NoDa Neighborhood (Neighborhood Energy Challenge Grant Winner's) Pimp My Rack Public Art Project and Exhibition

Six local artists and a group of students at Highland Mill Montessori School volunteered their time and painted the seven bike racks that were installed throughout the neighborhood.  The public was invited to view the artists work in progress and the finished products at an event that included a bike raffle, displays detailing information about each artist, the rack they were painting and where it would be installed in the NoDa neighborhood, and information about Theron Ross, NoDa's resident welder, who constructed the bike racks. The bike rack created by the students on their field day, as installed at Highland Mill Montessori School.

Attendees were invited to vote for their favorite paint job and enter a raffle to win a custom built bicycle donated by New Belgium Brewery.  Attendees 21+ were also invited to enjoy a complimentary New Belgium Brewery beer (IDs were checked at the entrance gate).  The bicycle was raffled off with the winning ticket belonging to local musician Javon Washington.  Attendee votes were counted and the winning paint job belonged to Nico Amortegui who painted the car frame rack which was installed at Amelie's French Cafe & Bakery on N. Davidson St.  'CABA'  and 'Sustain Charlotte' set up information tables at the event to get the word out about their organizations and promote bicycling in Charlotte.  Music during the event was provided by  DJ Hintzmann for the first few hours, then a band from School of Rock, a local youth music education program, played for the last few hours.  Racks were painted, everyone participated and a good time was had by all.

Amy Farris Ray, NoDa Greenification Committee Chair, said, "NoDa is a unique neighborhood in Charlotte and we tried to embody the nature of NoDa in our NEC grant project.  Combining the addition of seven bike racks around the neighborhood with a public art project seemed like the perfect combination to bring eco-conciousness to our artistic community.  We had a great turn out and a lot of fun at the 'Pimp My Rack' event, and I see the racks being used everyday as I travel through the neighborhood."

Check out the YouTube video from the event to see more: "Pimp My Rack Video"