This project re-energized a high-traffic, pedestrian area on Charlotte’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Brand the Moth, in a new partnership with ArtWalksCLT, and working with the CDP&R, selected the Parkwood underpass tunnel located in Cordelia Park as a space with potential for new life. By bringing in bright colors with a fresh coat of moisture-resistant paint, this darker area becomes immediately more inviting, which strives to enhance the experience of and encourage the use of our Greenway. Investing in these areas increases their accessibility to walkers, runners, strollers, and neighbors of all abilities to use this as a safe and inclusive resource. As a shared space, it is even welcoming to all walks of life, including our wildlife neighbors who call our greenway home. 

We were excited to have Laurie Smithwick & Doris Kapner to use their craft, their narrative, and their expression to collaborate & connect with our community. They designed the mural in a ‘coloring book” fashion so that community members could participate in creating this new public artwork. This also provided a unique opportunity for community members to get a “behind the scenes” look at how murals are created, converse with local artists, and directly collaborate in bringing the finished piece to life. Roughly 60 people came to our Community Paint Day and helped build the layers of textural circles that flow throughout the entire 110 foot mural, together making our greenway a little more colorful. 

Stylistically, this combination of abstract geometric circles and illustrative animals delights the eye and brings color & play to your experience on the greenway. Sunny, energetic yellow greets you at both ends while over-sized animals invite you to celebrate the nature in our local habitats. The grey squirrel, opossum, marbled salamander and red cardinal are all North Carolina state symbols. Find the box turtle in the mural but keep an eye out for them in the creek beside it too! This mural represents the people, communities & nature that thread through our city, all connected by the wonderful greenway that makes Charlotte a more livable, accessible, and inspiring place.