The Future is NOW is a multimedia installation we were commissioned to create for the SHOUT! Festival celebrating Charlotte’s 250th birthday.

The piece was designed to celebrate the children of our community, and encourage investment and engagement to give them the tools and support to realize their dreams. As Charlotte wrestles with issues such as poverty, homelessness, racism, and equality of opportunity, we must realize that real change begins with our children. We must expand ourselves to realize that we must care for all children as if they are our own. They are our future, and they are here right now.

As we celebrate Charlotte’s birthday, it is a time to not only reflect on the past, but look to the future. To imagine what Charlotte can become. A vision we can all use as our guiding principle. A city where there is prosperity and opportunity for all. And it begins with our children.

All of our children.

The Future is NOW.

The installation centers on portraits of 250 children from schools across the city, as well as quotes and audio of these children talking about their lives and their hopes and dreams. These photographs will be printed and used to wrap the exterior of the main branch of the public library starting May 9th, 2019 as part of the Charlotte Shout! festival.

This project is created in partnership with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library,  Charlotte Center City Partners, Share Charlotte, the InsideOut project, and the children of Charlotte!