The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.
– Pablo Picasso
In searching Charlotte for local art, I soon realized that knowing where to look was just as important as knowing what I was looking for.
I answered where to look at Dilworth Artisan Station, a building dedicated to providing space for working artists.
The only remaining question was just what particular style was best for our home.
The building’s owners, Dick and Bob Fuller, have found the highest calling for their 1909 factory building on E. Kingston where the street dead-ends into the light rail off South Blvd.
This old factory is now home to about 25 artists, and other creative folks, who breathe life into the building’s three stories of studios with their tall ceilings and old and creaky hardwood factory worn floors. The community paints, sculpts, and creates everyday with exotic smells that invited me to pull up a stool and join in.
Just as with all good communities, this one has plenty of diversity. Walking the gallery style halls, with the doors opening on the many working artists at their easels, I found abstracts, landscapes, figurative, and portrait painters. They joined the printmakers, Pilates studios, marketers, architects, and photographers in creating a wonderful mix for me to find anything I wanted or could imagine.
Diversity is never without challenge, however, and that is where Paul Hastings, aka Da Mayor, joins the conversation. I asked Paul how he got his interesting title and the answer was simple:
“Somebody needed to pull this group together. If creative people have anything, it’s opinions. We have meetings from time to time. Lot’s of different points of view are expressed, but after all of the discussion I try to summarize and ask for volunteers to help with different jobs. The hands shoot up and we all go to work.
“This is especially true for our two large open houses: the first Friday in May and the first Friday in December. These events can draw 500-600 visitors for the food and drink, entertainment and the opportunity to mingle with and purchase from our artists.”
On the other First Fridays some of the artist have showings. As Da Mayor says:
“Stop by any time you like, there is always something interesting, but for sure, mark the first Friday of May and December on your calendar. Those are big evenings for us – and you.”
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First Friday Gallery Crawl Gallery
Thanks to Jeff Cravotta for all the photos in this post.
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And if you and your family would like to try your hand you can don a smock, pick up a brush and get creative. Many of the artists offer group and private classes at scheduled times.
By all means, like and share the Dilworth Artisan Station Facebook Page, or visit their website, so you can keep current and meet the artists who make this wonderful community such a vital part of the fabric of South End Charlotte.
It is nice when the rare older buildings in Charlotte can find a better life. Recycling is good, reusing is better, and the BEST of all is up-cycling into a higher calling. That is what Dick and Bob Fuller have done with the Dilworth Artisan Station. The building has been up-cycled by the very art it houses.
Can you tell us of other Charlotte buildings that are now enjoying a higher calling? Do we tear down too many?
Why is a strong artist community important for any city?
Where is your favorite Gallery Crawl? Name your favorite Charlotte artist.
As always, the conversation starts here.
“In the ordinary choices of every day we begin to change the direction of our lives.”
– Eknath Easwaran
Bruce, I have been buying “stuff” and having “stuff” refinished at Crossland Studios ever since Dick & Bob opened that business.
Take a moment and go to the Pratt Fine Arts Center’s website in Seattle – http://www.pratt.org
This is a community art center near downtown Seattle and my son, Scott, is in charge of the glass program. In fact you can head out there and take a glass blowing class from him on November 8th!!!
Richard –
I have looked at the Pratt Fine Arts Center site – wow – what a wonderful facility. Charlotte needs to take a look and do the same. I know you are proud of Scott. His class for veterans is free of charge, that is wonderful and I see he teaches the advanced level glass blowing program.
We also have used Dick and Bob over the years. They have done the community a favor by finding the highest calling for their building; up-cycling is BEST.
– Bruce
Bruce: Good to know this place exists; think Charlotte has advanced so much in the past 20 or so years! Ken & I just visited the newest show to hit our area – Charlotte Contemporary, being held this week-end at the Park Expo Center…it’s a gorgeous display of 100 or so vendors from around the country, several from the Carolinas, with the most unusual venues we’ve seen since the American Craft Council held their shows here.
Faye –
Yes, Charlotte has come a long way. I believe we are on the tipping point of some fun things in our Queen City.
– Bruce
wonderfull
community is growing
larry –
Yes, our future looks bright. We need to continue to up-cycle our treasures so that all of our community is served, not just a special few.
– Bruce
Charlotte is very alive and well for arts. In addition to the Dilworth Artisan, there are many fine art galleries such as the Melberg, the Elder Gallery, Modern Art Gallery plus La Ca which is a fabulous Latino art gallery near the Open Kitchen and please don’t forget all the wonderful art at the Bechtler. We have come a long way.
Mary Lou –
Thanks for your list. There are many to choose from and many stories to tell on each. Thanks for mentioning the Open Kitchen, that is a story I have been thinking about along with all of the up-cycling in their neighborhood. If we are looking for the next NoDa or Plaza Midwood, we need to look to Westley Heights.
– Bruce