Top 7 Charlotte art events in October

1) Fifth Anniversary Community Celebration

Saturday and Sunday, October 3-4
Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St.

The Mint Museum has been installing a new sculpture by Tom Joyce over the past few days, and they’re celebrating their new acquisition – and their five-year anniversary – by inviting everyone to either location for two free days of art viewing.

Also, if you become a member or renew membership, they’ll tack on an extra five months. Not a bad deal!

Tom Joyce (American, 1956-). Thicket, 2015. Stainless steel, cast iron (ductile alloy made from iron fragments retrieved from studio projects created 1977 to present). Project Ten Ten Ten commission. Museum Purchase: Funds provided by the Mint Museum Auxiliary in honor of Sally Van Allen. Image © Mint Museum of Art, Inc.

2) Reception for Jennifer and Kevin McCoy: Priests of the Temple 2015

Monday, October 5
Rowe Galleries, UNC Charlotte University Campus at 9201 University City Blvd.

This exhibition will contain a suite of sculptures combining portraiture, diorama, and video projection. The artists chose to portray Silicon Valley leaders within the changing landscape of the West. This is the kind of must-see-to-believe/understand exhibition that Charlotte has been missing as of late (with a few exceptions of course). We can’t wait to experience this one.

Events on October 5 include a lecture (4 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and an opening reception (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

Jennifer and Kevin McCoy: Priests of the Temple 2015

3) McColl Center Workshops

Tuesday through Thursday, October 6-8
McColl Center for Art + Innovation

On Tuesday and Wednesday, join artist-in-residence Stephen L. Hayes, Jr. as he conducts a two-day workshop (two hours each day, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) to teach participants how to create a mold and plaster cast of their faces. Cost is $100, materials are included.

Thursday, alumni artist Ashley Lathe will lead a beginners watercolor workshop. Cost is $30, materials are included.

Work by Stephen L. Hayes, Jr.

4) Film Screening of ‘The Painter Sam Francis’

Thursday, October 8
Bechtler Museum

The wonderful exhibition Sam Francis: Rapid Fluid Indivisible Vision is still fresh on our minds after the opening two weeks ago. We’re excited to learn more about this diverse, collaborative artist by attending a screening for the 2008 film “The Painter Sam Francis.”

Appetizers will be served in the museum lobby at 6 p.m. and the film starts at 7 p.m.. Tickets are $10 for nonmenbers, $8 for members, and $5 for students.

Film poster for ‘The Painter Sam Francis’ (2008)

5) Barbara Schreiber reception

Wednesday, October 14
CPCC Ross Gallery

Barbara Schreiber opens an exhibition of recent paintings in Barbara Schreiber: Based on a True Story. Her work contains scenes that appear tranquil at first, but slightly ominous upon further inspection, with a “twist of sardonic wit and humor.”

Reception is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Ross Gallery. Exhibition is on view through December 18.

Barbara Schreiber, Back to School. Acrylic on paper, 22 x 30 in

6) Reception for Carolyn Jacobs: Missing Mountains

Thursday, October 15
Artspace 525, 525 North Tryon Street

Charlotte painter Carolyn Jacobs looks to her eastern Kentucky roots when exploring the relationship between beauty and destruction. She portrays strip mines in both gorgeous vistas and in unrecognizable, blackened birds eye views (from Google satellite). Jacobs adds further interest by incorporating actual coal from the mines into her work.

Reception is at 6 p.m. and the exhibition is on view through November 12.

Carolyn Jacobs, Cleave, 2015. Coal, oil and wax on panel, 14×18 

7) Performances by three beloved Charlotte artists

Wednesday, October 21
Belk Visual Art Center, Davidson College

In conjunction with the thought-provoking exhibition of performance art, Regina José Galindo: Bearing Witness, Davidson College decided to shine a spotlight on performance artists living in our region. If you’re new to this kind of art, this event will be the perfect first step for you. Artists include John W. Love, Jr., April Marten, and Jon Prichard.

Event takes place 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Galleries will remain open through the event.

John W. Love Jr. Photo by Mitchell Kearney