Trips for Kids Charlotte

Mural 2010

Arleigh Jenkins CommuteByBike.Com, Joey Emanual  Video

Arleigh Jenkins Flickr

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Michael Perrott Pictures

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Front page of  Local Section Friday Observer

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Observer Pictures

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Observer Final Touches Late Saturday

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Channel 14 story

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Our TFKC ReCyclery Mural Journey

It all began about two years ago when Trips for Kids Charlotte started thinking how we might let folks know, in a big way, that that we had a Bike ReCyclery at 15th & North Davidson.  As things started to unfold, it seemed as if this piece of iconic, community art was predestined to occur.  First came the idea of painting the mural in 24 hours from Fred Sexton a local cyclist, a TFKC ReCyclery customer, and idea man who applied Spencer Lueder’s 24 Hours of Booty event to a painting extravaganza. Next came the Arts & Science Council grant.  Annie Lambla, a wonderful volunteer who didn’t mind getting her hands dirty in the shop, agreed to shepherd the application process.  Her efforts paid off as we were awarded a $4,900.00 grant to bring together the community to create a mural that would be based around bicycles while using their physical form and mechanics as inspiration.

Next up was finding the artist, and we literally stumbled upon Will Puckett last June when we saw his floor mural at Amalie’s.  After a couple of meetings with him, it was obvious that he would bring a great talent and an understanding of the need to embrace the larger Community.  In November, Will presented his idea of the “Paint by Numbers” concept that would serve to enlist the Community’s help and participation as well as document our combined missions of getting kids on bikes through our long established Saturday morning Ride Program, as well as our Earn a Bike Program within the ReCyclery.

And our date was set… April 16-17^th, for 24 straight hours.

Thanks to our Sponsors, we soon had the fundamentals in place to move forward.

Lowe’s donated the pallet material, as we would actually paint 17 individual pallets and then install them on the wall as one complete mural; Valspar committed the needed 250 gallons of 42 different colors of paint; Barbizon supplied the lights; the M/S Society, the tents & tables; and finally Lady Jayne’s brought in the yummy treats..

Finally, we wanted to add some images to the mural to honor 20 special individuals who chose to become involved, and in doing so, have affected so many others, not only with TFKC and our programs, but within Charlotte’s larger bicycling community:

Neighborhood community activists such as Valerie Stepp from Optimist Park and Michael Harper from Lakewood, who identified our mountain bike Ride Program as a means to challenge their kids, to face and overcome obstacles.

We honor three 5^th grade teachers from Hidden Valley Elementary, Terri Nemeth, Laura Long, and Chris Bernard who have used our Ride Program for last 7 years to exponentially expand the walls of their classroom as a means to enhance and excite the minds of their students.

Tom Mathews and Patty Smith are on the wall too. Tom for his work with the Tarheel Trailblazers, without which we would not have the wonderful trails we use so often; and Patty for her untiring work with the Dirt Divas and connecting with our kids and contributing so much.

Charles Patton and Dempsey Miller of the Cannonball Cycling Team, two exemplary men who long ago saw and understood the values of our mission and who have contributed treasure and time to our programs and our kids.

We also took the opportunity to honor six individuals who have played a significant role in promoting cycling and all its many benefits for the greater good of our community.  Al Lizarazo, a gentle man and longtime owner of the Bike Gallery, who has spent 50 years putting Charlotteans on two wheels.  Neal Boyd, the ultimate bicycle promoter, who believes in cycling and breathes it everyday.   Ken Tippett, the City of Charlotte’s Bicycle Coordinator who for the last 7 years has toiled away at making Charlotte’s streets more bike friendly. Spencer Lueders, whose simple idea of a 24 Hour bike ride has evolved into a cause, bringing purpose to thousands.   Dan Faris and Martin Zimmerman, Directors of Charlotte’s Bicycle Alliance, who, individually and collectively, have successfully pushed & prodded local and state officials to finally see cycling as an enhancement to our Community.

Stuck among these fine folks are our founders, Michael Perrott, Paula Fricke and Keith Caviness, three individuals who heard of the initial Trips for Kids program in Marin County, CA., and independent of one another, were inspired to ask “Why not here?”

Finally, there’s Keith Sorensen and Harry Johnson, who over a cold beverage and cold pizza thought a ReCyclery might work in Charlotte.

And it all came together.

Under clear skies, over 350 “artists” came to contribute.  They came in groups, as couples, as families and individuals, as many kids as adults, to paint by number, a small part of a much larger story. It’s our story, beautifully portrayed, in 42 colors, for and by our Community.

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Click here for early mural images.