The McColl Center for Visual Art.

On Thursday, August 9th, the McColl Center for Visual Art (a Knight Arts grantee) welcomes five new artists just in time for the Democratic National Convention. Each of these artists will occupy a studio at the Center during August, working on a site-specific work that will be displayed for the “America Now” exhibition.

Meet the new Artists-in Residence:

Imminent Disaster (aka Robyn Hasty) is a multi-disciplinary artist perhaps best known for her large scale street art.  Her works often explore feminist themes, the impact of gentrification and even macabre topics like suicide. For “America Now,” Imminent Disaster’s piece will be constructed from fragile materials that will self-destruct over the course of the exhibition as a metaphor for the world’s political systems.

Greg Haberny is primarily an installation artist who explores the use of space to evoke excitement. Haberny uses pop culture references and historical figures in many of his works. His piece for “America Now” will address current national issues and incorporate materials from North Carolina.

Chris Stain takes inspiration from the 1980‘s graffiti movement to focus attention on America’s working class and inspire compassion for the less fortunate. Stain’s work for “America Now” will explore the concept of public protest.

Ben Wolf uses found objects and abandoned materials to create sculptural site-specific art works. Wolf’s work abstains from representational imagery to invite viewer participation. For “America Now,” Wolf will examine waste and excess in a large scale installation.

Amze Emmons is an illustrator and teacher who uses current events, archives and media images to explore strife during our time. He will invite viewer participation in his piece for “America Now,” using a polling station to create various types of voting situations around the world.

An artist-to-artist reception will be held at the McColl center this evening at 6 p.m. to meet the Artists in Residence. To see examples of these five artists’ work, check out the McColl Center’s Artists in Residence pages.

The McColl Center for Visual Art: 721 N. Tryon St.; Charlotte; 704-332-5535; www.mccollcenter.org. Open Thursday and Friday, 2-7 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. or by appointment.