Things are blooming at Open Studios - VAPA Center

The Dia de Los Casi Muertos exhibit will be held at the new VAPA Center. Every first Saturday the center is open to the public during their Open Studio events. We will be hosting paper flower making workshops the first Saturday of every month from 2pm - 4pm. Come join us!
Free

VAPA Center
700 N. Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28202


Eventbrite link

Free parking on other side of College St.

Dia de Los Casi Muertos 2024!

It’s back!
This years exhibition will be held in the OBRA Gallery located in the new VAPA Center in downtown Charlotte. It will be on display during the month of May. Come experience the magic of this event. For more information visit www.diadeloscasimuertos.com

The Dia de Los Casi Muertos project is supported, in part, by the Infusion Fund, its generous donors and the Arts and Science Council. 

New Works - "Why Do You Matter More?"

Excited to release a new triptych titled “Why Do You Matter More?”

The work questions if the viewer is part of the animal kingdom or separate from it and the implications of that answer.
18”x24” Ink on Paper

WINTER SHOW RETURNS

DECEMBER 5, 2021 - FEBRUARY 16, 2022

Excited have work in the GreenHill Center WINTER SHOW featuring!

click image below to view catalogue

DECEMBER 5, 2021 - FEBRUARY 16, 2022

OFFERING COVETED ACCESS TO MANY OF OUR STATE'S MOST INNOVATIVE AND THOUGHTFUL CREATORS ONLINE AND IN-PERSON

 

GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art proudly presents its 42nd annual WINTER SHOW featuring wide-ranging contemporary works in all mediums, including paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry, wood- and fiber works. Exemplifying high levels of creative expression throughout the state, the two-month exhibition strengthens GreenHill’s focus on cultural diversity. The exhibition offers coveted access to many of our state’s most innovative and thoughtful creators both online and in-person. More than 400 works by emerging and established artists showcase the resilience of our multi-faceted, cultural community. All of the proceeds from sales during the WINTER SHOW provide vital economic support to participating artists, GreenHill exhibitions, arts education, and community outreach.

WINTER SHOW is free and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to check back frequently for updates and details on safety protocols.

200 N DAVIE ST, GREENSBORO, NC


PDA - Charlotte is Creative

As countries across the globe roll back COVID-19 restrictions, people are re-entering offices, schools and other spaces — some boldly, others somewhat timidly.

After over a year of maintaining our distance (aside from the occasional masked and awkward side hug), we are beginning to interact with each other as we once did, pre-pandemic.

For one Charlotte creative, social distancing served as the backdrop of an investigation into the good a little groping — with permission! — can do. (If we learned anything from the #MeToo movement, it’s that unwelcome groping is always inappropriate.)

Meet Julio Gonzalez, visual artist, designer and mastermind behind the performative installation Public Displays of Affection (PDA).

“When I began this project in February 2020, I didn’t realize that we would be living in a world of social distancing where staying safe meant not touching,” Gonzalez shared on his Instagram account.

Exploring Public Displays of Affection

As the artist began to conceptualize the project, he envisioned it as an opportunity for lovers, friends and even strangers to publicly display how they show affection toward one another. Gonzalez set up a bench at Crown Station in NoDa and invited passersby to take a seat and share the love.

An avid traveler, Gonzalez noticed a stark difference in the United States where it’s more common to hear “Get a room!” than it is to see a couple lip locked and oblivious in the middle of the street.

For someone growing up within the Latin American culture, this lack of public intimacy seemed very odd to Gonzalez. PDA, and its Crown Station beta test, served as a stateside exploration of physical contact as an art form worthy of engagement — an art form that is simultaneously inclusive and exclusive.

The Benefits of Physical Contact

During the first iteration of the project, Gonzalez and his creative collaborators passed out PDA pamphlets that included information on the benefits of physical touch. It turns out that just 10 to 15 minutes of human contact per day can help decrease stress levels, lower blood pressure and boost immunity.

That’s right, during a moment when the world was panic stricken and running indoors, we were also missing out on key health benefits only received by being in close relation to one another.

Exploring Physical Touch Trough Latinx Dance

Recently, Gonzalez announced the next iteration of the PDA project. He will continue to explore touch in public by activating new spaces with fresh visual concepts.

As Latinx dances such as the samba and tango can often be very sensual — an intimate form of artistic expression — Gonzalez’ next phase of creation will involve partnered dancers dressed in full bodysuits that disguise the participant’s age, race and gender.

“Growing up, I learned to dance in my home with my mother, aunts and grandmothers,” he said.

“To hold the hand of a friend, relative or stranger and dance through a crowd is normal to me. The dances I grew up with provide an unspoken language that is felt between two people and can sometimes even be seen by those observing.”

As a teaser, two dancers in inflatable bear suits performed in Charlotte’s South End in a performance called “Messy Systems” where both the costumes and the choreography were intended to display how isolated we’ve become.

Gonzalez is also hoping to debut an even greater performative installation at Charlotte SHOUT!, the city’s creative wonderland festival, making its highly anticipated return this fall.

PDA - Lo Bailado

PDA – Public Displays of Affection

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (4/20/2021) – Charlotte artist Julio Gonzalez will present a new performance in the PDA series. The PDA project is an examination of cultural norms around touch and personal space. What does it mean to be touched or to touch in public? When I began this project in February of 2020 I didn’t realize that we would be living in a world of social distancing where to stay safe meant to not touch.  

The performance utilizes couples dance from Latin America in public spaces to explore cultural experiences with touch. Two performers in body suits that hide gender and race will dance together to music only they can hear. Performances will take place in spaces not traditionally used for dance, such as public transit stops, greenways, beer gardens. 

Performance Date:
May 1st
1 - 2pm (subject to change due to weather)

Location: Plaza in front of Jenny’s Ice Cream SouthEnd. Charlotte, NC

For more information, visit www.instagram.com/gonza_art

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PDA Art Show Feb 15 2020

PDA: An art show exploring displays of affection

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Every different generation, culture and individual has a different approach to gestures of romance and different concept of how to display affection.

PDA is an interactive performance and visual art exhibition that dives into the individual experience of how each of us shows and receives affection.
Event
Featured Artists:

Sarah Terry Argabrite
Micah Cash
Matt Cosper
de'Angelo Dia
Julio TheMexican Gonzalez
Megan Gonzalez
Katherine Kesey
Mayte Martinez
Jillian Mueller
Elisa Marie Sanchez
Matt Terry
Hamilton Ward
CHD:WCK!
Dammit, Wesley
Sweat Transfer +

Dia de Los Casi Muertos - Raleigh

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This year the Dia de Los Casi Muertos project traveled to Raleigh as well! Special thank you to ArtSpace for this opportunity.

Dia de Los Casi Muertos Charlotte 2019

Dia de Los Casi Muertos will take place at Camp NorthEnd November 1st & 2nd!

Camp NorthEnd 1824 Statesville Ave, Charlotte, NC 28206

Dia de Los Casi Muertos or Day of the Almost Dead is an ongoing multimedia project that explores the cultural differences between Mexican and American experiences with death and aging.

Link to project

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Marigold Maker Ride - 2019

Special thanks to the PlazaMidwood Tuesday Night Ride for their help with creating marigolds for this years Dia de Los Casi Muertos projet.