View local art and meet the Charlotte artists from the comfort of your couch
Jim Dukes with the Charlotte Art League gave credit to COVID-19 for the organization’s first virtual exhibit “Ab’strakt” in a two-minute video introducing the show.
“The Ab’strakt show is our first foray into (virtual exhibits),” said Dukes, community manager for CAL. “We’re able to provide artwork to the community as well as keeping our artists engaged and active and creative. (It’s keeping them) from thinking about other things besides worries and anxieties. We can put something interesting and beautiful out to the community.”
CAL was founded in 1965. The nonprofit has more than 200 artist members, and typically holds art shows, classes and workshops on a regular basis in a 9,500 square foot facility across from the Sugar Creek light-rail station. Dukes was recently named its new executive director, and will take over June 1 for the organization’s leader, Cindy Connelly, who is retiring.
The online exhibit is one way the organization has made changes in reaction to the state and county’s stay-at-home restrictions.
Ab’strakt runs through the end of April and features 20 abstract works by eight artists: Umayal Annamalai, Beril Cakir, Patty Dawson-Elli, Janet Dyer, Susan Hannon, Hans Krause, Michelle Levi and Olga Sam.
A photograph of each work is accompanied by the dimensions and links to the artist’s profile and social media. Options to purchase the artwork are available too. Viewers are encouraged to email comments and questions to the artist and CAL.
Dukes hopes to continue offering virtual exhibits and adding more artists to each show.
Finding beauty
Patty Dawson-Elli has been a CAL member for more than a year and has two acrylic paintings in the Ab’strakt exhibit. She likes how the virtual exhibit gives her and the other artists exposure and removes any intimidation someone might feel about walking into an art gallery.
“We all have to admit, it’s a hard time for people to be buying anything other than toilet paper and food,” Dawson-Elli said. “I think (virtual exhibits are) a direction Charlotte Art League would have gone anyway with more time. This gave them the impetus to get there quicker. It’s not all about us selling art when people are out of work and having to buy food for their families. The enjoyment, the experience is bringing a little bit of pleasure during this hard time.”
The Ab’strakt exhibit is listed with other virtual cultural experiences on the Arts & Science Council website. ASC provides operating support for CAL.
“The virtual exhibit is providing visual artists the opportunity to keep selling their work,” said Liz Fitzgerald, ASC program director, grants and services.
“Gallery and exhibition closings have significantly impacted critical income for the freelance artist community in Charlotte,” she said. “Further, the exhibit gives Charlotte an outlet to continue to connect, to find beauty, empathy, and common ground. Many of us are leaning on artists to help alleviate our sense of loneliness during this time of isolation. The exhibit allows us to both appreciate and invest in the gift of local creatives.”
Meet artists virtually
CAL’s newest program, “The Weekly Featured Artist,” started this week. It includes live demonstrations on Facebook with CAL artists. The community learns about the artist’s story and views their studios and work. It’s a chance to “pull back the curtain and find out what’s their why,” Dukes said.
On Earth Day, Amy Hughes and Erin Morse introduced the organization’s newest fundraising project, The Giving Tree. Donations will be used for CAL classes and workshops for veterans, older adults and trauma survivors.
“The Giving Tree is a project that was conceived in February of 2020 as a fundraising idea for upcoming healing art programs at Charlotte Art League,” Dukes said. “The Giving Tree will sprout inside Charlotte Art League on Earth Day 2020 as a papier-mache sapling surrounded by rocks from (Amy Hughes’) #704kindnessrocksproject.”
To follow stay-at-home restrictions, Morse will build the tree in pieces at home, recording her progress. Eventually, it will be a two-story sculpture inside CAL with colorful leaves and lights.
Donors and the public can follow its growth and watch a video interview with the artists on Facebook. Hughes will create the painted rocks, which will be available for a donation once the stay-at-home order is lifted.
“Supporters will be able to be part of the tree through their donation in a unique way,” Dukes said. “During the online donation process, you will upload a photo of yourself, your family, your pet, or whatever you like, and the image will be incorporated in the final layer of papier-mache, in essence making this a family tree of those generous individuals who helped us grow.”
Virtual Art Exhibit
What: Charlotte Art League’s online exhibit of 20 works by eight local artists.
When: Anytime online
Where: https://www.charlotteartleague.org/abstrakt-virtual-exhibt/
Cost: Free
Related activity: CAL suggests adults and children view the virtual exhibit then research abstract art. Study the history behind the style and learn about famous artists. Then, gather materials around the house and yard and make your own abstract art. Photograph it and post it on Facebook and Instagram. Tag it @charlotteartleague.
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This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 10:43 AM.