Brush Strokes Across Charlotte

Mike Wirth, MFA, associate professor of art, design and music, recently had the opportunity to play Pablo Picasso. It wasn’t on stage or the big screen, instead, he was one of ten local artists selected to create a mural in response to, or inspired by, works originally created by Picasso.

The exhibit, in honor of “Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds,” was made possible by a collaboration between the Mint Museum and Talking Walls. In addition to bringing Picasso paintings from all over the world to the museum, local artists were selected to paint their Picasso-inspired murals on concrete canvases across Charlotte, including the Queens campus.

“How awesome is it that local artists can jam with Picasso!?” exclaimed Wirth. “The Mint Museum is a catalyst in the community, and they are always finding innovative ways to connect people with the arts.” Wirth’s mural, “Tashlich: Casting Off,” is located at Camp North End and will remain on the historic Ford building indefinitely. It was created in response to Picasso’s “Houses” (1935) and was inspired by Wirth’s Jewish heritage and the ritual of Tashlich, which takes place during Rosh Hashanah. During this time, people gather to toss pieces of challah bread into running water as a symbolic act of casting one’s sins away. This can be done individually, with family, or even as an entire congregation.

“It was important for me to tell a Jewish story in Charlotte and to highlight the beauty of my culture,” said Wirth. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to appreciate that our culture and our faith are lenses through which we view the grand human experience. By sharing, we get to contribute our piece to the greater human story.”

Interestingly, Wirth briefly mentored Emily Núñez, the artist that painted the sprawling mural on the Queens campus. Located on the exterior of the library, Núñez’s piece is called “Reminiscing Over You” (“Rememorándote”) and was painted in response to Picasso’s “Landscape of Juan-Les-Pins” (1920).

Growing up, Núñez was influenced by her Dominican culture and her grandmother, who is also an artist. “I remember being at her house and grabbing markers to draw on the wall,” reminisces Núñez. “Instead of scolding me, she would encourage my creativity. I have many fond memories of painting with her — she was my inspiration to continue my education in the arts and to become a professional artist.”

As a Charlotte native, Núñez has seen her city transform through the years. “My piece represents the chaos of change that Charlotte has experienced as it has grown,” said Núñez. “In the center of the mural is the Charlotte trolley, with its rays of light illuminating this bright, vibrant city.”

Núñez plans to bring her family to campus to see her mural in person. “I’m one of the first in my family to receive a college degree,” said Núñez. “And throughout it all, my family has been very supportive of my art. My brother even helped by painting the base coat of this mural at Queens!”