A Fresh Canvas: Cooper Street Art Gallery Unveils New Banners

The Downtown Statesville Development Corporation’s (DSDC) Design Committee unveiled new artwork at the Cooper Street Art Gallery on Saturday, September 21st, at 6 PM as a finale to the Downtown Statesville Fall Art Crawl.

First introduced in October 2018, the gallery was created to add vibrant public art to downtown, making the area a more culturally engaging and welcoming space for visitors and residents. The featured artwork was chosen through public submissions, allowing the community to play an active role in shaping the visual landscape of Downtown Statesville.

Liz Petree, Community Engagement Manager, shared her excitement about this year’s event: “We are thrilled to continue this tradition of showcasing local talent and creativity. This public gallery represents more than just art on a wall—it’s a celebration of our community’s spirit and the cultural heartbeat of downtown.”

This year, the Design Committee received an impressive variety of submissions, ultimately selecting eight standout pieces to be featured. The artwork, printed on mesh banner material, is displayed on the support structure along the side of Nu-Way Shoes (114 E. Broad St.), giving the downtown area a fresh look. The banners that will be installed for our Rolling Out the Red Carpet Event:

• Winter’s Rest Over the Sharpe House by Christian Viera
• Intersection by M.E. Leaver 
• Sunset Over the Silos by Lisa Faust Mikeal
• Hometown Colors by Joey Dill
• Onto the Sun by Alan Mota
• Gateway to Canola Field by Wendy Bailey
• First Light at Fort Dobbs by J. Cody Owen
• N.B Mills Building circa 1890 by W.J. Stimpson