Although she has enjoyed making art throughout her life, Charlotte native Nellie Ashford really hit her stride in her 50s. Since then, she has received accolades for exhibitions of her work at the Levine Museum of The New South and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture, and was recently awarded a major commission for the new terminal at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Combining painting and collage, she often celebrates the unsung members of Charlotte’s community: children and teachers, artists, parents, musicians, and religious figures. Her work tells rich stories of her experiences, ranging from her memories of growing up in the South during the Jim Crow era to depictions of contemporary events. Nellie created a number of new works for her Constellation CLT installation.
Find more of Nellie’s work at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
