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.
Meet our Artists-In-Residence
Welcome Nastassja Swift, Kimberly English, Ally Nolan and Beverly Smith.
In the softness of fibers, humans unfold. This season, this revelatory experience is ushered in by six incoming Artists-in-Residence joining us at McColl Center for Spring 2026. Traditional and tactile processes are reimagined, revealing how textiles can honor communities while opening new pathways of understanding. This cohort explores textile practices as a powerful language, moving between portraiture, sculpture, installation, and memory-driven image making.
Read more about them here.
Upcoming Events + Exhibitions
Every Tuesday
DRAW MCCOLL - A WEEKLY FIGURE DRAWING SESSION
Join us for Draw McColl Center, a weekly drop-in figure drawing program.
Wednesday, April 1 - Monday, April 27, 2026
Light at the End of the Tunnel - a collaborative exhibition
The Mint Museum and McColl Center have partnered to present Light at the End of the Tunnel, an exhibition curated by and on view at McColl Center.
Wednesday, May 20
Artists-in-Residence Talk + Tour
This is more than a talk, it’s an opportunity to meet the artists, see their studios up close, and engage in meaningful dialogue with our cohort.
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.”