Take a walk on the artistic side!

This summer, the City of Charlotte Placemaking department also organized 14 artists and artist groups to paint 15 street murals in neighborhoods across the city. Artists selected from the program’s artist pool were asked to respond to the impact of COVID-19 on our community through creating a 15-foot, one-lane mural. They were paid $1,000 per mural.

With the help of Charlotte photographer, Ernest Moren, we will share a closer look at 5 of these new street murals a week. This is the second batch of murals, featuring new works from Charlotte artists Abel Jackson, Makayla Binter, Nico Amortegui, Ruth Ava Lyons and Rosalia Torres-Weiner.

Click here to see Week One’s batch of 5 street murals from Anastasia Netrebine, ArtC Collaborative, Gina Franco, Irisol Gonzalez and PureLove.

Enjoy these photos and then get out (safely) and experience them yourselves!

ABEL JACKSON

INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

Tip Abel with Venmo: @Abel-Jackson3
Location: Crestdale Drive and Newland Road

A Word from the Artist:

“The subject matter of my mural was centered around the effects of Covid-19. On one side you have a little child learning how to wash their hands effectively and on the other side you have nature flourishing as a result of the “shut-down”. This time period reduced the harmful effects that our lifestyles can have on mother nature. I hope that my mural has a positive effect on the community.”

“I received tremendous support from the community. I did not design the mural specifically for Dalebrook, however, the design fit perfectly with the aesthetics of the community.”

MAKAYLA BINTER

INSTAGRAM

Tip Makayla with CashApp: $makbin
Location: 500 Andrill Terrace 

A Word from the Artist:

“I was unaware of what neighborhoods these murals could be placed in, but I wanted to make sure to add a young Black girl as my main subject because I am always thinking about representation in art. If I had the chance to paint the mural, I wanted to make sure young Black girls saw themselves in it.”

“Davidson College, in an effort to maintain community support and connection, started doing Zoom-based art galleries in response to COCID-19. As an active participant and audience member of the interactive gallery, I loved seeing the work people had been and were in the process of creating. I got the chance to hear from and see creatives I had never met on campus.”

“COVID also opened my eyes to the digital platforms that allowed the arts to flourish from our phones and our laptops. So, I wanted to showcase that world because although we have been struggling with economic crisis, housing, political turmoil, and social reform- our devices have become a whole colorful universe of their own. We are just lucky enough to have a front seat.”

Nico Amortegui

INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

Tip Nico: Nico hopes you’ll consider a donation to OurBridge of Charlotte in lieu of a tip.
Location: Enderly Road and Bonaire Drive

A Word from the Artist:

“I believe that art should be more accessible to the public and that art in public makes a place richer in culture and promotes its general well being. Creating a feeling is the essence of placemaking art. It’s the ability to stay with the person (even after the fact) and evoke warmth, fondness and reminiscence of a place. I can only hope my art does that for the Enderly Park community.”

“COVID times can be a roller coaster of emotions, ranging from stressful to weird as we are all adjusting to a new daily normal. The mural depicts an “air hug” at its center flanked by images of reconnection between people and nature – all highlighting our resilience as a human race.”

RUTH AVA LYONS

INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

Tip Ruth Ava with Paypal.
Location: 516 East 35th Street

A Word from the Artist:

The title of Ruth Ava’s work is “Be A Weed.”

“All my work is a response to issues surrounding the natural world. Nature has really shown up and delivered its benefits to many during the past few months, offering positivity, solace and calm to our culture experiencing the challenges and also the importance of the moment.”

“I kept seeing dandelions cycling on the McAlpine Greenway, so I used a black dandelion to symbolize our ability/determination to proliferate and THRIVE in the most difficult of circumstances and places, no matter what the obstacles. People regard this flower in a negative way, but I see it as a matter of perspective. We need to change our perspective on so many things that prevent us from truly liberating our minds and seeing things in a whole new way. Nature created dandelions as a thing of beauty to exist on its own terms. Like the dandelion, we can thrive together as nature intended.. if we choose to.All we have to do is put in the work. Maybe its time for dandelion to be our lawns.”

“This is my message of Hope and growth. All I hope for as an artist is to make a connection.”

“My design was created before the neighborhood was selected, so there was no influence. However, I will say that I had the most enjoyable interactions with residents than I could have imagined. It is a very special place. And, based on my activist history with the area, very dear to my heart.”

ROSALIA TORRES-WEINER

INSTAGRAM

Tip Rosalia with CashApp: $RosaliaWeiner
Location: 1035 Harrill Street

A Word from the Artist:

“My mural represents the strength and resilience of our community during this pandemic. I was inspired by people who have lifted my spirits in this time and reminded of what a great city we live in. I hope that the mural provides them with the same lift and with some reassurance that we will get through this together.”

“Belmont is a diverse and bustling area, where you can find all kinds of people, cultures and interests … kind of like my mural!”

Photo Gallery

Take a closer look at the works above.

Photography from Ernest Moren.