Murals Build Bridges In Uptown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - June 12, 2020 - PRLog -- For the next two days, artists from Charlotte Art League (CAL) are working to visibly depict how people can build bridges of understanding in our community. Property management company Cushman and Wakefield reached out to CAL, one of the city's oldest arts institutions, to create a mural at one of their properties, 201 North Tryon Street.

"They have more than 80 windows along North Tryon and Fourth streets that have been boarded up," explains Jim Dukes, CAL's Executive Director. "We selected artist Deneer Davis to head up a team of graffiti artists and muralists who will paint the wood covering those windows with artwork that conveys non-political messages of love, light and happiness."

Dukes and Chandler Snipe, who coordinates the CAL Curates program to curate artwork for the building's lobby and is spearheading the project, reached out to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department for some special assistance. "We want to build bridges, so we wanted to get CMPD involved as well. The got several officers to come out and paint yesterday," Dukes noted.  Through Dukes' association with Mental Health America, CAL has developed a relationship with CMPD's Community Services Bureau to conduct future community-based art programs that facilitate communication between officers and residents.

The team will be working on the murals through Saturday, and media are welcome to watch the progress.

About Charlotte Art League: Founded in 1965, Charlotte Art League has served as an accessible gateway to the arts experience for art lovers of all ages and backgrounds. CAL relies on annual membership dues, studio rentals, donations, and grants to sustain its activities. Membership in CAL is open to emerging artists, professional artists, art educators, art patrons, and anyone else committed to the vital role that the arts play in building a strong, vibrant, and diverse community. More info: http://www.charlotteartleague.org