I Heart Rail Trail 2022

I Heart Rail Trail: Lights, presented by U.S. Bank, is back! From March 4th through March 20th, the Rail Trail will celebrate local art with never-before-seen interactive light installations. There’s no better way to experience South End. Stroll down the Rail Trail, enjoy one-of-a-kind art, take the perfect photo, grab a bite to eat or a drink and do it all again the next day. The installation footprint will span from Carson Blvd. to Atherton Mill.

Artists from North and South Carolina artists submit proposals to create works that incorporate light into the medium and concept in some way. This includes works such as sculpture, digital projections, wayfinding, or interactive solutions. Up to six incredible artists will be chosen to bring their ideas to life for the third installment of the I Heart Rail Trail: Lights.

For 2022 I Heart Rail Trail: Lights, Center City Partners will be collaborating with Lauren Harkey, owner/director of Hodges Taylor, an art consulting firm and gallery based in South End. Harkey works as an independent curator to facilitate the project, from creating the call to artists to consulting on the nuts and bolts of each installation.

As part of this unique experience, guests will be able to enjoy music, performers, and more surprises along the way. All attendees are encouraged to interact with the art but also to remember the three W’s: wait 6 feet apart, wash your hands and wear your masks.

I Heart Rail Trail: Lights is part of the I Heart Rail Trail initiative, a partnership between the Charlotte Rail Trail, Charlotte Center City Partners and U.S. Bank. The initiative will feature events large and small to activate the Rail Trail and enhance the experience of this 3.5-mile linear park. In addition to sponsoring the I Heart Rail Trail initiative, U.S. Bank in 2019 contributed $1 million toward the planned construction of a pedestrian bridge that will connect the South End and Uptown portions of the Rail Trail

“U.S. Bank is excited to partner with Charlotte Center City Partners and a group of amazing artists to brighten spirits in Charlotte with these light installations,” said Ashley Cumberbatch, Consumer & Business Banking District Manager for Charlotte. “We are proud to play a role in bringing this project to life, and we look forward to the eventual completion of the Rail Trail Pedestrian Bridge that will connect South End to Uptown.”

The partnership between U.S. Bank and the Charlotte Rail Trail is part of U.S. Bank’s Community Possible initiative. U.S. Bank's unified giving and engagement strategy Community Possible focuses on closing the gaps between people and possibility in the areas of Work, Home and Play. They believe the building blocks of all thriving communities where all things are possible include stable employment opportunities, a home to call your own, and a community connected through culture, arts, recreation and play. Visit www.usbank.com/community for more information.

The Rail Trail is envisioned to be an integrated public art experience that creates a unique, ever-changing destination, linking diverse neighborhoods in Charlotte that invites people of all ages and backgrounds to come together to discover, enjoy and explore. Thanks for the event also goes to 1100 South Urban Residences, City of Charlotte, Cousins Properties, Dimensional, Beacon Partners, White Point Partners and EDENS for their help in securing installation locations.