Last year, I was honored to be commissioned to create a guitar sculpture for Charlotte SHOUT festival’s Queens Greens Mini Golf experience, an interactive art-installation-meets-mini-golf course that’s part of the larger festival. The theme? Music. The goal? Celebrate The Queen City’s rich musical heritage in a playful, creative way.
No pressure, right?
I decided to create a giant guitar sculpture, one of the biggest pieces I’ve ever made. I hadn’t worked in sculpture for quite a while, and I’d definitely never tackled anything this size before. But I love a challenge, and this one pushed me to think big (literally), problem-solve in new ways, and dive into unfamiliar territory with a mix of nerves and excitement.
The sculpture began with a metal frame which took me ages to figure out. Once I nailed it, I brought in elements from Upcycle Arts, an amazing Charlotte nonprofit that diverts usable materials from the landfill and makes them available to local artists and educators. Their mission is so aligned with my values, and incorporating their materials made the piece feel even more meaningful.
The final sculpture stood tall and colorful, decked out in found objects, lights, and bright details that celebrated the joy and rhythm of music.
Being part of Charlotte SHOUT! was honestly one of the most fun, rewarding creative experiences I’ve had. I got to hang out during the festival, chat with people playing mini-golf, and hear their reactions to the piece. There’s something really special about seeing people interact with your work in real-time, outside of a traditional gallery space.
I walked away from the experience not just proud of what I built, but inspired to take on more large-scale projects, and to keep saying yes, even when a project feels a little bit out of my comfort zone. That’s where the real magic happens.
If you’re ever in Charlotte during SHOUT!, I highly recommend checking it out. Art, music, food, community, it’s everything I love in one big, vibrant celebration.
– Melissa