Colorfully Custom: Sneaker Painting

Enjoy an afternoon of transforming your sneakers with vibrant colors and patterns with award-winning artist Frankie Zombie.

Do you have a pair of sneakers that can use an upgrade? Join the Gantt Center for a special hands-on workshop, during which abstract painter Frankie Zombie will show participants how to use acrylic and leather paint to add customized designs to old (or new) footwear. With an assortment of color choices and paint brush sizes, participants can add names, cool shapes, color blocking, and much more! All supplies are included in your reservation, minus a pair of (preferably white) leather or canvas shoes that you are required to bring to the workshop. The experience will involve mostly leather paint, so leather shoes – such as Air Force 1s, Stan Smith Adidas, or even dress shoes – are needed for proper designing. All ages and experience levels are welcome!

This program is part of Charlotte Shout!, an aspirational multi-week festival designed to showcase our community by celebrating Charlotte's creativity and innovation through art, music, food, and ideas. For more details, visit charlotteshout.com.

Born in New York City and raised in South Carolina, Forbes featured artist Frankie Zombie has a focus of contemporary abstract art forms, tapping into the heart of interior design, thought provoking murals, automotive design, fashionable apparel, philanthropy, civil rights and much more. Leading him to be able to create for some of the world's beloved moguls such as Pharrell Williams, Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion, as well as networks like TNT, HBO, BET, and the NBA. While on a mission to spread his voice creatively in his community, Frankie's messages and morals began to be heavily welcomed by his city leading him to acknowledgements such as "40 Under 40" awards and business entrepreneurship. He participated in a creative Civil Rights Movement and helped create Charlotte's "Black Lives Matter" Mural and later organizing his own 16 Artist "Black Lives Matter" Mural in his hometown in South Carolina. As Frankie's art continues to travel to new heights from America to Ibiza, Italy, Canada and many other great places of the world, his message will always shout that of happiness, persistence, and change as it will forever start within.