25 Years of McColl Center
Twenty-five years ago, the dream of creating an urban artist's colony in a fire-ravaged church in uptown Charlotte became a reality. Today, as a hub for creativity and a catalyst for growth, McColl Center is dedicated to putting artists first, supporting them throughout their careers with subsidized studios, access to modern equipment and tools, entrepreneurship programs, and 5,000 square feet of gallery space to exhibit and sell their work. Since 1999, our artist residency program has provided a haven for artists—a space where they have the time, resources, and freedom to turn their dreams into reality.
Join us in celebrating our rich history and the incredible artists who have shaped our community. Throughout the year, we’ll share inspiring stories and opportunities to engage with our community at upcoming celebratory events. Learn more.
Benefit Art Auction 2025
Attend the Live Auction + 25 Year Celebration at McColl Center on Saturday, February 22, 2025 6:30 PM. This year, we’re celebrating a major milestone—25 years of McColl Center! The Benefit Art Auction will be an extraordinary celebration, honoring a quarter-century of nurturing artists, elevating careers, and helping establish Charlotte as a world-class creative city. We couldn’t be more excited to share this moment with you.
Meet our Winter 2025 Artists-In-Residence
We are thrilled to present our Artists-in-Residence—Ioannis Anastasiou and Majka Dokudowicz, Balam Bartolomé, and Jen Clay—who draw on the collective past to create visual metaphors that help navigate our evolving future.
Learn from the Artists-led workshops.
Opportunities at McColl Center
Upcoming Programs + Events
Thursday, March 6
Sovereign: Honoring Bodily Autonomy Opening Reception
Join us for the Opening Reception of Sovereign: Honoring Bodily Autonomy.
Saturday, March 8
Teen Zine Workshop with Ioannis Anastasiou and Majka Dokudowicz
Perfect for both beginners and more seasoned artists, participants will craft unique collages that blend vintage and modern photos of Charlotte’s vibrant scenery with their own personal narratives.
Thursday, March 20
Contemporaries Wrap Party
The Contemporaries is turning 1! Let's celebrate Charlotte’s new art collecting community.
Saturday, March 22
The Creative Threshold: With Balam Bartolomé
Join Artist-in-Residence Balam Bartolomé for an engaging workshop that invites you into his creative process as he guides participants through a collaborative art-making experience.
Saturday, March 29
Sovereign Bodies: Movement, & Meditation
This session will include gentle movement that builds into dancing, somatic movement, vocal expression, and mental and emotional release. Prepare to be free and uninhibited.
Saturday, April 5
Jen & Juice: A Collaborative Playdate with Jen Clay
Participants will dive into the unique process of painting and spraying dyes directly onto fabric, achieving a stunning watercolor-like effect.
Current Artists
Press + News
McColl Center Updates
Artist-in-Residence Alumnus Asa Jackson Named Next President and CEO of McColl Center
“I am deeply honored and excited to join McColl Center at this pivotal moment. My experience as a resident artist here was transformative, and I look forward to leading an organization that has been a cornerstone in empowering artists and fostering creativity. Together with McColl Center’s talented team, I’m eager to deepen our impact and expand opportunities for artists to thrive.”
McColl Center Updates
McColl Center Celebrates 25 Years with Ties That Bind Photography Exhibition by Mitchell Kearney
This exhibition showcases Kearney’s nearly decade-long documentation of McColl Center’s transformation and the artists who shaped its creative legacy.
McColl Center Updates
MCCOLL BEGINS SEARCH FOR NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO
McColl Center seeks an experienced leader to guide McColl Center during an exciting time in the organization’s history.