The Community Impact Committee met with Jim Dukes, the executive director of the 2022 WIF grantee Charlotte Art League in their new space at the Trailhead Art Building at 4237 Raleigh Street. They are very excited to be able to offer more accessible studio, gallery, and event space to the creatives in Charlotte. There is a new coworking space for digital artists where they can reserve podcast booths, a high-tech conference room, and a photo/video studio. There is a new coworking space for digital artists where they can reserve podcast booths, a high-tech conference room, and a photo/ video studio. In November there is a call to artists to submit artwork that will be interactive with the viewer for the “Augmented Reality Exhibition.” In this exhibition, CAL is encouraging artists to explore the ways artists can create work using interactive forms to touch, see, and even smell art.

The new digital tools available in CAL’s Digital Arts Accelerator can inspire and expand the artists’ use of video, audio, and other formative techniques to make and explore art.

The grant that Charlotte Art League received from Women’s Impact Fund allowed them to expand their free art programming for homeless and at-risk youth. They were also able to hire a part-time Administrative Assistant to help manage the events calendar, gallery, and other operational needs. CAL is trying hard to eliminate the phrase “we didn’t know you existed.” If members are interested in hosting a private wine tour with Jim Dukes that will help people experience the facility and spread the word about CAL they would be happy to accommodate.

They do have indoor and outdoor space available to rent for parties, corporate events, education, and team building. They do have volunteer needs for:

• CAL Greeters – focus on greeting guests
• CAL Tour Guides – help give a tour of the venue, etc.
• CAL Art Volunteers – specifically help/ assist with artists and vendors. For more information, please contact Jim Dukes at jdukes@charlotteartleague.org.