Over the past few years, Charlotte's Mural scene has amped up. From "The Child" and the carpet mural along the light rail, to the new BLM street mural in the middle of Uptown's Tryon Street - you certainly have a choice of beautiful and unique art created by some amazing local artists.
On an overcast day last week (well...two days because the kids got hungry and it started to rain!), we hit up some of Charlotte's murals and it made for the perfect family excursion. The kids loved picking out their favorites and taking photos, and then wanted to come home and recreate the beautiful works at home on our own brick and concrete. Obviously, painting our brick wasn't an option, but showing them that art comes in all forms certainly makes this mama heart happy.
Here are some of our favorites from the day (in a suggested order from North to South) with an interactive map to show you where they are, information about the artist and what you can expect. (You can click on the map (the square at the far right) and then hit the three dots to print the map 😀)
CAMP NORTH END ~ GLOBES AND PAINTED DOORS (NOTE: Since we did this excursion, globes have been dispersed around Charlotte)
Cool Globes: Cool Ideas for a Hotter Planet is a nonprofit organization that curates a traveling public art exhibit created to raise awareness of solutions to climate change. Since 2007, the exhibition has traveled around the United States and the world reaching millions of viewers across the actual globe. This installment of 35 globes will be in Charlotte through October 2020 and features five new works by local Charlotte artists, one of which was created entirely by students. Some globes still remain at Camp North End, but many are now on display around town.
Camp North End also boasts a number of murals by many different artists on the shipping dock doors. Ranging from vibrant and colorful to historical in nature, you won't want to miss them.
XOXO WALL AT OPTIMIST HALL
This wall is full of love - and while it may not be an "official" Charlotte mural, it was one of our favorites!
PURE'LL GOLD ~ NODA
Darion Flemming painted a wall with a bottle of Purell hand sanitizer pouring out pure gold at the beginning of the Coronavirus. “Available Nowhere” the painted label said.
"BABY YODA" ~ NODA
Alex DeLarge painted this "baby yoda" (yes, we can all dispute whether its Baby Yoda or The Child - this is what he named it!) and later, on the yellow portion of the mural, he added the Black Lives Matter. Both are vibrant and fantastic! Also, the NoDa Market and Deli that supports this wonderful mural, has delicious sandwiches served with PERFECT french fries!
BLACK LIVES MATTER STREET MURAL AND WINDOW BOARDS ~ UPTOWN
We previously shared this mural with you (HERE) but had to experience it ourselves. This street mural, in response to the George Floyd murder and subsequent protests, is a compilation of various Charlotte artists and is absolutely magnificent. Each letter has its own symbolism and theme, and much like our community, the intention is to come together to celebrate differences and diversity. And it works!
Unfortunately, someone decided to drive their car upon the street mural and deface it ~ so the artists are working diligently to touch up the defaced areas and we had the pleasure of meeting one of them. The kids were able to ask the symbolism and it was really a great experience for them.
Alongside the street mural, on the boarded up windows, artists created even more beautiful works - celebrating our youth in this one!
PEACE OUT @ FLOWER CHILD ~ SOUTH END
These beautifully adorned peace-sign fingers were fun to pose with. You can find them on the Camden Road side of the Flower Child building, by the take-out door!
THE GOOD OF THE HIVE @ FLOWER CHILD ~ SOUTH END
The Good of the Hive was founded by artist Matthew Willey who is on a personal mission to hand-paint 50,000 honeybees- the number necessary for a healthy, thriving hive. The Good of the Hive also celebrates the power in human connection, which we celebrate in our restaurants each and every day.
THE DONUT WALL @ KRISPY KREME HQ ~ SOUTH END
Created by Gina Elizabeth Franco, this wall of scrumptious donuts is painted on the back-side (SPACES side) of the Krispy Kreme corporate offices at 2116 Hawkins Street. While we were there taking photos, one of the Krispy Kreme HQ employees came out with...wait for it ... TWO BOXES OF OG DONUTS. Yes! Oh, and paper hats for the kids. It was amazing. And, soon enough, you'll be able to get your own donuts at a walk-up window they are in the process of building. You'll be able to get new and tester flavors as well as other tasty treats. This is a must!
CONFETTI HEARTS WALL @ JENNI'S ICE CREAM ~ SOUTH END
Created by Evelyn Henson, the Confetti Hearts Wall is still one of our favorites. With messages like Be Kind and Love Others, this wall is a great reminder of what's important - especially right now! While you're there, make sure to grab some ice cream - you won't be disappointed!
** Some others that, despite our desire, we were not able to get to include:
- Light Rail "Magic Carpets" - along the light rail in South End
- Jenni's Ice Cream Stripes in Noda
- Do The Things That Light You Up at Two Scoops in Plaza Midwood
- Technicolor Portal in uptown by the Spectrum Center
- Back to the Future DeLorian near discovery Place Science
- Equity at Hal Marshall Annex (618 College Street)
- Superheros Mural behind Midwood Smokehouse in Plaza Midwood
- Thanos at Seventh Sin Tattoo in Plaza Midwood (also there, Kool Aid Man)
- Goldmine and the Skyline at Max & Lola on Mint Street
- Colorful Steps at Dresslers Metropolitan
