Alumni Association event spotlighted talented alumni and student artists

For Sara Simmons ’15 MPA, the 2019 Spotlight Art Exhibition helped reignite a creative spark and pushed her to start a project she’d been considering for some time. During the show held on June 7 at C3 Lab, Simmons, UNC Charlotte’s assistant director of donor relations for engagement, exhibited portraits of her cats personified. The pieces were titled “Princess Lillith Von Simmons” and “Jester Leonardo DiCatrio.”

This was Simmons’ second year participating in the Spotlight show.

“I just had such a good experience with it last year,” said Simmons, who double majored in studio art, with a concentration in painting, and sociology at UNC Chapel Hill. “I thought it was really well done. It’s at a reputable gallery, so it’s a really worthwhile show for any artist to want to be a part of.”

The annual art exhibition, hosted by the UNC Charlotte Alumni Association, was created to showcase various forms of artwork from talented UNC Charlotte alumni and students. The show featured 22 artists, including those from the Belk College of Business, the College of Arts + Architecture, the Lee College of Engineering, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and the College of Computer and Informatics.

Sharon Dowell ’02 and Justin Driscoll ’09 curated the show.

John Hairston Jr. ’03 exhibited his paintings and created a piece on site as art lovers observed. It’s his way of educating the public about art. Hairston performs live art throughout Charlotte and creates work alongside students in his classroom at UNC Charlotte, where he is a part-time faculty member in the College of Arts + Architecture.

“I probably do it maybe three or four times a month, just depending on where I am,” Hairston said of his live art.

Hairston, who has been on the art scene for 20 years, said he wanted to perform live art at Spotlight to make art more “personable” to people who find it daunting.

“I came to represent,” Hairston said of his participation in the show. “This is my thing. This is who I am and this is what I do, and this is what I’ve been doing.”

Spotlight was the first art show that Mirelys Colon ’19 participated in since her graduation from the College of Arts + Architecture, where she earned a degree in studio art with a concentration in illustration. She was nervous but also excited about connecting with local artists.

Colon showcased her paintings and digital work that explore her Puerto Rican roots and issues related to diversity. For Colon, who had previously only participated in campus shows, Spotlight was a way to introduce herself to the greater Charlotte art community.

“Right now, I’m focusing on meeting people and getting into the community,” Colon said.