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If it’s not on the Gram, did it even happen? Charlotte’s Instagramable spots in 2020

Artist Nick Napoletano’s work can be found all over Charlotte. One of his newst works, Awake, is on North Caldwell Street.
Artist Nick Napoletano’s work can be found all over Charlotte. One of his newst works, Awake, is on North Caldwell Street. Nick Napoletano CharlotteFive



Charlotte and Instagram make a good team. With easy access to skyline views, a thriving street art scene and trendy restaurant designs abound, the Queen City is full of places to snap a Gram-worthy pic.

Classics like Disco Chicken, Jeni’s Ice Cream and the Magic Carpet have stood the test of time, while newer spots like the Love Warrior and Perspective murals have quickly become Insta-cool. The good news for social media fans looking to amp up their feeds in 2020? There are more exciting backdrops headed our way.

At Portal CLT, an interactive and immersive art experience that was practically made for Instagram, new artists are creating rooms on a regular basis.. While there is no set schedule, several new rooms have opened since the start of 2020. Artist Sydney Duarte, who is responsible for co-creating the Hand Room and the recently opened Candy-themed exhibit with her mother, Ann, said, “Imagine Willy Wonka meets Candyland.”

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Duarte is also working with artist Nick Napoletano on two interactive murals at the Metropolitan. Napoletano, who is responsible for the popular Solstice and Equity murals, has already completed part one of the three-part series — the Rorschach Test. The duo will be working together to wrap up an interactive staircase within the month and is working on a sprawling interactive exhibit in the parking deck by Best Buy and Trader Joe’s. Suddenly, a trip to the grocery store doesn’t seem so boring.

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Napoletano will also be bringing his talents to the walls of Cava at Atherton Mills in 2020.

Confetti Wall fans keep your fingers crossed. Creator Eveyln Henson shared, “My dream is to do a few more confetti murals so there’s kindness scattered like confetti throughout the city.”

Mum’s the word on several other Queen City projects in the works. What we can tell you is: Keep your cameras ready.

Newbies

(1) Awake

Awake can be found at 225 N. Caldwell St.
Awake can be found at 225 N. Caldwell St. Nick Napoletano CharlotteFive

Artist: Nick Napoletano

@napoletanoart

225 N. Caldwell St.

(2) Celebrate Every Day at Hygge

Find the Celebrate Every Day mural at Hygge, 1776 Statesville Ave. in Camp North End.
Find the Celebrate Every Day mural at Hygge, 1776 Statesville Ave. in Camp North End. Sydney Duarte CharlotteFive

Artist: Sydney Duarte

@traveling_gypsy

Camp North End

1776 Statesville Ave.

(3) Love Warrior

Love Warrior is at 1426 E. 4th Street.
Love Warrior is at 1426 E. 4th Street. Courtesy of Maria “Toofly” Castillo CharlotteFive


Artist: Maria “Toofly” Castillo

@toofly_nyc

Devil’s Logic Brewery

1426 E. 4th St.

(4) Parkwood Mural

The Parkwood Mural at Optimist Park can be found at 1700 N. Brevard St.
The Parkwood Mural at Optimist Park can be found at 1700 N. Brevard St. Nick Napoletano CharlotteFive


Artist: Nick Napoletano

@napoletanoart

Parkwood at Optimist Park

1700 N. Brevard St.

(5) Perspective at the Blumenthal

Perspective at the Blumenthal can be found at 130 N. Tryon St.
Perspective at the Blumenthal can be found at 130 N. Tryon St. Courtesy of Ann Duarte, Sydney Duarte and Nick Napoletano CharlotteFive

Artists: Sydney and Ann Duarte, along with Nick Napoletano

@traveling_gypsy, @duarte_designs, @napoletanoart

130 N. Tryon St.

(6) Portal CLT Candyland

The Candyland room at Portal CLT.
The Candyland room at Portal CLT. Sydney Duarte CharlotteFive

Artists: Sydney and Ann Duarte @duarte_designs

114 S. Tryon St.

(7) Portal CLT Da Baby Room

See Da Baby Room at Portal CLT, 114 S. Tryon St.
See Da Baby Room at Portal CLT, 114 S. Tryon St. Hannah Conkling CharlotteFive

Artist: unknown

114 S. Tryon St.

(8) Portal CLT Hand Room

Portal CLT's Hand Room, found at 114 S. Tryon St.
Portal CLT's Hand Room, found at 114 S. Tryon St. Courtesy of Ann and Sydney Duarte CharlotteFive

Artists: Sydney & Ann Duarte @duarte_designs

114 S. Tryon St.

(9) Rorschach Test at the Metropolitan (Part one of a three part series)

Rorschach Test is at the Metropolitan, 1111 Metropolitan Ave.
Rorschach Test is at the Metropolitan, 1111 Metropolitan Ave. Nick Napoletano CharlotteFive

Artist: Nick Napoletano

@napoletanoart

1111 Metropolitan Ave.

(10) Talking Walls Mural by Emily Eldridge

Find Emily Eldridge's Talking Walls Mural at 108 S. Torrence St.
Find Emily Eldridge's Talking Walls Mural at 108 S. Torrence St. Emily Eldridge CharlotteFive


Artist: Emily Eldridge

@emily_eldridge_art

Devil’s Logic Brewery

1426 E. 4th St.

Oldies but goodies

(11) Art of the Chalice (Bloom)

Art of the Chalice by Osiris Rain is at 3211 N. Davidson St.
Art of the Chalice by Osiris Rain is at 3211 N. Davidson St. Stacey Lanier Photography


Artist: Osiris Rain

@osirisrain

3211 N. Davidson St.

(12) Confetti Hearts Wall

The Confetti Hearts Wall is at 930 Camden Road.
The Confetti Hearts Wall is at 930 Camden Road. Stacey Lanier Photography


Artist: Evelyn Henson

@evelyn_henson

930 Camden Road

(13) Confetti Stripes Wall

Evelyn Henson's Confetti Stripes Wall is at 424 E. 36th St.
Evelyn Henson's Confetti Stripes Wall is at 424 E. 36th St. Vika Photography CharlotteFive

Artist: Evelyn Henson

@evelyn_henson

424 E. 36th St.

(14) Disco Chicken (aka Firebird)

The Disco Chicken — also known as Firebird and its official name “Le Grand Oiseau de Feu Sur l’Arche,” or “The Large Bird of Fire on the Arch” — has been a heavily photographed spot in Charlotte for decades.
The Disco Chicken — also known as Firebird and its official name “Le Grand Oiseau de Feu Sur l’Arche,” or “The Large Bird of Fire on the Arch” — has been a heavily photographed spot in Charlotte for decades. Stacey Lanier Photography CharlotteFive

Artist: Niki de Saint Phalle

Bechtler Museum of Art

420 S. Tryon St

(15) Do The Things That Light You Up

Sydney Duarte poses with her mural outside Two Scoops.
Sydney Duarte poses with her mural outside Two Scoops. Ariel Perry CharlotteFive

Artists: Sydney and Ann Duarte

@duarte_designs

Two Scoops Creamery

913 Central Ave.

(16) Equity

Artist: Nick Napoletano

@napoletanoart

817 N. College St.

(17) Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream (South End)

The South End location of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is at 1920 Camden Road.
The South End location of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is at 1920 Camden Road. Stacey Lanier Photography CharlotteFive

1920 Camden Road

(18) The Fibonacci (The Swirl)

Artist: Jonay di Ragno

@jonay_di_ragno

3211 N. Davidson St.

(19) Magic Carpet

Magic Carpet, a ground mural along the light rail line, can be found at 2161 Hawkins St.
Magic Carpet, a ground mural along the light rail line, can be found at 2161 Hawkins St. Stacey Lanier Photography CharlotteFive

Artists: Jessie Unterhalter and Katey Truhn

@jessieandkatey

2161 Hawkins St.

(20) Marshall Park

Marshall Park, at 800 E. 3rd St., offers both a fountain and a skyline view.
Marshall Park, at 800 E. 3rd St., offers both a fountain and a skyline view. Stacey Lanier Photography CharlotteFive

800 E. 3rd St.

(21) Midnight Diner

115 E. Carson Blvd., #4030

(22) People Wall

William Puckett's People Wall is at Jack Beagle’s, 3213 N. Davidson St.
William Puckett's People Wall is at Jack Beagle’s, 3213 N. Davidson St. Stacey Lanier Photography CharlotteFive

Artist: William Puckett

@mr_puckett

Jack Beagle’s Bar

3213 N. Davidson St.

(23) Reigning Donuts

3120 N. Davidson St., Suite 100

(24) Romare Bearden Park

Picturesque Romare Bearden Park is at 300 S. Church St.
Picturesque Romare Bearden Park is at 300 S. Church St. Stacey Lanier Photography CharlotteFive

300 S. Church St.

(25) Solstice Tavern

You can find the Solstice Tavern mural at 3211 N. Davidson St. 
You can find the Solstice Tavern mural at 3211 N. Davidson St.  Courtesy of Nick Napoletano CharlotteFive


Artist: Nick Napoletano

@napoletanoart

3211 N. Davidson St.

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This story was originally published February 5, 2020 at 5:30 AM.

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Laurie Larsh
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Laurie Larsh is a freelance writer and travel junkie with an affinity for sunglasses, coffee and all things Tarheels. Relentless curiosity about people and places keep her wondering and wandering near and far and writing stories about it. Follow her travel adventures on Instagram @goexplauring or her website www.goexplauring.com.
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