We’ll Drop New Art. You Drop the Knowledge. 

The Drop … drops on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.

Like we said above, connection is critical. It’s what drives the Charlotte creative community forward. 

You know Charlotte Is Creative loves to gather creatives together. And, you know we work to help emerging and under-resourced creatives make new work or show their work to a larger audience. 

Often, those are separate endeavors. What if those two efforts had a baby? Our new quarterly event, The Drop, is doing just that. 

COMBINING CONVERSATION WITH COMMISSIONED ART

Made possible by support from the North Carolina Arts Council, the Spark the Arts Grant and Divine Barrel Brewing, The Drop is a public event that combines creative community fellowship with the unveiling of a new 12’ x 8’ mural commissioned from local artists of color, followed by a community discussion about opportunities, challenges and movements in Charlotte’s creative community. 

The murals remain on display at Divine Barrel for a few months and will then be donated to a local organization for ongoing display. The art will also be featured on cans of Divine Barrel beer distributed throughout North Carolina.

“We’re excited to be a part of The Drop,” said Gavin Toth, co-owner of Divine Barrel. “It’s everything Divine Barrel has strived to be. Community, art, and communication all wrapped up in a great series of events.”

Matt Olin, co-founder of Charlotte Is Creative, agrees. “When you can combine compensation (a commissioned mural) with innovative exposure (statewide distribution of their artwork on beer cans), this is another way we can really start to move the meter for creatives on the rise.” 

STARTING WITH THE WEST SIDE

For the inaugural gathering of The Drop on Nov. 15, Charlotte Is Creative partnered with #BEATTIESFORDSTRONG, led by artist and educator Ricky Singh, to create the mural. Singh selected artists Ty McBride and Danyelle Ray to co-create the first Drop mural.

“I hope that this opportunity continues to put Beatties Ford Road and the west side of Charlotte in the forefront of conversations regarding community building and engagement,” said Singh.  

“Every step forward is an opportunity to share all that is great on the west side, past, present and building for the future. Being a part of The Drop inaugural series is an honor. It is through support and innovative thinking that great things are born.”

Drop Into The Drop

Join us for The Drop on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. to be among the first to see this exciting new work, engage in conversation with the artists and creative team and meet new Queen City creatives. Attendance is free. To get updates on The Drop and let us know you’ll be dropping by, click here.