July Issue 2001
Charlotte Rocks!
With Largest Public Art Event in Charlotte's History
Tryon Center for Visual Art, located in Uptown Charlotte, NC, has launched the largest public art event in Charlotte's history. Chairs On Parade will reinvent Chicago's world-renowned Cows on Parade exhibition. The Charlotte version will feature more than 100 oversized rocking chairs (5'8" tall x 4' wide) that have been interpreted and designed by acclaimed artists from throughout the Carolinas. Rocking chairs were chosen as the artists' canvas to reflect North Carolina's rich furniture heritage and the front porch traditions of the South. Through Sept., 2001, the chairs will adorn streets, parks and public spaces throughout the city.
Tryon Center for Visual Art produced Chairs on Parade because it meets a number of the organization's goals for a public art event. First, Chairs offers Tryon Center an opportunity to commission over 100 North and South Carolina artists. Second, the "art on parade" concept has proven to be a powerful economic driver in other markets. In Chicago, for example, retailers adjacent to the "Cows on Parade" exhibit generated $150 million in additional sales from spectator traffic. Third, the concept offers a proven framework for successful partnerships between business and the arts. Fourth, the exhibit presents a wonderful opportunity to make art accessible and free to the general public, putting it in the places where people gather. Finally, this massive public art event will benefit numerous area non-profit organizations with an event-ending auction in Nov. 2001. At the close of the exhibit, sponsors will be encouraged to donate their chairs to the auction and the sale price of each chair will be evenly divided between Tryon Center and the charity of the sponsor's choice. The auction has the potential to benefit more area charities than any event in Charlotte's history.
Chairs on Parade is a project of Tryon Center for Visual Art. Tryon Center for Visual Art is a progressive, not-for-profit organization committed to enhancing and promoting the visual arts in Mecklenburg County and building the Charlotte Region into a recognized visual arts center.
A map of the location of individual chairs should be available by mid-July. To date, distribution points will be: Tryon Center for Visual Art, Charlotte Chamber's Info Charlotte, the Mint Museum Gift Shops, South Park Concierge Desk, and Center City Partners Info. Motion Cart. Until then a map can be found on the Chairs on Parade web site at (http://www.chairs-on-parade.com).
For info check our NC Institutional Gallery listings or call the Center at 704/332-5535.
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
Telephone, Answering Machine and FAX: 843/825-3408
E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
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