Charlotte’s South End has a history of scratching the Queen City’s art itch. From monthly gallery crawls to street murals, the neighborhood carves out time and space for prioritizing visual arts. With good reason, it’s an outstanding home for the Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art.
At the corner of South Tryon and Summit Avenue, the Elder Gallery occupies a large, brick building sporting rounded edges and floor to ceiling windows. Inside, the gallery is airy, light, and perfectly designed to showcase contemporary art.
Programming and Perspectives
Although the Elder Gallery specializes in fine glass, modern sculpture, and contemporary paintings, the space supports a diverse range of local, national, and international artists who produce museum-quality work. That is, in part, due to the fact that the gallery’s primary mission is to broaden perspectives and foster understanding. The Elder Gallery facilitates robust programming that creates opportunities for patrons to engage with featured artists and converse with fellow art appreciators.
“Even those among us who cannot put oil to canvas, carve stone into shape or coax molten glass into sculpture can appreciate and learn from the artist’s interpretation of the human experience,” says Sonya Pfeiffer.
In addition to helping new and seasoned collectors find the perfect piece, the Elder Gallery team also assists corporate clients, design professionals, and institutions seeking to establish or expand their collections. To assist in the selection process, the Gallery offers consulting services. These are designed to help business owners discover or commission the right pieces for their spaces.
The gallery is also available for rent for an art enthusiast’s special occasion. Birthday parties, wedding receptions, and corporate meetings have all unfolded amid scintillating exhibitions.
Other happenings at the Elder Gallery include serving as headquarters for the Charlotte Millennial Art Program. Also known as CLTMAPs, this Elder Gallery program is a networking and social group. It serves young professionals with an appreciation for the arts.
Then & Now at Elder
Founded by Larry Elder in 2017, the Elder Gallery is now under fresh leadership. Owner Sonya Pfeiffer, who was once a television journalist, is now at the helm. The multifaceted Pfeiffer spends the time she’s not at the gallery practicing civil rights and criminal defense law. Additionally, she has directed and produced documentaries, including an award-winning short called “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Social Justice.”
In the Elder Gallery office, she is joined by Gallery Manager Ashley Thurmond, Marketing Manager Madison Sumner, and Curatorial Advisor Crista Cammaroto. Together, the team encourages visitors to “come curious, leave inspired.”
In February, the Gallery will host Off the Plantation, in which local artists Carla Aaron-Lopez (kingcarla), Dammit Wesley, Fart.PDF, Kiana Mui, Kyle Mosher, and Sir Will use art to challenge capitalism and conformity.
