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THIS CHARLOTTE ARTIST WANTS TO FOSTER INCLUSIVE DIALOGUE THROUGH LEVINE MUSEUM MURALS
October 5, 2020
Two years ago, a pair of Davidson College students were accused of posting racist and anti-Semitic comments, which led to calls for change from the campus community. For artist and 2020 Davidson College graduate Makayla Binter, it wasn’t enough.
A Charlotte resident, Binter was tired of hearing familiar rhetoric after any type of racial or hate-infused incident.
“The same student leaders coming up to the microphone saying how tired they were,” said Binter, 22. “The same student leaders saying we need change; we need action. It’s stuff I’ve heard before but never actually seen put into place.”
KIPLIN AUTOMOTIVE COLLECTIVE MURALS
July 24, 2020
Kiplin Automotive Group is using their space to spread a message of unity, while also calling for change. The used-car dealership located at 3515 Brookshire Boulevard began transforming the walls at the edge of their lot in June when artist Abstract Dissent painted the face of George Floyd inside the word change. Two more murals were added to the wall the weekend of July 18.
WESTEND MURAL
July 16, 2020
West Charlotte residents are using art as a form of healing.
The oppression and divestment of Black communities is not a new phenomenon in this country. They continue to push forward, despite a lack of resources. In the wake of tragedy in their community when a mass shooting killed Jamaa Cassell, Christopher Gleaton, Kelly Miller and Dairyon Stevenson in June, artists have come together to create a second mural on Beatties Ford Road.
The community put out a call for artists to honor the deceased, and the response has resulted in two murals: “Beatties Ford Strong” next to Niki’s Food Shop at 2200 Beatties Ford Road and “West End” at 2020 Beatties Ford Road.
LEVINE MUSEUM MURAL PANEL PROJECT
November 11, 2028
Makayla Binter created the Mural Panel Project as a way to address social inequality.
The interactive mural began on the campus of Davidson College in response to anti-Semitic tweets by two Davidson students that supported the Ku Klux Klan in the fall of 2018. Binter turned to art as a means of encouraging conversation around topics impacting the Davidson community, such as racism, colorism, homophobia and classism. Two years later, she installed the same four stand-alone panels on the steps of the Levine Museum of the New South facing 7th Street, which will remain on view for several weeks.
DAVIDSON WEIGHT ROOM MURAL
July 18, 2020
Makayla Binter and fellow artist, Frankie Zombie are transforming Davidson College's athletics weight room. Together, the Davidson College alumna and former track and field athlete graduated in the spring, but she is back on campus this semester to tackle a 126-foot mural.
CHARLOTTE UNVEILED THE NEXT STAGE OF ITS CORRIDORS OF OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM.
November 12, 2020
West Boulevard is the second of six corridors where city officials seek to address gaps in infrastructure, workforce, transportation, housing and code enforcement, business development, public safety and urban design. Corridors of Opportunity, a $24.5 million investment, kicked off in September with announcements for planned development along the Beatties Ford Road corridor. The others are Central Avenue/Albemarle, Freedom Drive/Wilkinson Boulevard, Graham Street/North Tryon Street, as well as Sugar Creek Road/Interstate 85.
AT CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS IS A LESSON IN MULTICULTURALISM
AT CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS IS A LESSON IN MULTICULTURALISM
November 6, 2020
The school embraces a broader understanding of art, incorporating in its curriculum more artists of color and female artists.
