTing from the Rooftops music from Bruce Hazel
- Andy Weber’s “City Love” photobook raising money for breast cancer research
- Barbie’s Bread raising funds for Feeding America
- An easy (and delicious) recipe for hummus
Click here to dig in, y‘all.
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