Shiny and glittering out of the corner of my eye, this large piece of public art is placed near the…read morefront of the Valerie C Woodward Center facility that houses a number of Charlotte-Mecklenburg city/county offices. From the artist's website, "Pillars of Dreams... makes a soft landing in a field of quiet moments and curious interactions. Open columns drop down from the floating canopy into a field of seating, open paths for wandering, and unbounded spaces for self-assembly. More than an idiosyncratic space for individual discovery, Pillars of Dreams establishes a public agora for visitors and employees at this important community interface between local government and Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents." The caption points out that the artist is Marc Fornes and it is powder-coated aluminum with stainless-steel rivets making up some 3564 parts and 54,000 rivets. Step into and under the center of this public art for a moment. The artist has put openings into the aluminum skin that let some light in. It reflects off the pieces and makes for a pretty sight. Shadows, projected and reflected light in the space below are lovely. Check it out when you're in the area. [Review 13437 overall, 756 of 2020.]

This is a very unique and pretty art installation. I wasn't sure exactly where to go and Apple Maps…read morearen't that helpful what you want to do is go to the front of the building and then turn right. It is on the right side of the building easily accessible if you are coming from the front. Make sure to go close up and look from underneath to see the wide array of colors.

Almost passed right by it -- it looks like an unsuspecting alleyway but fear not! The murals were…read moreBEAUTIFUL and I so appreciate when cities make an effort to incorporate more art into its streets

Great to walk through and read about the installations! Beautiful and free street art. Awesome…read morephoto opportunities and lots of hidden treasures. :)

Located at the main entrance to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, this Crown sculpture…read moreis the eye-catching front door to one of the busiest airports in the world. That said, Charlotte is busy because it's a connecting airport. The greater majority of the passengers being served here are coming from somewhere else and going somewhere else. There aren't a whole lot of originating passengers at CLT that are going to drive past this sculpture. Still, it's pretty darned neat. Installed in 2020, the points of the crown are sharp and slick. They speak to the sleek and polished updates - $2.5 billion - that have recently been spent on airport improvements including a redesigned arrivals pick up and departures drop off lanes with a lovely scooped roof, the new concourses in Terminal A and the construction of a new airport control tower that is the second tallest in the southeast (after ATL). So yeah, this crown for the city we call the Queen City is appropriate and worth checking out. There is a sidewalk but it's not really a space for pedestrians so use caution. [Review 1738 of 2024 - 3668 in North Carolina - 22761 overall]

A project funded by the City of Charlotte's Public Art Ordinance, Tapestry is the work of…read moreKentucky-based artist Douwe Blumberg. It stands in the roundabout on Berryhill Road and you absolutely can't miss it. What you can miss is the shape. It's a face but you have to catch it at the correct angle. "'Tapestry' is intended to communicate the value and beauty of diversity in community. Many diverse segments come together to create a harmonious and vibrant unity of image," Blumberg says in his artist statement. Blumberg crafted the 20 foot tall piece from welded aluminum and magnesium alloy. [Review 298 of 2024 - 3554 in North Carolina - 21332 overall.]

Good to see them, giraffes are my favorite animal..... They…read moreare very unique. very tall, just like real giraffes, glad we have them in Charlotte

Up against the tall building in South End, these two giraffes look a bit out of place. What are…read moresteel sculptures of an African animal doing in Charlotte? It turns out that there are stories and that's okay. Feel free to make up your own. One of the giraffes appears to be stretching its long neck, looking outward. The other is stooped low, giving the appearance of grazing. I think they look very neat. It appears that they were designed by Ben Parrish of Steel Design Studios and are here as public art in front of this mixed use tower. I like art. [Review 16925 overall - 3248 in North Carolina - 441 of 2022.]

If you've headed to the airport from Billy Graham Parkway, you've seen the large metal art…read morestructure at the turnoff for Josh Birmingham. It's called "Ascendus" and it has been here since 2012. Sixty feet tall and 25 feet wide, it is lit by 54 separate LED floodlights after dark. It's definitely a landmark. Shaped to emulate the spirit of flight looking like planes or a bird taking off. Amazingly, it only cost $381,000 and was paid for out of the city of Charlotte's arts budget. [Review 9951 overall, 1531 of 2018.]

Recently ranked as one of the Top 50 artworks built in 2018, this interesting display is made up of…read more5.768 individual pieces and climbs 8 feet tall around Southwest and Southeast corners of the new Stonewall Station Parking garage. It's not a great spot to enjoy unless you are headed into Uptown on Caldwell Street. I had to park on the 277 onramp and hope not to get a ticket as I took my pictures and tried to appreciate the artwork. The piece is suspended as a one continuous piece without the use of a secondary support system. According to information I found online, "The 16-inch deep directional folds across the structural skin borrows from the concept of nappe--a geological term relating to both the movement and form that creates the earth's peaks and valleys over their tectonic history. A dynamic cultural asset for the City of Charlotte, Wanderwall celebrates the spirit of growth and discovery." Worth a stop to check it out. [Review 11551 overall, 1331 of 2019.]

Clanton is a busy cross-street, joining South Blvd with South Tryon and there is an exit/entrance…read moreto I-77. This mural on the wall of State of Confusion (Ceviche - wood fire grills - ice cold beer) get seen by quite a lot of people driving past. It is by artist Nick Napoletano. Layers of images here with the eyes and nose of a face, a family, a father and daughter, there's a lot going on here and you can spend a good while enjoying the art. The artist's statement is "This piece is meant to challenge us to continue to find home. To try and show us all amidst the turmoil and polarity what really matters. To see the soul that resides in every human being and remind us that we were all children once." [Review 183 of 2025 - 4090 in North Carolina - 23747 overall]

"Daughters" is a mural by street artist Nick Napoletano. It presents seven portraits of real women…read more This group of women is racially diverse and LGBTQ inclusive. Napoletano has murals all over South End, the Elizabeth and Midtown areas, Optimist Park, and NoDa. His realistic portraits are a hallmark of his style along with often highlighting social causes and celebrating beauty. I have reviewed a couple of them. Napoletano's realistic pictures along the side of this very visible building depict mankind. The plain background with restricted colors allows you to concentrate on the pictures' remarkable qualities. The modeling and shading of each face is precise and viewers can enjoy the many distinct hues of color displayed in each face. From the artist, "A marker of successful public art in my eyes is work that functions as a mirror, identifying a truth about the world we live in while paving the way for the future we want to create." The artwork is visible after you exit I-277 and turn towards NoDa on North Tryon. There is room to stop and admire it. [Review 507 of 2025 - 4109 in North Carolina - 24069 overall]