Elizabeth Ave

Elizabeth Avenue is home to many popular and eclectic businesses and restaurants. The sky caught my eye on this particular night, along with the rows of streetlights lining the path to the partial skyline.
This area has been undergoing some heavy construction for some time, but there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel for many businesses that were affected by parts of the street being closed.
For more information about the past and future of Elizabeth Ave, click here.

Open Windows

Ever since I drove by what I thought was just another church in Charlotte, I have wanted to take pictures of this structure. Although the church in front was intact, the small building behind it was hollow, and it seemed to me, damaged by fire. I was right about the fire.

I had never driven around to the front of the church until today, and then realized that this church had been renovated and is now The McColl Center for Visual Arts. The former Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church was built in 1926, and became very popular with a large congregation. In the 1950's several factors played a part in the church's decline, and through the next twenty years, things only worsened until the congregation was forced to sell the church. After sitting empty for many years, in 1985, a terrible fire destroyed all but the outer walls of the structure.

For over a decade after the fire, the outer walls remained standing. Several sources describe the remnants after the fire as "ghostly", and even just the smaller outer structure that I photographed definitely has that feeling.

Fortunately, in 1996, the then CEO of Bank of America, Hugh McColl, came to the rescue. His company bought the church and the land, and through his guidance and love of the arts, The McColl Center was born.

The center has private studios for artists that receive grants through the artist in residence program, or the associate artists program. These grants provide money, living arrangements, and funding for artistic materials.

The studios are absolutely gorgeous, I spent quite a bit of time on their website tonight. I can't believe I just discovered this gift to our community.

To learn more about The McColl Center for Visual Arts, including information about exhibitions, the artists, and donation options, click here.

To find out more about the history of the church and the preservation process, click here.

Aspire

This sculpture, Aspire, by artist Greg Wyatt, is located on the campus of CPCC in front of the Overcash Academic and Performing Arts Center. The bronze sculpture was a gift funded by the Queen's Table, a local philanthropic group.
Greg Wyatt's work is featured all over the world in museums, sculpture gardens, and within university, government, and private collections.
To learn more about Greg Wyatt and to see photos of his other sculptures, click here.

The VanLandingham Estate

The VanLandingham Estate was built by its original owners, Ralph and Susie VanLandingham, in 1913. After changing hands multiple times, including being owned by UNCC, The VanLandingham Estate is today owned by Unique Southern Estates, a group of local business people who have spent over a million dollars in renovations and care for the property. Before being placed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the home was almost sold to a developer who planned to tear it down and build a high rise.

Thank goodness it was saved. The grounds are a beautiful haven tucked away in the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood. This California bungalow-style home was very modern for its time, and some of the original antiques still remain within the estate. Today, The VanLandingham is a very popular location for weddings and events. To plan a visit or to learn more, visit the official website.