Artful: What to do and see in Charlotte
Each week, Lia Newman and Grace Cote offer Observer readers a to-do list on immersing yourself in visual arts around town. Newman is director/curator of the Van Every/Smith Galleries at Davidson College. Cote is senior coordinator at Jerald Melberg Gallery, and they collaborate on the blog HappeningsCLT (happeningsCLT.com).
What to do
Culture Initiative, the brainchild of Joel Tracey, hosts its latest Art Social Jan. 14. Hosted at Haylo Healing Arts Lounge, this event boasts no agenda – just like-minded artists enjoying great conversation. Contribute your voice, 6:30-9 p.m.
Where to go
The Bechtler premiers “Bechtler By Night” 5-9 p.m. Jan. 15: Complimentary gallery tours, in partnership with Bank of America, will take place every third Friday of the month through July. (Admittedly, we had hoped it would be on Wednesdays, creating a Wednesday Art Night that would feature all three Levine Center for the Arts institutions, but this will also help make the arts more accessible in Charlotte.)
Who to meet
Miami-based artist Carlos Estévez at the reception for “Soulcatcher,” his solo exhibition at Latin American Contemporary Art Projects (LaCa). The reception takes place 6-9 p.m. Jan. 14 (don’t worry – you can squeeze in both the Culture Initiative event and this one!). Lucky for us, because of a collaboration between LaCa and McColl Center for Art + Innovation, we will have several opportunities to meet Estévez and see his work develop over the coming months. He is the Carolinas Healthcare artist in residence at McColl and will work in a studio there through May 3. (Upcoming events at the McColl include an Artist Talk Jan. 21; Open House Jan. 22; and Open Studio Saturday Feb. 13.)
This story was originally published January 9, 2016 at 9:25 PM with the headline "Artful: What to do and see in Charlotte."