CLM Fall 2018

IN THE CITY
TEXT BY ADAM RHEW, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
FOR CHARLOTTE CENTER CITY PARTNERS
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CHARLOTTE CENTER CITY PARTNERS
On a recent Thursday night, Uptown’s
museums and art galleries were
bustling. Couples out for date nights
strolled past sculptures; families wandered
through exhibits before heading
to their next stop. This was the scene at
Uptown Crawl—a monthly event that
provides free access to participating
galleries and museums in the heart of
Charlotte. A unique feature of Uptown
Crawl is the free trolley that shuttles
visitors from one cultural institution
to the next.
Center City is home to a thriving and
vibrant cultural scene, with a con-
and an opportunity to meet the artists.
The galleries are always rotating interesting
displays of everything from fine
art oils and pastels, encaustic cityscape
paintings, contemporary glass, jewelry
and mosaics.
And let’s not forget the dramatic—
and fun—public art that is visible
throughout Center City. From the iconic
firebird in front of the Bechtler
Museum of Modern Art to “Spiral
Odyssey” in Romare Bearden Park to
the multicolored magic carpet murals
painted on the Charlotte Rail Trail, it’s
virtually impossible to walk through
Charlotte was founded as Charlotte-Towne,
in honor of Her Majesty Queen Charlotte of
Mecklenburg on December 3, 1768.
stantly evolving roster of arts events.
There are 23 galleries and nine performing
arts venues in Center City, not
to mention many more places to hear
live music and watch performances in
parks and public spaces.
Indeed, we are lucky to be the home
of the region’s largest concentration of
arts and cultural amenities, many of
which attract visitors from far and wide.
The magic extends to South End,
where a popular gallery crawl has
become one of the neighborhood’s
most anticipated events. On the first
Friday evening of every month, many
South End galleries (and the occasional
unconventional space like a design
studio or furniture shop) will stay open
late to host lively receptions for new art
exhibitions with music, food and drink,
Center City without experiencing art.
There will be even more opportunities
to interact with the cultural sector
during the next year as we celebrate
the city of Charlotte’s 250th anniversary.
Thanks to a partnership among
city leaders and with the incredible
support of presenting sponsor Atrium
Health, CLT250 is a community-wide,
year-long celebration filled with events
large and small that will invite our citizens
to share and commemorate our
storied past; celebrate our city’s independence,
ingenuity, determination,
collaboration, compassion and
resiliency; and imagine a successful
and unified future filled with hope and
opportunity for all.
CLT250 will culminate in May 2019
with the return of Charlotte Shout, a
signature festival of music, art, food and
innovation. This celebration highlights
Charlotte’s vibrant arts scene—one
that’s fully on display every day in the
heart of the urban core. ■
78 | CHARLOTTE LIVING