Creative Crossroads

Creative Crossroads: Remembering our past

photo: Bill Fehr; view this photo on his blog

This is the sixth in a series titled “Creative Crossroads” — where we take a look at the current state of arts and creativity in the city.

As the city of Charlotte looks to the future of the arts, we should also take a moment to remember our history. It often seems our grassroots art and artists fall through the cracks, overlooked as the city is ever focused on building bigger, newer, and higher — always looking forward to the next big multi-million dollar cultural project that we think will define us. Justice for one local street artist in particular would have fell through the cracks as well, had it not been for the involvement of an unlikely friend. The story of David Ray Chisholm after the break:

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photo: James Willamor; view this photo on Flickr

This is the fifth in a series titled “Creative Crossroads” — where we take a look at the current state of arts and creativity in the city.

The Dugg Dugg art gallery opened in early April on the night of the first warm spring gallery crawl in NoDa. It would be closed some two and a half months later, a victim of red tape and code enforcement bureaucracy. Yet in its short life, Dugg Dugg showed the Charlotte arts scene something important. It showed us what art could be in the city, and it is a lesson which other galleries and studios should take to heart.

The short life of Dugg Dugg, and its impact on the Charlotte arts scene:

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photo: James Willamor; view this photo on Flickr

This is the fourth in a series titled “Creative Crossroads” — where we take a look at the current state of arts and creativity in the city.

Local artist William Puckett has “always liked working big,” which is evident if you spend much time in his neighborhood of NoDa. He painted the 7,500 square foot floor of the 28th Row atrium, where Amelie’s Bakery, NC Dance Studio, and others are located. He also painted the “Hey Diddle Diddle” mural across the street, and has a painting hanging outside Cabo Fish Taco. Now William is working on a large mural at 3213 North Davidson Street. The building is located next to Salvador Deli, and across from the Number Seven Fire Station. A group lead by Chris Ingram is looking to open a new bar at the location by this fall, but first the 1,500 square foot building has to be rezoned and renovated.

The mural at 3213 North Davidson will feature more than 230 members of the local community who “live, work, or play” in NoDa. Having completed around a month of preparations, William expects the project to take roughly 1000 working hours over four to six months. William says about the project, “I like the idea of public artwork. I like the idea that the people that will be walking by this and checking it out aren’t necessarily the same people that are going to poke their head in a gallery. I’m outside and doing what I enjoy and I couldn’t think of anything better to do.”

An interview with William Puckett and photos of some other Charlotte murals are after the break:

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photo: James Willamor; view this photo on Flickr

This is the third in a series titled “Creative Crossroads” — where we take a look at the current state of arts and creativity in the city.

NoDa is continuing to evolve and grow as the arts Mecca of Charlotte, and for good reason. Many artists, artisans, venue owners and patrons flock to the area when they desire creative festivities in Charlotte. In the flow of conversation when asked where the art/bohemian culture can be found around here, for many Charlotteans the answer is usually the same: go to NoDa. So, on recommendation by many, to NoDa I went for Culture Initiative’s Art Social, Show & Tell: An Eclectic Showcase of Sight and Sound on June 19 at the Neighborhood Theater.

Review and slideshow after the page break:

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By James Willamor | 28 Jun 09 at 1:23 am | | Posted in Architecture, Art, Business, City, Dance, Design, Development, Entertainment, Theater, Uptown | ZIP: Creative Crossroads |

photo: James Willamor; view this photo on Flickr

This is the second in a series titled “Creative Crossroads” — where we take a look at the current state of arts and creativity in the city.

Next year looks to be the biggest for arts in Uptown since the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center first opened its doors in November of 1992. No less than five new arts venues are set to open to the public in 2010, with the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art recently announcing its grand opening will be on January 2nd. The opening of the venues — the Knight Theater, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Mint Museum, the Afro-American Cultural Center, and the NC Dance Theater – marks an important crossroads for growth of Charlotte’s arts community.

A rundown of the projects and photos showing construction progress after the page break:

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This is the first in a series titled “Creative Crossroads” — where we take a look at the current state of arts and creativity in the city.

When you envision an artist, what do they look like?

I think about Carlleena Person, a Charlotte painter I’ve run into at the farmer’s market and, more recently, at Femme Fest, selling her vivid, abstract paintings.

I think of my mother and her giant marshmallow flower, seen here on display (before the ants ate it) on the campus of Auburn University at Montgomery. Today she’s excited about water painting. Last month it was print making. She, like so many, is always crafting some new masterpiece.

Students stop to inspect Debbie Summerlin's Marshmellow Flower at AUM

Students stop to inspect Debbie Summerlin’s Marshmallow Flower at AUM

I think about Grant Henry, a.k.a. Sister Louisa, scrounging around at flea markets looking for Jesus pictures and tacky portraits to paint funny, yet profound, comments on. I think about the artists on the street corner, twisting copper wire into jewelry, and the songstress on a blue-tarp covered stage, sacrificing her heart through her lyrics.

I think about Ian Reid, founder of ArtCultureOnline.com, working hard to put art supplies in the hands of Charlotte’s underprivileged youth and elderly. I think about my friend, Kristin Vickery, who earns her living selling clay flutes — made in a kiln in her home — at festivals around the country. I think about our own CLT Blog photographers, pulling the spirit of Charlotte through their lens then offering it for all to see.

Yes, I also think about the impressive talent over at Theatre Charlotte and I get that architecture is an art at it’s core, but I don’t stop thinking about the variety of creative talent in our city when I leave their business establishments.

Unfortunately, though, when calculating the impact creative talent has on Charlotte and the surrounded area, those are the types of businesses our local government and business leaders look to when they feel the need to hold up their yardstick.

It’s by earnest belief, however, that artists of all mediums are worthy, that their contribution to our local and global economy is just as important to recognize.

It’s true that they probably won’t employ hundreds of workers, but often they employ themselves and they absolutely make our world a better place to live in.
Read More »

CLT Blog

Creative Crossroads

Creative Crossroads: Remembering our past

Creative Crossroads: The short life of Dugg Dugg

Creative Crossroads: Charlotte murals

Creative Crossroads: Culture Initiative brings something new to NoDa

Creative Crossroads: Uptown’s new arts venues

Creative Crossroads: What does ‘creative’ look like?

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