“Queens & Kings: A Tale of Two Cities”
Opening Ceremony In Charlotte, NC
For its inaugural moment, The Whitaker Group’s 38a gallery unveiled Queens & Kings: A Tale of Two Cities, an exhibition in partnership with adidas Originals that bridges the creative legacies of Charlotte and Pittsburgh. This landmark event celebrated local artistry, creativity, and community, honoring the shared culture and resilience of the Queen City.
Opening night was filled with energy as attendees explored the exhibition featuring 30 works by Charlotte-based artists Mike Jones, Bryant Lindsay, and Khadija Sugulle. Each of their pieces captured powerful themes of identity, heritage, and perseverance, allowing guests to immerse themselves in a night that celebrated art and the importance of local connection.
Beyond the Opening Ceremony, the exhibition has featured a series of interactive and engaging events:
Artist Talk: The featured artists sat down with attendees to discuss their creative processes, challenges, and what drives their work. Conversations dived into the photographers' duty to capture Black and Brown culture, what it means to exist and thrive in underrepresented spaces, and how "success" has shaped their journeys.
Portrait Session: This unique event gave both beginner and experienced photographers the chance to create portraits in the intimate gallery space under the guidance of the featured artists.
Photo Walk: Taking to the streets of West Charlotte, this collaborative photo walk provided a hands-on opportunity to explore the city’s essence through their lenses.
In celebration of Charlotte's creative community, all photographers and artists are invited to submit their work for a chance to be featured in the Community Gallery during the closing night.
Submissions are open to all through 12.4 9AM: HERE
Queens & Kings: A Tale of Two Cities is open for public viewing in Charlotte, Monday through Friday from 12PM to 6PM at 2715A Tuckaseegee Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208, through December 6th. The dual narrative will continue to amplify the voices of underrepresented artists, expanding the exhibition to Pittsburgh on December 13th.
