Breaking Barriers

Plaza Midwood’s new rainbow-colored landmark

Our Lives, Our Culture, Our Time, by artist Gil Croy, was inspired by Charlotte’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. The LGBT Community Center of Charlotte began planning the piece more than a year ago, and eventually received funding through community donations and a grant from the Foundation for the Carolinas. This summer volunteers helped paint the landmark mural in rainbow colors on the outside of Plaza Midwood’s White Rabbit Books & Things. “The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, which has been really rewarding,” Croy says. “That’s made me realize our city is a lot less divided than I thought.”