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I Heart Rail Trail: Lights Up South End ~ Celebrating Local Artists

Temporary, Interactive Light Installations Pop Up Along the Rail Trail

By Charlotte Center City Partners February 22, 2021

I Heart Rail Trail: Lights, presented by U.S. Bank, is back and bigger this year. From February 19 – March 7, the Rail Trail will celebrate local art with these never-before-seen, interactive light installations. There’s no better way to experience South End. Stroll down the Rail Trail, enjoy one-of-a-kind art, take the perfect photo, grab a bite to eat or a drink and do it all again the next day. The installation footprint will span from Carson Blvd. to Atherton Mill.

 

  • Art Locations:
    • Light Beans by Luvly Moon - 1100 South plaza (at the apartment splash pad)
    • Threads by Kit Kube – Charlotte Urban Design Center plaza (1507 Camden Road)
    • Covid Confessionals by Rachel Dickey – Dimensional plaza (1515 S. Tryon)
    • Lover’s Lighthouse by Sharon Dowell & Chris Holston – 1616 “Coop” (1616 Camden Rd. above Leroy Fox)
    • Seating ReArrangements by Ellie Richards – Dilworth Artisan Station Plaza (118 E. Kingston Ave.)
    • Fairy Ring by Meredith Connelly – Atherton Plaza (2102 South Blvd.) 

 

As part of this unique experience, guests will be able to enjoy music, performers, and more surprises along the way. Attendees can also get free stuff from local South End businesses courtesy of U.B. Bank.

 

Friday 2/19:  

  • Central Coffee will give free hot chocolate + coffee: 5-6pm at their South End shop 

Saturday 2/20:  

  • OH Script Paper Co will give out greeting cards on the Rail Trail Chalkboard from 10 AM – 12PM – grab a card for a friend! 
  • Bookout Blooms will give out 100 roses at the South End Farmer’s Market at Atherton Mill  
  • Central Coffee to give free hot chocolate + coffee: 5-6pm at their South End shop 

Sunday 2/21:  

  • Pepperbox Doughnuts will give out free doughnuts to the first 100 customers who show a picture of what “Art they Heart” the most out of the interactive installations.  

Wednesday 2/24:

  • Oh Script Paper Co and Three Little Birds greeting cards on the Rail Trail Chalkboard in the afternoon – grab a card for a friend!  

Friday 2/26: 

  • Central Coffee to give free hot chocolate + coffee: 5-6pm at their shop 

Saturday 2/27: 

  • Bookout Blooms will give out 100 roses at the South End Farmer’s Market at Atherton Mill  
  • Brown Sugar Collab will provide 10 candles to be hidden along the Rail Trail for a fun scavenger hunt  
  • Central Coffee to give free hot chocolate + coffee: 5-6pm at their South End shop 
  • Three Little Birds greeting cards on the Rail Trail Chalkboard 

Sunday 2/28: 

  • Pepperbox Doughnuts will give out free doughnuts to the first 100 customers who show a picture of what “Art they Heart” the most out of the interactive installations.  

Friday 3/5:  

  • Central Coffee to give free hot chocolate + coffee: 5-6pm at their South End shop 

Saturday 3/6: 

  • Bookout Blooms will give out 100 roses at the South End Farmer’s Market at Atherton Mill  
  • Brown Sugar Collab will provide 10 candles to be hidden along the Rail Trail for a fun scavenger hunt  
  • Central Coffee to give free hot chocolate + coffee: 5-6pm at their South End shop 

Sunday 3/7:  

  • All day: Pepperbox Doughnuts to give out free doughnuts to the first 100 customers who show a picture of what “Art they Heart” the most out of the interactive installations.  

 

All attendees are encouraged to interact with the art but also to remember the three W’s: wait 6 feet apart, wash your hands and wear your masks. 

 

I Heart Rail Trail: Lights is part of the I Heart Rail Trail initiative, a partnership between the Charlotte Rail Trail, Charlotte Center City Partners and U.S. Bank. The initiative will feature events large and small to activate the Rail Trail and enhance the experience of this 3.5-mile linear park. In addition to sponsoring the I Heart Rail Trail initiative, U.S. Bank in 2019 contributed $1 million toward the planned construction of a pedestrian bridge that will connect the South End and Uptown portions of the Rail Trail. The partnership between U.S. Bank and the Charlotte Rail Trail is part of U.S. Bank’s Community Possible initiative. U.S. Bank's unified giving and engagement strategy Community Possible focuses on closing the gaps between people and possibility in the areas of Work, Home and Play. They believe the building blocks of all thriving communities where all things are possible include stable employment opportunities, a home to call your own, and a community connected through culture, arts, recreation and play. Visit www.usbank.com/community for more information.

 

The Rail Trail is envisioned to be an integrated public art experience that creates a unique, ever-changing destination, linking diverse neighborhoods in Charlotte that invites people of all ages and backgrounds to come together to discover, enjoy and explore. Thanks for the event also goes to 1100 South apartment complex, City of Charlotte, Cousins Properties, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Beacon Properties, White Point Partners and EDENS for their help in securing installation locations.