The impact of art on our everyday lives is hard to quantify, but there’s no doubt that admiring a painting we love, taking a pottery class or attending a live performance can be mood-lifting and, sometimes, transformational.
Each month, we strive to highlight local and visiting artists, along with the museums, galleries and groups that make art accessible to all Charlotteans. Whether it’s a free local concert, a public mural or sculpture you drive past every day, or a blockbuster museum exhibit, our goal is to share the stories of the people holding the paintbrush, keeping the beat or curating the show. We believe a little knowledge goes a long way toward a greater appreciation of any art form.
Once a year, in our annual arts issue, we offer an extra dose of stories about Charlotte’s creative side. After a few quiet months, the calendar picks up again in late summer and early fall — our Fall Arts Preview offers a glimpse of what’s ahead. Contributing Editor Michael Solender shares a story about a new Novant Health initiative that recognizes the healing power of art. We also highlight an artsy way to explore one of North Carolina’s most beloved family-friendly destinations — did you know the N.C. Zoo has one of the largest public art collections in the state?
When gallery owner Judith Zehmke gets up and heads to work each day, her commute is among the shortest in town. I’ve known about her in-home gallery, Art House Charlotte, for years — many of her artists’ works have been featured in these pages. Still, until I saw it for myself, I couldn’t believe how Zehmke had transformed the “formal” areas of her SouthPark home into a bona fide art gallery. You can read more about it in Krisha Chachra’s story.
We all could use a break from the summer heat — why not pop into a local gallery or museum, sign up for a watercolor class, or secure tickets for a fall concert? Art is everywhere, if you take the time to look. SP
CATHY MARTIN
Editor
editor@southparkmagazine.com
IN THIS ISSUE:
1 – Cover story: Set stylists Stephanie Wilson and Ashley Martin
2 – The Odgen Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans
3 – A Foxcroft home designed by Shadie Copeland
4 – Faux florals that look like the real thing from Vintage Charm Charlotte
Photographs by Richard Israel, Cathy Martin, Laura Sumrak and Jonathan Cooper
