This week McColl Center for Visual Art was pleased to welcome all the kids from St. Patrick Elementary School for a session with ceramic artist Tom Thoune, thanks to a grant from the Arts and Science Council. The students are creating a mosaic for the school’s sculpture garden out of old glassware and porcelain. Many “oohs” and “ahhs” came from the crowd as Tom explained the ancient history of the mosaic process before they got their hands dirty.

Have you been to the corner of 12th and Davidson St? If not, it's worth a visit! Read more about Charlotte's newest public art project by Center Affiliate Artist, Darren Goins.

Artist-in-Residence, Daniel McCormick has been working on a public art installation in the “unlikely site” of Freedom Park. Part of a collaboration with Catawba Lands Conservancy and Carolina Thread Trail, Mecklenburg County Government Park and Recreation Department, Charlotte Nature Museum, Queens University of Charlotte and many other groups and organizations helping with the project, McCormick is creating a site-specific sculpture installation in the park.

Lisa Holder, a two-time Center Affiliate Artist began an outreach project during her time here over the summer working with residents of the Charlotte Battered Women's Shelter. This unique partnership, where the women were asked to journal their thoughts and feelings in addition to working in self-portraiture, created powerful results that speak to both the fragility and resiliency of identity during difficult times. The results of this project will be an integral part of United Family Services 100th Anniversary Gala, Aperture, on Saturday, November 7 at the Westin uptown. Lisa took a few minutes to talk about her experience. Read what Lisa had to say and get event details after the jump.

I am creating site-specific erosion control sculptures at Freedom Park on Little Sugar Creek just outside of Uptown Charlotte. As an environmental installation artist, I design restorative art projects on public lands in urban and rural areas. I am collaborating with the Catawba Lands Conservancy, Carolina Thread Trail, Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department, Charlotte Nature Museum, Queens University of Charlotte and other generous partners and volunteers.