Slate of programs for the internationally acclaimed exhibition continues during its final month on view
The Mint Museum is convening a round table discussion of political and economic leaders to explore Charlotte’s growing role as an inland port as a complement to its internationally acclaimed exhibition Connecting the World: The Panama Canal at 100.
The FREE public event at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14 is one of several in the coming weeks as the Mint-organized exhibition nears the end of its run. Between now and the close of the exhibition on February 1, Mint Museum Uptown will also host musical performances, a film screening, gallery talks, and a public appearance by contemporary artist Mel Chin, who created an original commissioned installation in conjunction with the exhibition.
The round table discussion, entitled “Connecting Charlotte to the World,” will explore the ongoing importance of the Panama Canal and how its current expansion will impact the economy of the Charlotte region, especially considering the implementation of an intermodal facility at the Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. A reception begins at 6 p.m. on Jan. 14 and the discussion begins at 7 p.m. Panelists include:
• Astrid Chirinos, Chief Development Executive at the Latin American Economic Development Corporation
• Jack Christine, Deputy Aviation Director at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport
• Wayne Cooper, Honorary Consul of Mexico and Chairman of the N.C. District Export Council
• Paul J. Cozza, CEO of the North Carolina State Ports Authority
• John Paul Galles, Publisher of Greater Charlotte Biz
• Michael Gallis, Michael Gallis & Associates
• Jennifer Roberts, former commissioner and former Chair of the Mecklenburg County Commission
• Dan Roselli, Co-founder of Packard Place (Moderator)
• Chase Saunders, Special Counsel McNair Attorneys
• Dr. Jonathan Stuhlman, the Mint’s Senior Curator of American, Modern, and Contemporary Art
“This is a great opportunity to hear about the economic development future of our community,” said panel moderator Dan Roselli, co-founder of Packard Place.
A gallery tour will follow the discussion. “One of the most fascinating aspects of this exhibition has been the way in which its broad and timely subject of global interconnectivity has enabled the museum to interact with many new segments of Charlotte’s business community. Projects like Panama Canal at 100 demonstrate that art can be a central part of discussions about the region’s position in an increasingly interconnected world,” said Stuhlman.
The exhibition, organized to celebrate the centennial of the Canal’s opening in 1914, brings together for the first time the work of three American artists who traveled to Panama to paint and draw the Canal’s construction. It also contains a variety of historical materials exploring the broader public perception of the Canal and its impact, along with two new original works commissioned by the Mint. Contemporary artist Mel Chin, a North Carolina resident and former Artist-in-Residence at McColl Center for Art + Innovation, created the installation SEA to SEE which explores the environmental impacts of the Canal. Its commission was supported by a generous grant from The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. And the Mint commissioned New York Times best-selling author Anthony Doerr, recently a National Book Award finalist for his novel “All the Light We Cannot See,” to craft an original short story for the catalogue accompanying the exhibition. The bilingual exhibition, with gallery texts in both English and Spanish, has been visited by both the U.S. Ambassador to Panama and the Panamanian Ambassador to the United States, and has been covered widely by both English and Spanish-language media, including the major daily newspapers in Panama.
Additional upcoming public programs scheduled at Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts, 500 South Tryon Street, include:
“Travels through Latin America with Music,” January 18, 3-4 p.m. Inspired by the exhibition, local musician Ana Lucia Divins embarks on a journey through classic and contemporary Latin American music. Free for museum members or after museum admission.
“Movie and a Mint – The Roosevelts: An Intimate History,” January 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m. A gallery tour at 6:30 p.m. will include Edward Laning’s painting “T.R. in Panama,” depicting President Teddy Roosevelt’s historic visit to the Canal, followed by a screening of excerpts of the acclaimed Ken Burns PBS documentary on the Roosevelts. Free museum admission; special exhibition admission fee required for gallery tour.
“A Conversation with Artist Mel Chin,” February 1 at 3 p.m. As part of a last look on the exhibition’s final day, Chin leads a conversation on his vision behind his installation SEA to SEE.
More information on these and other events is available at mintmuseum.org/happenings.
Above image: Alson Skinner Clark (American, 1876-1949). In the Lock, Miraflores, 1913, oil on canvas. Private Collection, Princeton, New Jersey. L2010.40