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.
Meet our Artists-In-Residence
Welcome Hai-Wen Lin, Rebecca Lipps, Jason Lord and Leigh Suggs. The Fall 2025 Artists-in-Residence bring together four dynamic voices whose practices explore structure, rhythm, and transformation. Through material and movement, each artist reimagines how we connect with the world around us. Together, their work reveals how systems of order can also open pathways to new ways of seeing. Read more about them here.
Revolutionizing the Art Scene
McColl Center celebrates creativity and builds community through art collecting. The Contemporaries isn’t just a collecting group, it’s an immersive experience where members engage with contemporary art, connect with professional artists, and strengthen their ties to Charlotte’s cultural landscape. SPOTS ARE LIMITED, JOIN NOW.
Upcoming Events + Exhibitions
Thursday, September 18
Contemporaries Opening Night + Collector Panel: Collecting as Stewardship
A thoughtful conversation on how collecting nurtures artists and shapes cultural legacy.
Saturday, September 20
The Long Exposure Opening Celebration
Celebrate the opening of Long Exposure with us during a vibrant, building-wide Open House that brings the full McColl Center experience to life!
Monday, September 22
Beyond the Studio: Ready to Hang with Atelier 4
In this hands-on workshop, the expert team from Atelier 4 will share the nuts and bolts of professional installation.
Saturday, October 4
Beyond the Studio: The Mechanics of Sustaining a Creative Life with Sharon Louden
Through group discussion and guided exercises, participants will explore the many roles artists play in society and develop strategies to connect meaningfully with their networks.
Saturday, October 4
Last Artist Standing: Panel Discussion with Sharon Louden & Guests
Sharon Louden convenes a panel of artists and cultural leaders to explore what it takes to sustain a creative life today.
Saturday, October 18 - Sunday, October 19, 2025
Big Ink + Queen City Zine fest
Join BIG INK at the McColl Center in Charlotte, NC, for a relief printmaking workshop of epic proportions! Learn how to carve a woodblock, then print your carving on a custom-built giant printing press. Beginners are welcome.
Press + News
McColl Center Updates
McColl Center’s The Contemporaries Is Changing the Way Charlotte Collects Art
In spring 2024, McColl Center launched The Contemporaries, a first-of-its-kind art collecting community in Charlotte.
McColl Center Updates
THANK YOU FOR AN INCREDIBLE BENEFIT ART AUCTION
We’re still feeling the excitement from our Fifth Annual Benefit Art Auction! It was a remarkable celebration of art, community, and 25 years of McColl Center.
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.”