The nonprofit turned to the community for support earlier this year when facing a funding crisis. Now, executive director Wendy Hickey says ArtPop is “thriving.”
CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
Every year, ArtPop Street Gallery selects 20 local artists to feature on 20 billboard spots. The Charlotte nonprofit aims to support artists and make art accessible to everyone in the community – but the creativity doesn’t stop when the billboard comes down. Then, it hits the runway.
Billboards transformed
The annual Upcycled Fashion Show brings new life to the billboards, using the billboard vinyl to design and sew new innovative outfits to be modeled and celebrated.
“To see the transformation of billboards that have been on the highway transformed in a couture fashion is just mind blowing in itself, but I think you’ll feel part of something really special,” ArtPop Executive Director Wendy Hickey said.
Hickey said the event typically sells out in advance, with hundreds of people in attendance each year.
It comes as the 501c3 nonprofit itself is experiencing new life.
‘We are thriving’
Earlier this year, ArtPop launched what it calls the Beige campaign, covering billboards and murals at the TAOH Outdoor Gallery with beige to spotlight what a community without art looks like.
“When we started off this year it was very difficult, like it is for many arts nonprofits right now or the nonprofit sector as a whole, but I have to tell you that our Beige campaign really touched the hearts of people in Charlotte and the community has rallied around our mission,” Hickey said.
The nonprofit was experiencing a funding crisis as their grant money expired. Hickey said the community stepped up, though.
“We are thriving,” she said. “Things are going fantastic, and I am standing here more grateful than I have ever been in 12 years for everything that has happened this year. The community is saying we want our local artists to thrive and succeed, and I’m just beside myself right now with gratitude.”
This year’s show
Will White, a fashion designer and illustrator, is one of the designers taking part in this year’s fashion show. He was in the ArtPop class of 2023 with his work featured on a billboard, then in 2023 made a menswear piece from his own billboard.
Hickey said typically the billboard artists are not the fashion show designers, but not only did White create his own piece, he modeled it.
White said being a part of the ArtPop community has had a “tremendous, beautiful effect” on his career.
“It’s just beautiful to be in community with such professionally graded artists that are at the tops of their games,” he said. “Just to be able to be a part of that grouping makes me feel really good about myself and my art.”
He said the annual fashion show not only merges art and fashion, but it spotlights interesting locations in the Queen City as the backdrop each year.
“Last year we were at the Sullenberger Museum, and it was probably the first time that a lot of people had been there, so they were already mesmerized by the surroundings, and now you add in all these beautiful fashion pieces that come down the runway,” White said. “People are always talking about it months down the line, even years down the line now.”
This year’s fashion show is being held at Blume Studios, hosted by fellow Charlotte arts nonprofit Blumenthal Arts.
“One of the most beautiful things about the Charlotte arts community is it’s not competitive and I love that,” Hickey said. “We all help each other, we all support each other, we share each other’s events and opportunities … So being a part of that and being a part of something cooperative and collaborative and community-based is just beautiful.”
Looking ahead
While the future of ArtPop was uncertain earlier this year, Hickey said things are looking up.
“We still need financial support, of course — I don’t know of a nonprofit that doesn’t, but things are just such an improvement from March of this year,” Hickey said.
Much like the collaborative relationship between ArtPop and Blumenthal Arts, Hickey said community members have been actively involved in helping the nonprofit carve out its next steps.
“They’re putting their hands in it and they’re putting their purse into it and they’re extending time with volunteer hours,” she said. “Honestly, it’s been heartwarming and heart-touching to see that, and I’m just, I say it every day how grateful I am and how proud I am to do this work.”
Tickets for the 2025 ArtPop Upcycled Fashion Show & Fundraiser are available online, and donations can be made to ArtPop on the nonprofit’s website.
Contact Emma Korynta at ekorynta@wcnc.com and follow her on Instagram and X .
