CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Jan. 5, 2022) – A significant public artwork spearheaded by local artist Meredith Connelly will welcome residents and visitors to the planned Ezell Farms Community Park in Mint Hill.

Connelly has been commissioned to create artwork for the Mecklenburg County-funded project, which will be sited on a previously privately-owned 90.6-acre farm.

The public artwork is expected to be completed in spring 2023. Connelly will work with residents and community stakeholders to create an impactful artwork that is integrated into the site and connects to the historic farm theme and agrarian and nature-based project vision.

“I am very excited to collaborate with the Mint Hill community regarding creating art for the future Ezell Farms Community Park,” Connelly said. “I truly care about creating impactful art that is designed specifically for a space and the ways in which viewers engage and experience art.”

ASC, which manages the public art programs for Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte, will introduce the artist to the community at a Virtual Community Engagement Workshop from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20. Connelly will provide an overview of her experience and past projects and listen to residents about their connection to Mint Hill and the public art site to identify themes and ideas to inspire her artwork. RSVP by Wednesday, Jan. 19, to Randella.Foster@ArtsAndScience.org or 704-335-3262 to receive the Zoom meeting link.

“I would love to hear stories from community members about any memories, experiences or special connections they have to the land at the park,” Connelly said. “I also deeply care about nature and light, which typically presents itself in my work, so I would like to know more about what community members are drawn to when they are outside, what they hope to experience within the park through art and how art might enhance and complement the land in their eyes.”

Connelly, based in Cornelius, is a multidisciplinary artist whose work is inspired by science, nature and technology. Her works have been on view at art museums within the Southeast and are housed in various private and corporate collections. Her public projects include the “I Heart Rail Trail” in Charlotte’s South End and “Lights,” an illuminated walking trail commissioned by the U.S. National Whitewater Center in 2019.

ABOUT ARTS & SCIENCE COUNCIL

ASC is the chief advocate, resource hub and steward for the Charlotte- Mecklenburg region’s cultural community. Its core functions include advocacy, cultural education programs, cultural planning, fundraising, grant making, public art and workshops and trainings for the cultural community. ASC works to ensure Culture For All by combining resources from local and state government with those of the private sector to maximize community impact throughout the cultural sector.

ASC’s mission is to ensure access to an excellent, relevant, and sustainable cultural community for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region.

Stay up to date on ASC news and happenings at ArtsAndScience.org and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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