Explore Pineville’s Pockets Full of Sunshine “Bubbles of Kindness” mural by Holt School of Fine Art students — PHOTO CREDIT: Amanda Lea A Creative Tour of Our Friends to the South: Pineville, NCA small but mighty community between Charlotte’s city limits and the South Carolina line, Pineville was once a settlement centered on a stagecoach stop along a wagon road. The collection of meadows and pastures was known as Morrow’s Turnout, since traders would turn out their animals to graze here. Today, Pineville’s population of about 8,400 continues to invite neighboring communities to visit its downtown streets and peaceful parks. There aren’t many pastures to graze upon, but there are plenty of experiences to feed your creativity. Click here (or the button below) to start your creative quest through Pineville. 
This is the eighth installment of an exploration series sponsored by OrthoCarolina, that encourages everyone to go for walks to discover creative communities across the Charlotte region. SPONSORED BY
 PHOTO CREDIT: Pam Imhof HUG LIFE: Pam Imhof Gifts Her School with a New MuralOver the summer, Charlotte teacher and mural artist, Pam Imhof (a.k.a. @theleftbrainedartist), won a $250 HUG Micro-Grant for materials to paint a mural inside First Ward Creative Arts Academy in uptown Charlotte. That part was simple. But, it was the beginning of a creative odyssey. While Imhof painted the mural herself over the course of 70 hours (“It took so many coats to cover the cinder blocks!”), she didn’t design it on her own. She asked her co-workers what they wanted to see in her final work through a survey she created. After reviewing their responses, Imhof developed the themes and visuals at work in the 9-foot by 33-foot mural. The added step she took to ask those who would see it every day to participate in the process resulted in a work of art that already has deep meaning to the school’s staff. “Most responses included the concepts of diversity and the arts,” said Imhof. “The principal loves the mural and the representation of our school’s arts theme and the diversity of our students. Everyone on the staff has been commenting on how it brightens up our school.” 
The paint is barely dry on the mural, but the student response is already rolling in. “The students absolutely love the new mural,” said Imhof. “The best response I’ve heard came when I first started painting the silhouettes. As the students walked by, I heard them saying things like ‘That looks like me!’ and ‘That looks like you!’ to each other.” Now that this mural is done, Imhof is already on to her next project — a 300-foot-long street mural along 11th St. for the City of Charlotte’s Urban Design program. It may be a new work of art, but she’s implementing creative tactics learned on her HUG-funded mural: Her students gave her ideas of images to include. We’ll follow up with Imhof when the street mural is done and report on it here in The Biscuit. Give a HUG. Get a HUG.HUG Micro-Grants are funded by NoDa Brewing, Wells Fargo, Google Fiber and individual donors. Bear HUGs ($1,000 grants for previous HUG grantees) and Helping Hand HUG ($300 credit for local charitable group at the Charlotte Community Tool Bank) are powered by the LendingTree Foundation. To give in any amount to a future HUG or to apply for one, visit HUGGrant.com.
Explore the East Side at BOOM Echoes This SundayBOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM Charlotte is echoing through east Charlotte. On Nov. 14, BOOM Charlotte, in partnership with Charlotte East, OurBridge for Kids and Refugee Support Services, is hosting BOOM Echoes East Charlotte, a free, public celebration of the community’s art, diversity and culture. The three-hour event will be full of music, dancing, poetry, art, games and food that showcases and celebrates east Charlotte’s immigrant community. Manoj Kessevan of BOOM Charlotte had this to say about the event: “Charlotte’s east side is known for its thriving immigrant community. This influx of cultures has added a well-mixed international flair to Charlotte. However, this community has yet to be woven into the fabric of Charlotte’s art scene. BOOM Echoes East is an initiative to address that.” More DetailsWhat: Boom Echoes East Charlotte
When: Nov. 14 from 2-5 p.m.
Where: Sailboat Bay Apartments (5417 Albemarle Rd.)
How Much: Free and open to the public! All are welcome. Artists Participating in the Event- Bunny Gregory, Visual Art
- DJ Steel Wheel, Music
- Elsie Mufuka, African Dance
- Jay Ward, Poetry/Spoken Word
- Justin Evans, Poetry/Spoken Word
- Kurma Murrain, Poetry/Spoken Word
- Lorraine Crittendon, Urban Dance
- Richard Cutright, Hip-Hop
Want to Volunteer?BOOM Charlotte is looking for volunteers who have a passion for the arts and want to help with the event. To learn more about the BOOM Echoes of East Charlotte event or to offer to volunteer, visit their website. | The Biscuit is proudly sponsored by: |  |
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