Start at Thomas Avenue Seating Plaza
Location: At the intersection of Thomas Avenue and Central Avenue
Artist: Ruth Ava Lyons and Paul Sires
Date:
Media: Mosaic tile and terracotta
Artists Info: @ruthavalyonsart, www.jpaulsires.com
Story: Thank goodness for good memories! Information was hard to find on this older project (since it was before social media…) but artists Paul Sires and Ruth Ava Lyons remembered a lot about the project they completed some years ago. The sculptures and seating area were commissioned by the Plaza Midwood Development Partners and the City of Charlotte. For the house, glass tesserae are set on a hand cast concrete and steel structure. The granite for the benches came from a NC quarry. And the terracotta capital sculpture has hand carved symbols.
Key Formal Elements:
- Installation
- Texture
Make the Connection:
So many symbols. The tree on the house connects to the pride of Plaza Midwood residents in their beautiful tree canopy. The hand “represents the power to hold positivity and creativity as a beacon that welcomes diversity” and you will find mill symbols on the capital sculpture. There’s also a time capsule filled with material from residents! What three items would you put in a time capsule today?
Look at side wall of Coultrane's
Location: 1516 Central Avenue wall of the Coultrane’s Char Grill
Artists: Matt Hooker, Matt Moore
Date: 2017
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @hookermedia, @puckmcgruff
Story: Matt Hooker and Matt Moore are icons of the Charlotte mural world. Here, the artists celebrate the diversity and eclectic quality of the Plaza Midwood neighborhood with themes of fantasy, children, magic, and animals.
Key Formal Elements:
- Variety rules this post-modern collage
- Polychromatic color scheme
Make the Connection:
Can you make out the letters on the left of the mural and figure out what they spell? What is one object in the mural that relates to the theme of families and children? How is the idea of creativity or transformation expressed by the artists in the mural?
Peek around corner into the parking lot
Location: 1510 Central Avenue back wall in the parking lot at corner of Central Avenue and Thomas Avenue
Artists: Matt Hooker, Matt Moore, Nick Napoletano
Date: 2016
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @hookermedia, @puckmcgruff, @napoletanoart
Story: Large wall mural features a portrait of Brandy Alexander, a celebrated North Carolina drag queen, and uses her image to create awareness around the HB2 conflict and discrimination against the LGBT community.
Key Formal Elements:
- Modeling or shading makes the face look three-dimensional
- Floating necklace creates a sense of implied motion in contrast to her intense stare and solid stance
Make the Connection:
The use of iconography or symbols in this artwork is important. Who is Pat McCrory and what was his role in Charlotte? Why is his portrait delicately included in the cameo earrings? How does the gender-neutral charm at the end of the pearl necklace relate to the HB2 issue? What may be the significance of the breaking shackles?
Head back to Thomas and Central and cross Central
Location: 1301 Thomas Avenue
Artist: Dakotah Aiyanna
Date: 2020
Media: Acrylic Paint
Artist Info: @dakotahaiyanna
Story: The City of Charlotte loves murals. Their Urban Design Center and the Office of Sustainability are supporting local artists and filling Charlotte’s streets with murals this summer. Artists from the City’s Placemaking Artist Pool are installing street murals that capture the impact of COVID – 19 and the resiliency and sustainability of our city.
Key Formal Elements:
- Focal point of the pink flower
- Cool colors of the blues and greens mix with the warm reds
Make the Connection:
For multidisciplinary artist Aiyanna, COVID was a time for introspection and more time for connecting with nature. In this street mural, she borrows a version of the iconic “You can do it” imagery but replaces a head for a flower. Perhaps her message is that if we remove our ego and become closer to nature our strength will grow.
Walk one block toward uptown
Location: 1429 Central Avenue on side wall of The Nook apartment building
Artists: Matt Hooker, Matt Moore witjh Tucker Sward
Date: 2017
Media: Acrylic Paint
Artist Info: @hookermedia, @puckmcgruff
Story: This massive mural on the side of an apartment building greets you with the formidable figure of Poseidon, the god of the sea in ancient Greek mythology.
Key Formal Elements:
- Primary color of blue on the left and primary color of red on the right meet in the middle and merge into purple tones
- Scale matters
Make the Connection:
The artists speak about using the primary colors of red and blue in a symbolic way. In their mural, the red and the blue combine to form purple. How might this be symbolic of the divided political environment of today? Also, the use of Poseidon from the ancient Greeks brings some relevance to a 2500-year-old culture. Why make that connection? What does that say about our culture today?
Walk down side of building to the right
Location: 1319 Pecan Avenue on side wall of Providence Auto Service
Artist: Nick Napoletano
Date: 2017
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @napoletanoart
Story: This 250-foot wall mural starts on the far-right side of the building closest to Pecan and features a small girl holding a rod with fishing line. Follow the line to the left, and turn the corner to see the catch.
Key Formal Elements:
- Blue concentric circles create the illusion of movement in the water
- Line leads your eye to the surprising catch
Make the Connection:
Stand on the water bubble floating in the parking lot to see the perspective and optical illusion that make you question what is real.
Walk through parking lots to alley behind Midwood Smokehouse
Location: 1401 Central Avenue on the back wall of the alley behind Midwood Smokehouse
Artist: Desism KTC-MPC
Date: 2016
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @thedesism
Story: Superheroes are the subject matter of this mural covering the wall that hides the trash collection areas for the restaurant.
Key Formal Elements:
- Outline – heavy use of line in the figure of Spiderman
- Polychromatic color scheme
Make the Connection:
Spiderman, Captain America, Ironman and other superheroes are the subject matter of this mural. Even Moms are depicted as superheroes. The owner of this business turned a potentially unattractive garbage collection area into an opportunity to showcase art. On your walk, see if you can imagine other spaces that could benefit from an artistic intervention.
Follow Central to Pecan intersection, Walk down Pecan
Location: 1500 Central Avenue side wall and back wall on the electrical boxes
Artists: Wall Poems of Charlotte, Graham Carew, The Mural Shop
Date: 2016
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @wallpoems, @muralshop, @grahamcarew
Story: Wall Poems of Charlotte is an effort to integrate poetry into urban areas of the city. The organization has completed over a dozen installations featuring the work of North Carolina poets. “Love Comes Quietly” is a poem by Robert Creeley, an influential American poet associated with the Black Mountain Poets.
Key Formal Elements:
- Notice the asymmetrical balance of the text and the mural
Make the Connection:
Creeley was known for the emotions in his poetry. What emotions do you feel when you read his poem and see the art that accompanies it? How does the emotional quality of his work fit into the artwork’s surroundings? Also don’t forget to walk around the building to the Central Avenue side and look up to see the other part of the work.
Peek down alley beside Snug Harbor
Location: 1228 Gordon Street on the side wall of Snug Harbor
Artist: Shurkin
Date: 2014
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @themuralshop
Story: This large wall mural draws upon the timeless story of the Sirens in the Odyssey. A sailor is tied to the mast of his ship so that he cannot follow the call of the Sirens in the ancient Greek poem.
Key Formal Elements:
- Large wooden boat is focal point for the image
- Visual texture in the mountain, sky, and sides of the boat
Make the Connection:
Snug Harbor can sometimes refer to a safe or comfortable place. How does the story of the sailor resisting the charms of the Sirens refer to this business’s sense of place?
Walk back out to Pecan Avenue, turn left
Location: 1212 Pecan Avenue, the former Peculiar Rabbit Restaurant
Artists: Mike Wirth, Dustin Moates
Date: 2018
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @southerntigercollective
Story: Large, outdoor, story and a half mural on the side of a popular restaurant features a friendly rabbit inviting you in for a drink.
Key Formal Elements:
- Primary colors of red, blue, and yellow
- Strong use of outline in the figure of the rabbit
Make the Connection:
Check out the swirls and movement in the blue and yellow background of the artwork. The artists use the famous Vincent Van Gogh painting “Starry Night” for inspiration. According to Google Art, there are more searches for “Starry Night” than for any other painting. What is your favorite painting?
Continue walking along Pecan Avenue
Location: 1801 Commonwealth Avenue
Artist: Ashley Graham
Date: 2018
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @grahamarts
Story: Playful, fun monkeys and luscious fruit flow around two sides of the Smooth Monkey smoothie shop.
Key Formal Elements:
- Highlights present on the fruit
- Warm colors of the bananas and the oranges contrasts with the cool colors of the blueberries and raspberries
Make the Connection:
Notice how the monkeys are rendered in a greyscale, or the use of only black and white. Think about how that choice by the artist impacts how you encounter the other parts of the composition.
Cross Commonwealth, Look for Okra Yoga
Location: 1912 Commonwealth Avenue, side wall of Okra Charlotte yoga studio.
Artists:
Date: 2018
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @dr.rickamortis, @you_are_jah
Story: The artists created a mural with the quote, “Before I die, I will live” on one side and a meditating seated figure on the other.
Key Formal Elements:
- Symmetrical balance of the seated figure in the circle
- Line – traditional use of outline in letters along the side
Make the Connection:
The meditative figure is cleverly arranged around a pipe on the exterior on the building. The locations of the seven chakras of the body are depicted vertically down the pipe. Chakras are various points in the body used in ancient meditation practices. What other imagery connects this piece to the yoga studio and wellness center?
Cross Commonwealth at Thomas, continue on Commonwealth
Location: 2007 Commonwealth Avenue
Artist: Mike Wirth
Date: 2019
Media: Acrylic paint
Artists Info: @mikewirth, with @the_wizard_jeffries
Story: After the unexpected death of much-loved patron Jon-O, the Common Market asked artist Mike Wirth to paint a mural as a way to honor his memory and offer healing to his friends and community. Wirth reached out to a friend of Jon-Os and with the help of James, many who knew Jon-O were able to help with the mural.
Key Formal Elements:
- Symmetrical balance
- Grey scale of the figure
Make the Connection:
The life of Jon-O is celebrated in this full spectrum of color mural. From left to right, the colors create a rainbow of love. Unique aspects of the life of Jon-O from playing chess and cards to some of his frequent sayings floating in the paisley shapes, allow friends and family to remember his exuberant life.
Walk to Plaza and Commonwealth corner, turn left
Location: 1201 The Plaza
Artist: Christine Dryden
Date: 2019
Media: Printed vinyl
Artist Info: @christinedryden.art
Story: Through a Placemaking Grant from the City of Charlotte, the Plaza Midwood Neighborhood Association sponsored eight artists to cover traffic signal boxes in the neighborhood. Like the Amplify Charlotte project by Laurie Smithwick in South End, the signal wrap project takes utilitarian boxes and turns them into art. Beauty meets function!
Key Formal Elements:
- Polychromatic colors
- Abstract
Make the Connection:
Artist Christine Dryden uses a project with her students at Chantilly Montessori School as inspiration for her art. The collage project created images of Charlotte landmarks in the style of Eric Carle, the illustrator of the famous children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Can you find a favorite place for pizza in the neighborhood, Fuel Pizza?
Look to your left
Location: 1217 The Plaza, side wall of the former Sushi Guru restaurant
Artist: Darion Fleming
Date: 2018
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @da.flemingo
Story: On a large side wall of the restaurant, a massive fish entices you to dinner.
Key Formal Elements:
- Color – primary colors of red and blue make up the fish
- Space – Lack of negative space brings the fish to the forefront
Make the Connection:
The artist creates a humorous connection to the type of restaurant formerly located in the building. How specifically does he design the fish?
Walk to light, cross to the Harris Teeter
Location: 1704 Central Avenue
Artist: Tom Thoune
Date: 2013
Media: Mosaic tile
Artist Info: @tom_thoune
Story: This was the site of the original grocery store opened by W.T. Harris in 1936. This store was the first full-service supermarket, first air-conditioned store, and the first to stay open until 9 pm on a Friday. So many innovations! Harris merged with Teeter Food Market in 1960 to form Harris Teeter. Industrial art deco building design is featured as a connection to existing art deco buildings along the Central Avenue corridor.
Key Formal Elements:
- Texture
Make the Connection:
Artist Tom Thoune gathered pottery pieces from community members to make his mosaic medallions along the sides of the building. Each of the seven medallions references a different part of the grocery store. Make sure you see the bike racks designed by Shaun Cassidy for a nice art deco touch!
Cross The Plaza again at light, walk down Central
Location: 1600 Central Ave on front wall of Pizza Peel
Artist: Darion Fleming
Date: 2018
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @da.flemingo
Story: This mural is a part of the 2018 Talking Walls Festival, a week-long celebration of murals and street arts. During @talkingwallscharlotte, 16 artists live-painted murals across the city. Local business sponsors supported the effort and the artists with walls to paint.
Key Formal Elements:
- Outline and contour lines in the skeleton
- Limited palette – warm colors and the use of black and white
Make the Connection:
Darion Fleming is a young, talented artist who got his first start relatively recently designing cans of beer for local breweries. He quickly moved to a much larger scale designing walls for Catawba Brewery and Divine Barrel. With his two major murals in Plaza-Midwood, he’s exploring subject matter of animals but with a twist. In his mural at Sushi Guru he slices his fish. Here he shows the viewer the body of the snake but allows his snake to escape out of the frame of his mural. Does this heighten the awareness of this slithering snake or merely seem like a design decision? Or both?
Check out other side of Pizza Peel
Location: 1600 Central Avenue
Artist: Niki Zarrabi
Date: 2019
Media: Acrylic paint
Artist Info: @nikizarrabi
Story: Atlanta-based Niki Zarrabi painted this mural for Talking Walls 2019. Zarrabi, an Iranian-American mixed-media artist, works in both a smaller studio scale and very large outdoor mural projects.
Key Formal Elements:
- Green and reddish-pink hues work as complements
- Organic shapes
Make the Connection:
Zarrabi explores a type of vanitas or imagery that suggests the fragile and fleeting quality of life. She is also interested in portraying power in typically feminine images. What details of the mural suggest the idea of the transience of life? How does the artist use feminine subject matter to suggest power?