What to do and see in Charlotte
Each week, Grace Cote, Lia Newman, and Kati Stegall 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, Stegall is Art-in-Transit program administrator at the Charlotte Area Transit System, and they collaborate on the blog HappeningsCLT (happeningsCLT.com).
Where to go
The Mint Museum Uptown’s newest photography exhibition is “Here and Now: 80 years of Photography at the Mint,” opening April 16. This groundbreaking exhibition from Charlotte’s flagship museum is the first to feature only works from the Mint’s permanent collection. With more than 100 stunning images, some of which have never been shown here, this exhibit demonstrates the strength of the more traditional visual art media (as opposed to fashion and historical exhibits in recent years) within the permanent collection of the Mint.
What to do
Head to Cornelius on April 16 to see the unveiling of the town’s 2nd Annual Public Art Exhibit, “Beyond Walls.” This collection of 10 temporary works represents artists from seven states. The opening reception begins at 5:30 p.m. at Robbins Park with refreshments, kids’ activities, artist talks and a wine tasting. For more information visit the Cornelius website at www.cornelius.org/468/Public-Art.
Who to meet
Charlotte artist Natalie Abrams has created a diverse body of work: wax sculptures with intricate folds and delicate constructions of wood, paper and recycled materials. With these, she explores the complex biological and social systems that coexist in nature and in the manmade environments in which we live. Her work has been shown at Redux Contemporary Art Center in Charleston; Glass Wheel Studio in Norfolk, Va.; the Gallery at R&F Paint in Kingston, N.Y.; the City Ice Arts Building in Kansas City; and the Dairy Arts Center in Boulder, Colo. You can see her work at McColl Center for Art + Innovation’s Studio Party 16 April 16 (tickets $125-$150).
This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 3:09 PM with the headline "What to do and see in Charlotte."