On the Scene Charlotte: Locals Talk About the Latest Trends in Their City

Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. New buildings and entire neighborhoods are constantly being developed, giving the city an incredible sense of energy. Charlotte's street art scene is deeply shaped by this rapid transformation – artists respond to it almost in real time with new murals.

Murals here don't just appear overnight – and rarely as solo efforts. Artists talk to the community beforehand. For example, my mural "Commural," located near the Vietnamese takeout spot Crispy Banh Mi on Shamrock Drive, includes ideas contributed by my neighbors. They even helped me crowdfund the materials. It's a great example of how public art in Charlotte isn't just beautiful – it's a reflection of togetherness and solidarity.

Charlotte's First Legal Graffiti Park

Events like the Talking Walls Mural Festival make our city even more colorful every time. Some of the best graffiti artists in the country give Charlotte a "fresh coat of paint" and explain the stories behind their works during guided tours.

But you can also explore Charlotte's street art scene on your own. The festival's website (talkingwallscharlotte.com) features an interactive city map with all the murals. My favorite spots include Luminous Lane in Uptown, which is completely covered in street art, and the TAOH Outdoor Gallery, Charlotte's first legal graffiti park. Anyone can get creative there – even painting over other people's work. It's a place full of creative energy. Other particularly vibrant neighborhoods are South End, Camp North End, and NoDa.

Nature as Inspiration

Anyone walking through Charlotte will quickly notice that many murals are inspired by the natural world. That's because the city is so close to nature – Charlotte is full of parks and gardens, and the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains are just a short drive away.

Other murals tell the story of the many different cultures that shape Charlotte. Artist Rosalia Torres-Weiner, for example, uses public space to highlight the history of Mexican immigrants with her colorful works. And Georgie Nakima honors the city's Afro culture with her large mural paintings.

As for me, the way I draw or paint changes with my mood and surroundings, but my visual language is always bold – and a little defiant. To me, it feels more honest to let things be slightly messy and imperfect. My work lives in the space between humor and truth, where even the strangest characters can say something real.

About

Cheeks McGee, also known as Cheeks of the Streets, was still an art student when he connected with a local street art collective that was organizing exhibitions and painting commissioned murals all over the city. Today he organizes exhibitions independently, inviting local and national artists to Charlotte to collaborate.