We think anywhere you can add art and a splash of color to the Queen City, you should. Charlotte artist Laurie Smithwick agrees with us. She’s the mastermind behind the “Amplify the Signal” project, which used a grant from the South End Creative Lab to transform boring utility boxes on South Boulevard into works of art.

Smithwick helped chose 8 artists from over 54 submissions to have their work printed on vinyl wraps and attached to the utility boxes. Each artist worked to make their art relate to the South End landmarks surrounding their assigned box.

Our favorite? This whimsical depiction of a dog perfectly located next to Long Animal Hospital, a veterinarian clinic that’s provided care to pets in Charlotte since 1948. This piece by artist Chase Brannock is named “Dog Walkers.”

This Queen City exploration is powered by OrthoCarolina.