Levine Museum of the New South invites audiences to experience and help create #HomeCLT: People. Places. Promises. – a multilayered exhibit that explores Charlotte’s neighborhoods as they’ve grown and changed over time. Through the stories of people who have lived there, #HomeCLT is told in chapters and employs technology to augment reality and bring the stories of Charlotte’s neighborhoods alive. The exhibit is set to open on Feb. 27 with a member preview on Feb. 26.
“#HomeCLT honors Levine Museum’s commitment to use history to build community by giving voice to people who may not make headlines but whose stories reflect the issues, conflicts and triumphs of this growing, changing city,” said Museum President and CEO Kathryn Hill. “Because we’re experimenting with augmented reality as a way to add dimension to the stories and the history, we are launching this exhibit as a prototype, inviting audiences to explore, comment and contribute their own stories in the gallery.”
The first iteration of #HomeCLT, includes the stories of the Eastland Mall, Enderly Park, Hidden Valley, Dilworth, and Sedgefield neighborhoods. Through an augmented reality app developed by Dr. Ming-Chun Lee of UNC Charlotte’s School of Arts and Architecture, visitors will “see” the demographic changes in these neighborhoods occur over time as visuals and graphics are projected on their phones and other devices.
The exhibit includes a video recording booth where visitors can tell their own stories of the neighborhoods they have shaped and that have shaped them. It also features work by Charlotte photographer, Alvin C. Jacobs, Jr., and videographer, David Butler, and is made possible by generous support from lead sponsor, Crescent Communities.
“At a time when Charlotte is diving into the challenges that we face as a rapidly growing city, it’s important to take a meaningful look at the past,” said Todd Mansfield, CEO of Crescent Communities. “We carefully consider the unique story of each community we develop. With our legacy of building communities throughout the region since 1963, we have witnessed a great deal of the change highlighted by this exhibit, and we are inspired by the opportunity this exploration provides.”
Additional support from #HomeCLT is provided by Bank of America, Luquire George Andrews, Duke Energy, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Charlotte Observer, CLT 250, UNC Charlotte, and the Arts & Science Council. #HomeCLT is a long-term exhibit that will grow to include stories from a variety of new neighborhoods in coming months.