(Charlotte, NC) Imagine encountering Andy Warhol’s Marilyn outside a YMCA or emerging artist Jordan Casteel’s Kevin The Kite Man in the middle of a park. Charlotteans will be able to participate in this experience beginning in April when the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture launch Inside|Out Charlotte. and James L. Knight Foundation’s
national effort to share collections and bring art into communities. This public exhibition and outreach program will reach into the greater Charlotte-Mecklenburg area to strengthen knowledge, understanding and appreciation for visual art. The program places framed, high-quality reproductions of artworks on display at the Bechtler Museum and Gantt Center for community members to encounter and enjoy programming specifically designed for each installation. Inside|Out Charlotte will launch in the spring highlighting artworks that reflect the diversity of the museums’ collections and broad interests in the communities. The program started eight years ago at the Detroit Institute of Arts and now includes partners around the nation; the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Akron Art Museum, and Perez Art Museum Miami. The John S. Knight Foundation has funded the expansion to these additional cities including Charlotte.
“There’s something very powerful about seeing works of art in person. You become completely immersed. Inside|Out brings that experience to people, directly in their communities. And an amazing thing happens: entire neighborhoods, entire communities, start to talk about art,” said Victoria Rogers, vice president for arts at Knight Foundation. Residents, families and friends in the participating communities will be able to walk through the park or hop on a bike and encounter art in unexpected places and enjoy each exciting outdoor exhibition. The Bechtler and the Gantt Center in conjunction with the partner communities will plan educational opportunities and other fun activities, such as bicycle and walking tours, community discussions, musical performances and more.