Two new features are coming to the Brightwalk neighborhood: Scuppernong Commons and Love Motels for Insects!
The scuppernong grape is native to the southeast, and has been a staple in pies, jams, jellies, juices and wines since the 1700s. Scuppernong Commons, a public art installation being erected in a pocket park within Brightwalk, looks to bring this native grape back to the urban setting that is the Queen City. The installation being developed by artists Ene Osteraas-Constable and Scott Constable, also known as Wowhaus, is part of the McColl Center Art + Innovation Artist in Residence program and is number 3 in a series of 7 public art works happening at Brightwalk. As part of the installation, the artists hand-cast red concrete disks with volunteers at McColl Center and hand-pigmented them to represent the different strata found in the red clay soils of North Carolina. In the end, the piece will be an arbor planted with scuppernong grape vines that will be tended and harvested by community members and will include a plaza for neighbors to gather and meet.
Another art installation going in at Brightwalk as part of the artist-in-residence program at McColl Center for Art + Innovation is the Love Motels for Insects. These glow-in-the-dark butterfly sculptures are the design of artist and biologist Brandon Ballengee. In an interview with WFAE, Ballengee said of the installation: “They’re large, outdoor light sculptures that use ultraviolet light to attract insects at night, which gives this opportunity for the community to understand a little bit about the urban zoology.” The Brightwalk website says that at each location, the Love Motels will become the backdrop for community events such as picnics, biodiversity festivals, graffiti jams, political rallies, scientific investigations, musical events and even insect film screenings.
Brightwalk is a neighborhood in the north end of Charlotte, just a mile outside of Center City Charlotte. The vision for the neighborhood is that it is ideal for those looking to save time, energy and money – literally. Per the Brightwalk website, this neighborhood is “an environment for those who care about the environment, where green space is as important as living space and increasing your happiness footprint is a given.” If that sounds like the environment for you, let’s set up a time to show you around Brightwalk!
Image: Brightwalk Email Newsletter
