SouthPark Mall is leaning into its fifth decade with the confidence and goals of a young adult ready to be seen.

And she’s naming it — spelling it out, in part — with a new postcard-style mural that says “Charlotte.” Each letter depicts various Queen City landmarks and icons, reflecting the city’s vitality and SouthPark as a part of it.

The mural greets passers-by in the newly-revitalized West Plaza anchored by Suffolk Punch Brewing. It’s a colorful piece of the mall’s recent push to expand its identity beyond a luxury retail destination. SouthPark Mall is morphing into a real contender for live music, social gatherings and entertainment in its quest to create an engaging vibe that draws people in.   

Greenville, S.C., artist Lacey Hennessey completed the mural in April. “Public art is so cool because everyone has access to it. I just love that, it’s really rewarding,” Hennessey says. Like many of us, she’s also drawn to murals as a photo backdrop to document her travels.

A fellow Charlotte artist recommended her for the SouthPark job. “They wanted it to encompass the Carolinas … everything from the sports teams, the beach, mountains, the food, entertainment.”

The mural is an extension of a community-first vision, says Holly Roberson Van Cleave, director of marketing and business development at SouthPark. “We see SouthPark Mall as a true community convener and a gathering place for shopping, dining and entertainment for Charlotteans and visitors alike.”

The mural is just one small visual cue that this Charlotte institution is looking ahead. As Hennessey says, she hopes the mural fosters a sense of pride and connection to SouthPark for everyone who sees it.  SP