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Start at 3306 N. Davidson St at Salud Beer Shop
Location: 3306 N. Davidson Street side wall at Salud Beer Shop
Artist: Nico Amortegui
Date: 2012
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @nico_malo1
Story: Artist Nico Amortegui is a native of Colombia. His Abstract Expressionist style of art has parallels to several historic artists. With his emphasis on abstract figures, use of line, and incorporation of elements of graffiti, the work of Amortegui connects with that of Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Wilfredo Lam.
Key Formal Elements:
- Strong use of outline in all of the figures
- Abstract figures
Make the Connection:
Salud is the name of this popular beer shop. Salud is the Spanish word for cheers, or bless you, and is used as a toast for people raising their glasses. Cerveza is Spanish for beer. The artist includes several references to the name of the business and beer in his mural. Together the figures, the dog, and the musicians all communicate the joy of having a beer with one’s friends.
On Salud wall to the left
Title: Salud Cerveceria mural
Location: 3306 N. Davidson Street
Artist: Lisette Correa
Date: 2020
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info:@arrrtaddict
Story: This wall got a “Caribbean Ting” update! Atlanta based artist and illustrator @arrrtaddict came to Charlotte to paint a colorful, playful, positive mural for Salud. Prior to this mural, the artist designed many of the beer labels for this popular NoDa spot.
Key Formal Elements:
- Polychromatic color scheme
- Use of outline in the hand
Make the Connection:
Are you feeling the “Caribbean” vibe? The artist calls herself a “vibe creator” and she sets the vibe with her playful and random colors and patterns. Look for the blue fronds of the palm tree and the yellow and green leopard prints. Catch the #BLM tag and note the red, green, and black colors of the Pan-African or Afro-American flag to the left. And can you find the image of the hops plant (the plant from which beer is made)?
Walk down driveway, turn right, walk back to 36th St
Location: 3310 N. Davidson Street sculptures of water tower, faces, and paper airplanes at Mercury Apartments
Artist: Lauren Puckett
Date: 2016
Media: Stained glass and metal
Artist Info: glassaeroplane
Story: Artist Lauren Puckett designed three separate sculptures for this apartment complex. Look for the airplanes at the front entrance at 3310 N. Davidson Street, the water tower at the end of the driveway, and the faces along East 36th Street.
Key Formal Elements:
- Free-standing sculptures
- Primary colors used for the faces
Make the Connection:
The iconic NoDa area water tower is re-created in a smaller scale and marks a sense of place for this project. Along with the faces rendered in different colors and the planes, perhaps the artist is celebrating both the history of this place and idea of growth. How do you think the sculptures communicate this idea of history and growth?
Look at the corner for the trash receptacle
Location: At the corner of 35th Street and the Neighborhood Theatre
Artist: Evan Plante
Date: 2020
Media: Vinyl wrap
Story: NoDaRioty, the arts committee for the Historic North Charlotte Neighborhood Association, partnered with the City of Charlotte and the Neighborhood Matching Grants Program to commission artists to design existing trash receptacles. A call to artists was sent out and eight artists were chosen to produce their designs.
Key Formal Elements:
- Free-standing sculptures
- Highlights on Nina Simone's face
Make the Connection:
Eight artists and eight different designs.
Artist Evan Plante creates silkcreens of four famous musicians born in North Carolina. Be on the lookout and see if you can find all eight of the artist-designed trash cans in the business district.
On 36th Street, look up at theatre facade
Location: 511 E. 36th Street front wall of Neighborhood Theatre
Artist: William Puckett
Date: 2015
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @mr_puckett
Story: Built in 1945, the Neighborhood Theatre was originally called the Astor Theatre. Puckett is one of the first mural artists to produce substantial mural work in Charlotte. He estimates his murals cover over 30,000 square feet of Charlotte walls.
Key Formal Elements:
- Polychromatic color scheme
- Use of white outline around the animals
Make the Connection:
Puckett uses a variety of animal forms in this large, flowing, bold mural. The artist intends for this mural to represent the dynamic forces of the future and change, while preserving the past. What elements of the mural represent change to you? What elements of the mural represent the past to you?
Continue walking to corner, cross N. Davidson
Location: At the corner of 36th Street and N. Davidson Street
Artist: Torian Parker
Date: 2020
Media: Acrylic paint
Story: NoDaRioty, the arts committee for the Historic North Charlotte Neighborhood Association, partnered with the City of Charlotte and the Neighborhood Matching Grants Program to commission artists to design existing trash receptacles. A call to artists was sent out and eight artists were chosen to produce their designs.
Key Formal Elements:
- Non-objective style
- Primary colors
Make the Connection:
Eight artists and eight different designs.
Perhaps artist Torian Parker was inspired by roads and maps or maybe Mondrian, the Dutch modernist painter in the colorful and geometric design.
On Side Wall of Blind Pig
Title: Dolly Parton mural
Location: At the corner of N. Davidson and 36th
Artist: Dustin Moates
Date: 2021
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @dstnmts
Story: Long story. On the side of the Blind Pig here in NoDa, one of Charlotte’s earliest murals told a bit of NoDa history. The original mural by Rosalie Torres-Weiner was removed in early 2020 for a mural announcing the coming of the Carolina Equity Festival. Then COVID. So, in 2021, the festival organizers decided to move forward with their mural even though now the festival is scheduled for later. Painted by Dustin Moates and the Southern Tiger Collective, the mural was also sponsored by Hearts Beat as One Foundation.
Key Formal Elements:
- Asymmetrical balance
- Cool colors of blues
Make the Connection:
It’s our first Dolly Parton mural. Dolly is a big deal in case you didn’t know. And that doesn’t mean just musically. Of course, singing at the Grand Old Opry at age 13 and multiple Grammy awards in her long career make her a musical superstar. But she is also a philanthropist. Parton has long supported literacy efforts, veterans, food insecurity, and in 2020 gave $1 million to fund the Moderna COVID vaccine. Paired with the “Love is Love” quote against the backdrop of her beloved Blue Ridge Mountains, Dolly reigns on this corner.
Continue on N. Davidson
Location: 3307 N. Davidson Street mural in front of Dog Bar
Artist: Terry Hanney
Date: 2016
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: Facebook Terry Hanney and Dog Bar Dog Mural
Story: Neighborhood dogs are painted on this 60-foot fence enclosing the Dog Bar. The artist invited dog owners to bring their special loved ones for a sitting to be included in the mural.
Key Formal Elements:
- Representational details are included in each portrait
- Grid of the fence provides a natural way to organize the panels
Make the Connection:
Puppies.
Walk around the building to back of The Exchange
Location: The Exchange
Artist: Stencil Spray
Date: 2023
Media: Spray paint
Artist Info: @stencilspray
Story: Stencil Spray is one of the coolest artists around and a wonderful Instagram follow if you are up for his humor and special calling. As one of the founders of the Tough Ass Crew artist collection, he ran a gallery for local artists to show their work during COVID and after which significantly offered support to artists during that critical time.
Key Formal Elements:
- Polychromatic color scheme
Make the Connection:
Stencils - using a thin piece of plastic, or other material with a pattern cut out of it - are an important part of the mural movement and this artist has mastered the art of producing stencil designs. He uses spray paint with careful layering of stencils to create his designs. His treatment of popular culture knows no bounds so have fun looking over them all to find your favorite.
Walk toward the light rail station
Location:
Artist: Elizabeth Palmisano
Date: 2023
Media: Spray paint, acrylic paint,
Artist Info: @ellafaeart
Story: Coming soon.
Key Formal Elements:
Make the Connection:
Coming soon.
Worth the Walk - Crown Station Mural
Title: Rise, Protect, Connect
Location: 3629 N. Davidson Street at Crown Station
Artist: Treazy Treaz
Date: 2021
Media: Spray paint
Artist Info: @treazytreaz
Story: The Talking Walls mural festival came back in 2021 with a mission to “champion the diversity and vibrancy of our city through mural arts.” International artist Treazy Treaz is from Austrailia and is inspired by the powers of nature, the cosmos, and the teachings of indigenous spiritual leaders. Known internationally for his graffiti and street art, his murals with artistic partner Traveling Gypsy are uptown and along the Tryon Street corridor.
Key Formal Elements:
- Symmetrical balance of each panel
- Strong use of outline
** Photography by Brooke Brown Photography.
Make the Connection:
Treazy likes to use his artwork as a platform to transmit positive energy and offer a perspective of life that he has learned on his journey.
In these murals, Treazy invites you to welcome the spirit of each of these walls to awaken your creativity. Rise from the ashes like the phoenix, protect those you love and cherish like the jaguar, and speak your truth to stand up for what you believe in with love like the warrior. These walls were brought to life for all of the warrior spirits that are transforming this planet with peace, love and light.
A note from the artist: This trio helps activate your creative superpowers! Life is the canvas and your heart and mind are the brushes. Think about what type of world you want to live in, then go out and start fearlessly creating it!
Keep Walking
Title: Gardner-Skelton Law Firm Mural
Location: 3726 N. Davidson Street
Artist: Krystle Baller
Date: 2024
Media: Acrylic Paint
Artist Info: @krystelballer
Story: Krystle Baller nailed her first mural! Baller is a touring and recording musician (in the Charlotte band RICHARD), Creative Director at We Rock Charlotte and founder of Pachyderm Music Lab. But as a multitalented creative, Baller also creates installations, and now murals. In this inspiring mural, they worked with the client team to identify style and subject matter for this mural at the law firm’s new offices.
Key Formal Elements:
- Polychromatic color scheme
- Love the use of negative space
Make the Connection:
Who thought a mix of fictional and real lawyers could be so fun? This mural engages and surprises at every turn when you are looking for portraits of some very famous real and not-so-real lawyers. Spend some time looking for everyone's favorite TV lawyer, Perry Mason, or Elle Woods of “Legally Blonde” fame. Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Lady Liberty too!