Shiny and glittering out of the corner of my eye, this large piece of public art is placed near the…read morefront of the Valerie C Woodward Center facility that houses a number of Charlotte-Mecklenburg city/county offices. From the artist's website, "Pillars of Dreams... makes a soft landing in a field of quiet moments and curious interactions. Open columns drop down from the floating canopy into a field of seating, open paths for wandering, and unbounded spaces for self-assembly. More than an idiosyncratic space for individual discovery, Pillars of Dreams establishes a public agora for visitors and employees at this important community interface between local government and Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents." The caption points out that the artist is Marc Fornes and it is powder-coated aluminum with stainless-steel rivets making up some 3564 parts and 54,000 rivets. Step into and under the center of this public art for a moment. The artist has put openings into the aluminum skin that let some light in. It reflects off the pieces and makes for a pretty sight. Shadows, projected and reflected light in the space below are lovely. Check it out when you're in the area. [Review 13437 overall, 756 of 2020.]

This is a very unique and pretty art installation. I wasn't sure exactly where to go and Apple Maps…read morearen't that helpful what you want to do is go to the front of the building and then turn right. It is on the right side of the building easily accessible if you are coming from the front. Make sure to go close up and look from underneath to see the wide array of colors.

Located in one of the more upper crust neighborhoods of a town that's already upper crust itself,…read morethis sculpture is definitely political. The statue depicts a Jesus as a homeless vagrant sleeping on a park bench. Huddled under a blanket with his face and hands obscured, only the crucifixion wounds on his uncovered feet give him away. The bronze statue was purchased for $22,000 as a memorial for a parishioner, Kate McIntyre, who loved public art. The rector of this liberal, inclusive church is the Rev. David Buck, a 65-year-old Baptist-turned-Episcopalian who seems not at all averse to the controversy, the double takes and the discussion the statue has provoked. "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me." -Matthew 25:40 [Review 13405 overall, 724 of 2020.]

This is homeless Jesus I guess they have a lot of these because we have one of these in my city…read morethat I live in. So we were downtown exploring the area we came across another homeless Jesus. I guess the meaning of this is to love everyone and just respect people no matter who or what they are.

A project funded by the City of Charlotte's Public Art Ordinance, Tapestry is the work of…read moreKentucky-based artist Douwe Blumberg. It stands in the roundabout on Berryhill Road and you absolutely can't miss it. What you can miss is the shape. It's a face but you have to catch it at the correct angle. "'Tapestry' is intended to communicate the value and beauty of diversity in community. Many diverse segments come together to create a harmonious and vibrant unity of image," Blumberg says in his artist statement. Blumberg crafted the 20 foot tall piece from welded aluminum and magnesium alloy. [Review 298 of 2024 - 3554 in North Carolina - 21332 overall.]

Located at the main entrance to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, this Crown sculpture…read moreis the eye-catching front door to one of the busiest airports in the world. That said, Charlotte is busy because it's a connecting airport. The greater majority of the passengers being served here are coming from somewhere else and going somewhere else. There aren't a whole lot of originating passengers at CLT that are going to drive past this sculpture. Still, it's pretty darned neat. Installed in 2020, the points of the crown are sharp and slick. They speak to the sleek and polished updates - $2.5 billion - that have recently been spent on airport improvements including a redesigned arrivals pick up and departures drop off lanes with a lovely scooped roof, the new concourses in Terminal A and the construction of a new airport control tower that is the second tallest in the southeast (after ATL). So yeah, this crown for the city we call the Queen City is appropriate and worth checking out. There is a sidewalk but it's not really a space for pedestrians so use caution. [Review 1738 of 2024 - 3668 in North Carolina - 22761 overall]

Standing in a quad on the campus of Queens University, this impressively large sculpture is hard to…read moremiss. It is a single stainless steel piece titled "Triple Arc I" by artist James Rosati (1911-1988). Rosati is famed for the Ideogram sculpture that stood in between the Twin Towers and was lost in the September 11 attacks. This piece is part of the Campus Art Collection thanks to the Carrie B DeWitt Foundation. It is easy to access as long as school is not in session. There is parking along Selwyn nearby. I thought it was an impressive piece and photographs well with the university buildings in the background. [Review 18067 overall - 3316 in North Carolina - 1589 of 2022.]

"Daughters" is a mural by street artist Nick Napoletano. It presents seven portraits of real women…read more This group of women is racially diverse and LGBTQ inclusive. Napoletano has murals all over South End, the Elizabeth and Midtown areas, Optimist Park, and NoDa. His realistic portraits are a hallmark of his style along with often highlighting social causes and celebrating beauty. I have reviewed a couple of them. Napoletano's realistic pictures along the side of this very visible building depict mankind. The plain background with restricted colors allows you to concentrate on the pictures' remarkable qualities. The modeling and shading of each face is precise and viewers can enjoy the many distinct hues of color displayed in each face. From the artist, "A marker of successful public art in my eyes is work that functions as a mirror, identifying a truth about the world we live in while paving the way for the future we want to create." The artwork is visible after you exit I-277 and turn towards NoDa on North Tryon. There is room to stop and admire it. [Review 507 of 2025 - 4109 in North Carolina - 24069 overall]

Dedicated on Veterans Day, 2011, the Veterans Monument pays tribute and remembrance of those who…read morehave served the United States. With six marble towers each dedicated to one of the branches of armed forces, there is also a polished wall that is inscribed with the names of over 1100 veterans living or deceased that are or were Cornelius residents. At the top of the monument, there is a six-foot tall likeness of Corporateal Jerry K. Crump on a granite base. Corporal Crump received both the Purple Heart and the Congressional Medal of Honor. There is a brief description of his heroic actions at the base. There is free parking across the street and a crosswalk. [Review 12627 overall, 2419 of 2019.]

Good to see them, giraffes are my favorite animal..... They…read moreare very unique. very tall, just like real giraffes, glad we have them in Charlotte

Up against the tall building in South End, these two giraffes look a bit out of place. What are…read moresteel sculptures of an African animal doing in Charlotte? It turns out that there are stories and that's okay. Feel free to make up your own. One of the giraffes appears to be stretching its long neck, looking outward. The other is stooped low, giving the appearance of grazing. I think they look very neat. It appears that they were designed by Ben Parrish of Steel Design Studios and are here as public art in front of this mixed use tower. I like art. [Review 16925 overall - 3248 in North Carolina - 441 of 2022.]