“We believe art thrives when artists do,” proclaims the McColl Center – a living art space where creativity and community collide in the heart of Charlotte.
In a gothic revival-style former church at the corner of N. Tryon St. and W. 11th St., the McColl Center provides opportunities for established artists and local learners to immerse themselves in the arts.
Named after Hugh McColl, the former chairman and the first CEO of Bank of America, the building was purchased by what was then NationsBank in 1995. It opened 25 years ago as the Tryon Center for Visual Arts, welcoming nine artists-in-residence and was later renamed to honor McColl’s vision and support. He has long been a supporter in the arts and wanted to provide creatives with a facility where they could thrive. “I started out trying to help artists, not realizing what a tremendous help and asset it would be for Charlotte,” McColl told The Charlotte Observer in 2020, at a gala celebrating the 20th anniversary of the center.
Today, the McColl Center offers select artists housing, a full studio, access to all workshop facilities and a $6,000 stipend for a 10-week residency. Establishing and maintaining a studio art career can be difficult and the artist-in-residence program allows artists the opportunity to focus on their craft without mundane distractions. The program also provides community networking along with marketing and PR support.
Bethany Salisbury is the programs coordinator at the McColl Center. With a background in marketing and design, she plans community events, exhibitions and assists each year’s artists-in-residence. According to Salisbury, getting to know new artists is a rewarding and exciting part of her job.
Each year, the McColl Center offers three application periods for artists to submit materials in hopes of a spot in the program. Since opening, the program has provided space, resources and community to nearly 500 contemporary artists from around the world. Forty percent of those artists have been North Carolina natives.
According to Salisbury, the center looks for artists that have evidence of an ongoing practice and conceptual strength. They are currently accepting applications through April 14 for their 2026 Artist-in-Residence session. Artists may work in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, film, video, new media, written or spoken word, or interdisciplinary practices.
Community Programming for Charlotte SHOUT!
Current artists-in-residence at the McColl Center include Ioannis Anastasiou and Majika Dukodowicz, Balam Bartolomé and Jen Clay. As part of their residency, each artist also leads a community workshop or program.
Two of these programs are upcoming during Charlotte SHOUT!, an annual celebration of the city’s art, culture and community that takes place over 17 days in uptown Charlotte.
Clay’s hands-on workshop, Jen & Juice, on Friday, April 4, will explore her innovative approach to creating vibrant, quilted artwork. According to the center’s website, participants will practice the unique process of painting and spraying dyes directly onto reclaimed fabric that they bring in, creating a watercolor-like effect. worth fighting for and be constantly aware of their surroundings. “Have that attitude,” she says. “Have an attitude that you are a badass…you are worth fighting for.”
Currently based in Miami, Clay is a North Carolina native and graduated from UNC Charlotte before getting her MFA at University of Florida. Her work has appeared at the Girls Club Collection, Norton Museum of Art, MOCA North Miami and Miami Light Box. She’s done previous residencies at Oolite Arts in Miami Beach and the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
On April 12, the duo of Anastasiou and Dukodowicz will lead a teen zine workshop at the McColl Center. Participants will create collages that blend vintage and modern photos of Charlotte’s vibrant scenery with their own personal stories. The artists will work with participants to collaboratively create a zine that, according to the artists, “celebrates the city’s charm through a collective lens.”
The zine workshop for those 13-18 years old is from 1-3 p.m., and no special skills are required to participate. The cost of the workshop is $20, which includes materials and a copy of the finished zine at the end of the project.
Bartolomé previously held a workshop titled The Creative Threshold on March 22, offering an insight into how the Mexican-born artist approaches his work. Bartolomé was selected as the John O. Calmore Creative Activism Artist-in-Residence this year.
Other events during SHOUT! include A Conversation with Jamie Brown on Preserving Charlotte’s Past Through Food & Hospitality on April 4 and a free Family Day on April 12.
The McColl Center continues to stand as a testament to the power of art and this year’s SHOUT! events highlight its commitment to community.
While the artist-in-residence program can support artists at any stage in their career, the center remains a vital force in Charlotte’s creative landscape.
For more information about McColl Center for Visual Arts, visit www.mccollcenter.org.
For a full list of Charlotte SHOUT! events, visit www.charlotteshout.com.
Queens University News Service
