Charlotte has a warm and joyful new reason to head Uptown. Corey Pemberton: Living Well is now on view at Mint Museum Uptown, on Level 3 at 500 South Tryon Street, through January 31, 2027. The exhibition brings together more than 70 works by Los Angeles-based artist Corey Pemberton, spanning painting, collage, blown glass sculpture, quilts and fiber arts — each piece strong on its own, and together forming a layered, affectionate portrait of everyday lived experience.
At the heart of the show are ordinary living spaces, lovingly observed. Pemberton depicts Black, queer, female and nonbinary people in the rooms where they rest and recharge, surrounded by the objects that reflect personality, memories and ambitions. His blown-glass works are a delight: carefully crafted replicas of familiar household objects sit alongside pieces that quote decorative heirlooms such as Murano glass and face jugs, turning the everyday into something precious and worth celebrating.
The exhibition is organized by The Mint Museum and curated by Jen Sudul Edwards, PhD, the Mint’s Chief Curator and Curator of Contemporary Art. Pemberton divides his time between painting, glassblowing and community work as co-founder and director of the nonprofit Crafting the Future, which opens doors in craft for artists of color — a spirit of welcome that runs through the whole show.
Want a slower visit? The Mint hosts a free Mindful Looking session in the exhibition on Wednesday, October 21, from 7 to 8 p.m., with guided close looking, breathing and shared observations. Mint Museum Uptown is open Tuesday and Thursday to Saturday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (until 9 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays) and Sunday 1–5 p.m. It is a happy, human show — and a perfect Uptown afternoon.
Photo: The Mint Museum
