University, institute environmental initiative win $10,000 grant

The KEEPING WATCH initiative, a three-year collaboration of historians, writers, artists, scientists and environmental experts, has gained more funding support. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation awarded UNC Charlotte’s College of Arts + Architecture $10,000 to support the program. The initiative – whose key partners at the College of Arts + Architecture and the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute – will spend three years exploring three environmental issues. The 2014 program on plastics kicked off in March with the Sustain Me Baby art exhibit at the Projective Eye Gallery at UNC Charlotte’s Center City Building and Is This Yours?, a collection of public art exhibits throughout Charlotte focused on recycling. Both exhibits are on display through June 26. KEEPING WATCH’s 2015 focus will be on urban streams. In 2016, the initiative will focus on air quality.

The most recent grant will be used to kickstart the 2015 KEEPING WATCH on CREEKS program, called City of Creeks, which will include art installations along creeks highlighting the history and environmental impact of creeks on the Charlotte region.

KEEPING WATCH is directed by Chris Cammaroto, director of galleries for the College of Arts + Architecture; June Lambla, an independent curator of Lambla artWORKS; and Mary Newsom, associate director for urban and regional affairs at the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute.