Eat Your Heart Out Hallmark
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If you’re like me, you wait until the last minute to get your holiday cards in the mail. Last year I was so late that I just went with New Year’s cards. But, have no fear as we have you covered this year. In partnership with Center City Partners and five Queen City Creatives, we have created cards just for you that will make those at Hallmark jealous.
To add a little more holiday cheer to the Square of Trade and Tryon Street, we teamed up with five local artists with very different styles to install giant gift cards in Polk Park: Lo’Vonia Parks, Julia Valle, Eraklis, Caroline Simas and Elle Walsh to create giant holiday cards.
So, grab your camera, head uptown and check them out. And while you are at it, take a few snaps in front of them for your holiday card. They will be on display through December and are designed to be a colorful backdrop for holiday pictures with family and friends.
Julia Valle
Julia’s Holiday Greeting: “I’m wishing everyone very happy holidays filled with peace, love, joy, and lots of yummy food!”
Julia Valle is a newcomer to Charlotte — a California transplant who moved here a little over a year. That’s not all that’s new. At the end of last November, Valle – a architectural designer by trade – also started her side hustle illustration and framing business, Salt & Light Creative Company. Valle’s design, featuring the skyline and beautiful green trees gives off a vintage vibe with a modern twist.
Julia was looking to create something a little different than your typical holiday card, but something that depicted the season and was fun. “I hope people see the love and care put into creating it, but I also hope it reminds them of the beauty and creativity that surrounds us in our great city of Charlotte!”
More About Julia Valle
Tip Valle on Venmo: @JuliaValle16
Lo’Vonia Parks
Lo’Vonia’s Holiday Greeting: “May you be warmly welcomed, cherished and loved during this holiday season. “
Lo’Vonia Parks is a Charlotte Native whose style is colorful, fun and whimsical. For her holiday card she chose to depict Queen Charlotte being a little naughty.
“My inspiration was Queen Charlotte in a whimsical way. I was inspired by my time as a child living in Germany and gingerbread. I wanted to create something like a big gingerbread framed Christmas card and queen Charlotte sneakily taking a piece of it in the lower right hand corner.”
More About Lo’Vonia Parks
Tip Parks on Venmo: @LoVoniaParks
Eraklis Petmezas
Eraklis’ Holiday Greeting: “I wish you a happy Holiday season filled with love and good cheer. May the coming new year be filled with amazing experiences and opportunities. I truly wish you the very best.”
Eraklis Petmezas is storyteller, illustrator and comics creator. When asked about the inspiration was for his card, he said, “I love the myth and stories that surround Santa Claus. I’ve always enjoyed creating images, so when I was asked about contributing to the holiday card I knew I wanted to create something with Santa.”
More About Eraklis Petmezas
Tip Petmezas on PayPal: epetmezas@gmail.com
Caroline Simas
Caroline’s Holiday Greeting: “Wishing you a colorful, joyful, happy holiday season!”
Bold shapes and vibrant colors are the foundation of Caroline Simas’ holiday card. A geometric tree greets visitors and the pop of color will definitely conjure a smile. “I hope it brings people a sense of JOY after the craziest 1.5-2 years we’ve ever experienced,” said Simas, a prolific artist working out of Dilworth Artisan Salon. [NOTE: See her work featured in this month’s edition of Partnership Pairings with Work for Your Beer.]
More About Caroline Simas
Tip Simas on Venmo: @multipleblessings
Elle Walsh
Elle’s Holiday Greeting: “Let’s Sleigh This Holiday Season!”
You may know Elle Walsh as @cltchalkart, but Walsh is expanding her talents and moving from the sidewalk to the canvas. Her card depicts a quiet winter scene populated by a lone (but cheery) snowman.
Her inspiration for her card was to depict the holidays of yesteryear. She would like for people to get a sense of nostalgia and a reminder to pause to remember those we’ve lost who we have shared past holidays with.
More About Elle Walsh
INSTAGRAM
In lieu of a tip, Elle asks admirers of her work consider supporting local makers this holiday season instead buying gifts at of big box stores.
See the Cards on QC Life
Matt Olin and Tim Miner of Charlotte Is Creative shared the story of the cards at Polk Park with Dedrick Russell on WBTV’s QC Life. Click the image below to watch the segment.
This project was sponsored by
