June 6, 2022
Whether you love murals or sculptures, the historic or the modern, Cabarrus County has the art for you.
Here, we’ve rounded up public art highlights from across the area that you can use to design your own Cabarrus County art tour. While you’re in each city or town to marvel at its masterpieces, make sure you leave a little time for exploring — we’ve added places to get coffee, sip beer and watch movies along the way.
Concord Art Highlights
Bloom: Avett Brothers Tribute Mural
Artist: Caswell Turner
Address: 25 Union Street
About 20 years ago, just down the street from this mural, a young band performed. They were The Avett Brothers, of course, who went on to earn Grammy nominations and national acclaim. But still, they call Concord home — and with this mural, they’ll always have a presence here, no matter where they tour. At 30-feet tall with colors as vivid and bright as their music, Bloom is a tribute to the famous sons of Concord.
Coca-Cola Mural
Artists: Clarence W. Hampton (original), Andy Thompson (restorer)
Address: 2 Union Street
When construction workers tore down aluminum siding from these walls in 2011, they found a surprise: Beneath was a decades-old Coca-Cola mural. The city decided the mural should return, and this iteration is a faithful restoration of the original version, down to the signature of its original artist.
“The Meta” Sculpture
Artist: Katlyn “Kat” Cornelius
Address: Temporarily located at Rowan Rock & Timber (300 McGill Avenue NW)
After hearing neighbors say that they wished the community had more public art, artist Kat Cornelius found a way to bring art to the community. Her sculpture, titled “The Meta,” is made of recycled glass pieces of every color, which she found at thrift stores across Concord, Kannapolis and Charlotte. LED lights illuminate the entire structure from within. The piece is communal in the sense that it invites people to come together to appreciate art in a public setting, while still being introspective at the same time. Meta, after all, is a self-referential concept — and, in a way, the glass sculpture reflects us back to ourselves.
“The Meta” is part of the Concord Sculpture Show. Twelve large-scale sculptures created by seven local and regional artists will be display for approximately one year (from May 2022). The sculptures are located in clusters in and around downtown Concord. Originally displayed on Union Street in Historic Downtown Concord, “The Meta” is now located in Cluster Four (Gibson Mill). Visit the show’s website to learn more about each piece and get a map of the clusters that details each location.
While You’re Here…
Add a crawl of Concord galleries to your public art tour. Concord has three art galleries: Clearwater Arts Center & Studios, which hosts the work of local artists in restored historic buildings; The Galleries, which features exhibits curated by the Cabarrus Arts Council, as well as a Gallery Shop to curate your own collection; and Spring Gallery Art, a former pump house that’s now a charming studio exhibiting and selling the work of local artists.
If you’re inspired to create some art of your own while in Concord, several businesses give you the chance to tap into your inner artist. At The Bead Lady, choose from an endless array of beautiful beads to design and create bespoke jewelry (or purchase a custom piece from the showroom).
Art Box Studio offers painting inspiration, whether you want to host a paint party for your friends or come for private art lessons. Options include acrylics, watercolor, pastel, pen and ink, and mixed media pieces.
AR Workshop is your spot to create one-of-a-kind home decor from raw materials. Here, hands-on classes will help you transform materials into lazy susans and signs — so when guests compliment your decor, you can proudly say, “Thanks, I made that!”
Mt. Pleasant Art Highlights
“At Your Service” Mural
Artist: Caswell Turner
Address: 8342 West Franklin Street (N.C. 73)
Based on a photograph taken in the 1920s or ‘30s, this mural depicts a scene near a Texaco gas station with service station employees and a young boy. It’s part of a Layers of History initiative that plans to add more murals to Mt. Pleasant based on historic photographs of the area. The idea is for the town’s past to coexist with its present and to offer scenes of the past alongside their modern counterparts.
While You’re Here…
Sip coffee, munch on pastries or enjoy a glass of wine at the beautiful Café Lentz. This cozy neighborhood spot is in a restored historic building downtown, and the patio is dog-friendly, so four-legged customers are always welcome.
Kannapolis Art Highlights
“Hello Y’all” Mural
Artist: Tom Risser
Address: 216 West Avenue
We won’t blame you if you can’t resist taking a selfie here. This Instagram-friendly mural welcomes visitors to downtown Kannapolis with bright, giant, blue and yellow letters that you can’t miss.
“The Dancers” Sculpture
Artist: Tom Risser
Address: Intersection of West Avenue and Laureate Way
Made from gleaming stainless steel, this sculpture puts two dancers in a state of perpetual celebration near the intersection of West Avenue and Laureate Way in downtown Kannapolis. At 8-feet tall, it creates a vibrant, joyous mood. The sculpture was a gift of Dr. Harold Lee Cook, who grew up in Kannapolis and bequeathed money to the city so that it could add public art to further beautify its downtown streets.
“Smiley” Sculpture
Artist: Tom Risser
Address: Intersection of West Avenue and Vance Street
It’s impossible to know: Is this sculpture named “Smiley” because of its own fun, goofy grin, or because of the fun, goofy grins it inspires in those who see it? Either way, this is public art at its most fun, and this stainless-steel sculpture is equally a hit with kids as it is with adults.
“Complex It” Sculpture
Artist: Tom Risser
Address: Intersection of West Avenue and Vance Street
This is another sculpture created by artist Tom Risser that brightens the West Avenue streetscape — literally. Risser designed the brightly colored panels to capture sunlight. They’re set off by purposefully aged stainless steel and climb 10 feet into the air.
While You’re Here…
The historic Gem Theatre is a must for lovers of the cinematic and architectural arts. This theater debuted in 1936, and still radiates art deco glory today. From the neon sign out front to the sconces inside, going to a movie here is an experience that’s as much about the theater as the film itself.
Explore Kannapolis further to get a glimpse of all the area’s public art, including the “Reveler” sculpture on West Avenue, the “Discover a Healthy Life” sculpture at Village Park and even more murals.
Harrisburg Art Highlights
At Percent Tap House, local art is both on display and on tap. A mural fills a large wall of this cozy, small-batch brewery, which was Harrisburg’s first brewery when it opened in 2018, and artwork from regional artists decorates the walls. But art also flows here, too: Percent offers beer, wine, cider and cold brew coffee that are all masterpieces in their own right. It’s no wonder that the brewery’s merch bears the quote, “What is done in love is done well,” attributed to none other than Vincent van Gogh.
Mark Your Calendar: Arts Events
These annual events turn some of the area’s best art experiences into beloved traditions.
- Art Walk on Union: Downtown Concord. September 9.
- Colorful Lights Historic Concord Walking Tour: Downtown Concord, September.
- Concord International Festival: Downtown Concord, September 30.
- Harrisburg Art Walk: Harrisburg Park, March.
Book Your Art-Filled Getaway
Now’s the perfect time to book your trip to Cabarrus County to come see all the awe-inspiring art this area has to offer. Check out this list of places to stay and book your lodging now!
