Work begins this month on MoRA’s third major public artwork “Patchwork Crosswalks.” This project is a series of four crosswalk murals that will further connect the MoRA community, and continue to redefine the area through art installations along Monroe Road. These pieces will reflect the experiences and cultural backgrounds of the people who live and work here.
The new crosswalks will add to the cultural landscape of Monroe Road area while making it safer for pedestrians as they explore the community. Slated for installation in Fall 2021, the public artwork will connect three different intersections along Monroe Road.
The map above highlights the focus area for Monroe Road Advocates.
The first will be located in Oakhurst, connecting Oakhurst STEAM Academy with the new Oakhurst on Monroe retail development via Chippendale Drive; the second will link the Embrace Sculpture (see below) with Independence Regional Library via Conference Drive; and the third and fourth will span Galleria Boulevard along both sides of Monroe Road, near Matthews.
You can help shape these new works by sharing your story with our team of artists through Nov. 30, 2020 via a variety of hands-on creative opportunities. Whether it’s in person, remotely, or online, you’re invited to be part of MoRA’s newest project. You can find those details here.
RENOWNED LOCAL ARTISTS TO LEAD PROJECT
MoRA received its second ASC Cultural Vision Grant and anticipates receiving a Neighborhood Matching Grant from the City of Charlotte to create this innovative multi-faceted initiative. The “Patchworks – East Side Art Trail,” developed in partnership with ArtWalksCLT, provides a virtual guide to public artwork in the area, as well as the creation of three original crosswalk murals.
Design and installation of MoRA’s newest public art project will be led by local mixed media artists MyLoan Dinh and Bunny Gregory. Both have been trailblazers in the Charlotte arts community and beyond.
Dinh, a former refugee from Vietnam, grew up on Charlotte’s East Side. An internationally acclaimed multi-media artist, her work often explores the connections between personal and collective history, using a variety of deconstructed materials, objects, texts and more to recreate individual narratives in a communal context. Gregory’s work is rooted in Afrocentric culture, addressing issues of racial and economic disparity often through illustration, comic book style drawings, and collage. A longtime advocate for Black artists, the Charlotte native founded the Underground in 2014 (originally located on Monroe Road!) as a space for urban poets, musicians and visual artists to express themselves.
Dinh and Gregory will be working closely with community members as they develop these new public art installations.
“The Patchwork Crosswalks are inspired by the tradition of quilt making and storytelling—threading individually unique and colorful pieces together to create a greater whole,” says Dinh. “Through this project, in concrete terms, the designs of the crosswalks will be inspired by shared stories and experiences of folks living in these neighborhoods and what community means to them. It’s not just symbolic but it is an active way to involve the culturally diverse communities in which these crosswalks will exist. We will be actively engaging individuals and families from the beginning to participate through a range of creative and free activities.”
Each crosswalk will have its own corporate sponsor. David Krug & Associates has stepped forward to sponsor the Oakhurst crosswalk. Edge City Brewery is another sponsor, and co-owner John Thomas says “Our brewery’s community participation is a large part of our identity, and being involved in this project is an exciting way to have an impact on this area.”
A BRIEF HISTORY OF PUBLIC ART IN THE AREA
The current project will join two other community-inspired public art pieces created in recent years and located in the corridor.
Thursdays Live 2019 Photo Leigh Black
EMBRACE (@ Conference Drive & Monroe Road), a spectacular 16-foot high mosaic sculpture unveiled in 2017, was the original inspiration for bringing a team of hardworking volunteers together to advocate for the area. The piece, conceived by public artist Leslie Scott, incorporates custom tiles crafted by local students and neighbors. Renowned artist Lee Baumgarten heroically stepped in to complete the project when Scott passed away suddenly, honoring her vision of creating and placing an iconic artwork, worthy of national acclaim, in a community setting. The project received funding support from individuals and businesses in the community and was also awarded a grant from ASC.
Tapestry Mural Photo Leigh Black
TAPESTRY (@ Monroe & Idlewild Roads) is a vibrant mural placed on the outer wall of a Charlotte city facility that celebrates the contributions of immigrants to the life of the city. Community conversations inspired this artwork, which weaves together traditional fabric motifs, plants and birds representing the native countries and ethnicities of residents in the area. Unveiled in late 2019, the project was funded in part by the CLT 250 Placemaking Program, in honor of the 250th anniversary of Charlotte’s founding.
“These beautiful and meaningful works of art add so much to Monroe Road,” says MoRA Board Chair Kathy Hill. “They create new landmarks in our community, a draw for visitors, and help convey the soul of our richly diverse community. I’m thrilled that we have the opportunity to expand that now through the Patchwork Crosswalks project.”
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED AS A CREATIVE PARTNER
Now through Nov. 30, 2020, there are multiple ways to get involved in Patchwork Crosswalks and share your ideas with the lead artists in person, remotely, or online. Sign up for a workshop, or pick up a free patchwork quilt kit from a Little Free Library near you.
“There’s no wrong way of doing this, actually,” says lead artist Dinh. “As long as you participate.”
For more information or questions, send an email to art@moraclt.org
– Liz Rothaus Bertrand
