‘We represent a change’: About 100 artists create inspiring messages in uptown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The same day the “Black Lives Matter” street mural was transforming uptown, the plywood boards that were put up to protect stores from protesters who had turned violent were also being transformed into a different message entirely.

Now, what once served as a reminder of Charlotte’s dark days now delivers a different message, one of light, love and happiness.

“We want to start conversations. We want to be the vehicle for conversation in the community and art is a way to do that,” said Jim Dukes, executive director of the Charlotte Art League.

The messages aren’t political, only positive. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police even spray painted their shield on one of the plywood boards.

“If we can’t necessarily sit around the table and have these conversations that need to be had we can use art like this to listen with our eyes,” Dukes said.

Up to 100 different artists have contributed their artwork and message to this project. A project with a scope that’s hard to capture and convey through a camera lens.

“You have to be out here to see it, to see what we see especially as artists, and what we’ve seen for the past three days working on this project,” artist Deneer Davis said.

The block of Tryon Street is now equal parts memorial and celebration of the change that is barreling towards Charlotte. Packed beautifully and simply, paint over plywood.

“It’s our art. This is our city. We represent Charlotte. We represent North Carolina. We represent a change so the change starts with us as a people,” Davis said.

People who visited the artwork Saturday told Channel 9 that it was a powerful message of unity that, so many artists could come together for this singular purpose.

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