Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, in partnership with the Arts and Science Council, Charlotte Center City Partners and Partners for Parks, invite the public to the groundbreaking of Romare Bearden Park on Friday, Sept. 2 from 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Festivities will take place at the corner of Third and Church streets in uptown Charlotte. The groundbreaking ceremony, which falls on the 100th birthday of the famous artist, will offer unique experiences through an array of cultural activities ranging, from a musical performance from a local jazz band to an exhibit of youth art inspired by Romare Bearden. A Romare Bearden commemorative stamp display will also be featured. The schedule of events is as follows:
• 9 a.m. – Music from the 5 Story Building Jazz Band followed by St. Michael’s Episcopal and All Angels Church Choir
• 9:15 a.m. – Brief remarks from local dignitaries
• 9:55 a.m. – Ruth E. Sloane, playwright, poet and artistic director, will present a dramatic reading from excerpts of her original play: Romare Bearden 1911-1988
• 10:10 a.m. – Groundbreaking hosted by Captain Rob Brisley, Charlotte Fire Department, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Commission Chair
• 10:20 a.m. – Birthday cake will be served About Romare Bearden
Romare Bearden was born on September 2, 1911 in Charlotte and died in New York City on March 12, 1988, at the age of 76. He is best known for his richly textured collages, two of which appeared on the cover of Fortune and Time magazines in 1968. Bearden also designed costumes and sets for numerous dance theatres, including the Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre. Most of his work can be found in public collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Jerald Melberg Gallery in Charlotte. 
Festivities will take place at the corner of Third and Church streets in uptown Charlotte. The groundbreaking ceremony, which falls on the 100th birthday of the famous artist, will offer unique experiences through an array of cultural activities ranging, from a musical performance from a local jazz band to an exhibit of youth art inspired by Romare Bearden. A Romare Bearden commemorative stamp display will also be featured. The schedule of events is as follows:
• 9 a.m. – Music from the 5 Story Building Jazz Band followed by St. Michael’s Episcopal and All Angels Church Choir
• 9:15 a.m. – Brief remarks from local dignitaries
• 9:55 a.m. – Ruth E. Sloane, playwright, poet and artistic director, will present a dramatic reading from excerpts of her original play: Romare Bearden 1911-1988
• 10:10 a.m. – Groundbreaking hosted by Captain Rob Brisley, Charlotte Fire Department, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Commission Chair
• 10:20 a.m. – Birthday cake will be served About Romare Bearden
Romare Bearden was born on September 2, 1911 in Charlotte and died in New York City on March 12, 1988, at the age of 76. He is best known for his richly textured collages, two of which appeared on the cover of Fortune and Time magazines in 1968. Bearden also designed costumes and sets for numerous dance theatres, including the Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre. Most of his work can be found in public collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Jerald Melberg Gallery in Charlotte.
