‘Unfortunate’ misunderstanding covers up Charlotte mural’s message, artist says
A freshly painted mural with a message of peace and a call for an end to gun violence was painted over this week due to what the artist and an east Charlotte business owner say was a misunderstanding.
Kyle Holbrook painted “Peace Charlotte,” a large hand making a peace sign, on the side of a Parkwood Avenue convenience store on Sunday. An unveiling had been planned for Thursday.
Holbrook is a muralist with Moving the Lives of Kids Community Mural Project, and he is on a mission to paint anti-gun violence messages across the country.
He hoped “Peace Charlotte” would serve as a place of healing for victims of gun violence, Holbrook told The Charlotte Observer on Thursday. An intern with the mural project called Parkwood Food Mart and received an owner’s permission to paint, he said.
However, one of the owners, Yeti, told the Observer that Holbrook did not obtain permission. It was painted over this week.
Yeti, who declined to give her last name, said she and her brother were shocked to see someone painting on their wall.
Yeti said she understands the message is about peace and doesn’t disagree with it, but she didn’t understand why Holbrook chose her and her brother’s business. They weren’t told the meaning of the mural before painting over it, she said.
Holbrook said that as he painted the mural, an employee asked what he was doing but didn’t tell him to stop.
“It’s really unfortunate,” he said.
Holbrook said this hasn’t happened to his murals before. He learned the Charlotte piece had been painted over on Thursday, after news outlets showed up to showcase the art.
It is unclear whether the mural will be repainted. Holbrook asked and Yeti said she would consult her brother.
Earlier this year, a popular mural in NoDA, “bloom,” was mistakenly painted over. It has since been replaced by a new version of the mural.
This story was originally published September 2, 2022 at 6:30 AM.
