McColl Center

Jen Clay is currently an artist in residence at The McColl Center and I stumbled upon two of her works recently. Here’s a link to a brief experimental ekphrastic sketch I wrote about them. https://lnkd.in/e8YxSmJi

We are grateful to Sonya Pfeiffer for bringing through a group from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers to hear about our Creative Activism Residency in partnership with SE CLT Gallery. The residency seeks to honor the legacy of John O. Calmore, a pioneering figure who, after excelling at Stanford University and Harvard Law School, dedicated his life to combating racial injustice and poverty through both legal practice and academia. Attendees had a chance to see artwork from our Inaugural Artist-in-Residence Balam Bartolomé and hear about his process and perspective. "Artists have a unique ability to see, and explain, and ignite change. That's what this residency is about and it couldn't be a better time it for than today," said Sonya. Applications are currently open for the next John O. Calmore Residency position. We are seeking citizen-artists who are dedicated to addressing social justice issues through their creative practice. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eCqWrAR9

McColl Center is proud to partner with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools through their E3 (Exposure, Experience, Education) Program to bring professional artists directly into classrooms. Through this initiative, students across six schools are learning new artistic mediums and techniques. That’s hundreds of young artists building confidence, critical thinking, and creative expression! Already this year, students from Elon Park Elementary, Highland Renaissance Academy, and Chantilly Montessori have experimented with mono-printing and sculpture, creating stellar works of art. There’s more to come with University Park Creative Arts, Bailey Middle, and Druid Hills Academy! The students’ completed works will be displayed in McColl Center’s Hub Hallway, celebrating their talent and hard work.

The 5th Annual Benefit Art Auction was our best one yet! Thanks to your generosity, we made a huge impact. Your support fuels artist-focused programs, professional development, and transformative opportunities for creatives. This year’s auction was made possible by our incredible sponsors: Campania Fine Moulding,?Foster's Frame and Art Gallery,?Selah Art Advisory,?3 Keys Wine Distributing,?Queen City Magazine, Higgins & Owens, PLLC,?EchoPark Automotive,?The Brooklyn Collective,?KPMG US,?Arcadia Art Consultancy, and?SOCO Gallery. A special thank you to all the bidders and paddle raisers! Not only did you help raise vital funds for our mission, over $35,000 went directly into the hands of artists. Beautiful photos from?Ernesto Moreno Photography.

Wonderful weekend @mccollcenter. This year’s Benefit Art Auction was a big success. Thank you to all of the artists, sponsors, patrons, and the community at large for supporting our work and for making this a night to remember.?

The works of art presented by the artists in Sovereign: Honoring Bodily Autonomy must be experienced in person! Mark your calendars now for the opening on March 6.

There are over 50 artists in this upcoming exhibition, opening March 6, and we can't wait for you to see how curator Meredith Connelly weaves it all together.

As we reflect on the past 25 years, we are excited to spotlight multidisciplinary artist and McColl Center alumnus Carlos Estevez. Estévez pulls back the veil separating us from the secret realms lying beneath our reality. He weaves his dreams into his surreal work, encouraging us to look within and reflect.?? ? “The source of my work is the human existence,” Estévez says. “My process is similar to the process of alchemists. They were looking for the formula to make gold, and what they found instead was knowledge. My goal is to find knowledge through art.”? ? During his residency at McColl Center in 2016, Estévez created over 200 painted ceramic works. In these pieces, he explored the connection between ordinary human existence and spiritual transcendence by creating utilitarian objects, such as dinner plates, and painting onto them dreamlike creatures he interprets as representations of the human spirit.?? ? “It’s definitely a charming place,” Estévez says when describing the former church housing McColl Center, “full of ghosts and spirits that do not rest. From the very beginning, I connected with that energy and it was my source of inspiration through the magic of fire. The ovens and their alchemy took care of the rest to keep me emerged in experimentation throughout the whole residency.”? ? Join us on February 22 for the Live Auction portion of the Benefit Art Auction, where you’ll have the chance to own a beautiful artwork by Estévez and contribute to our mission of championing contemporary artists.? ? Want to learn more about Carlos? Explore farther at mccollcenter.org/25 Image: Carlos in his McColl Center studio, 2016

We hope to see you all here at McColl Center for the opening of Sovereign: Honoring Bodily Autonomy on March 6 from 6-8pm!