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
The Summer 2025 Parent and Educator Artists-in-Residence—Mara Baldwin, Scott Carter, Maritea Dæhlin, and Estephania González—embrace contradiction, duality, and displacement as creatives. Through diverse practices spanning sculpture, sound, performance, and installation, each artist constructs immersive, hybrid worlds that reflect layered identities and complex truths. Their work invites viewers into spaces where paradox is not a problem to solve, but a powerful point of departure.
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.
Opportunities at McColl Center
Upcoming Programs + Events
Thursday, May 22 - Saturday, June 28, 2025
The Paglees: Between Reason and Madness
The Paglees are a feminist collective of artists of South Asian origin living across the United States.
Saturday, June 14 - Saturday, August 2, 2025
SUMMER 2025 PARENT & EDUCATOR ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE SHOWCASE
Summer 2025 Parent and Educator Artists-in-Residence Mara Baldwin, Scott Carter, Maritea Dæhlin, and Estephania González all build from paradox, crafting grounded and hybrid worlds of their own making where multiple truths can coexist.
Thursday, July 10
Artist Talk with Summer 2025 Artists-in-Residence + Curator Anna Kustera
Join us in conversation with curator Anna Kustera and Summer 2025 Artists-in-Residence as they discuss their artwork, themes, and creative processes.
Monday, July 14 - Friday, July 18, 2025
CREATIVITY CAMP: Drawing + Painting Fundamentals
Build a solid foundation in the essential techniques of drawing, from mastering lines and shading to understanding proportions.
Thursday, July 17
Opening Reception for Nature Remains: Paintings by Barbara Schreiber, Curated by Lia Rose Newman
Join us for the opening reception of Nature Remains, featuring new work by McColl Center Alumni Barbara Schreiber.
Saturday, August 2
Nature Remains: Artist Talk with Barbara Schreiber and Curator Lia Rose Newman
Join us in conversation with curator Lia Rose Newman and artist Barbara Schreiber as they discuss the paintings, themes, and creative process behind the exhibition Nature Remains.
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.”