Students’ Artworks Decorate New Bojangles Headquarters
Prominently featured at the new Bojangles headquarters in southwest Charlotte are colorful artworks by 14 UNC Charlotte illustration students.
In March, Bojangles issued a call for proposals for “original artwork to be featured in our new Support Center office… pieces that celebrate our rich history, brand, and the joy of great food and fun that defines Bojangles.”
Assistant Professor of Illustration Nathaniel Underwood decided to integrate the call for art into an assignment in his “Narrative Illustration for Entertainment” class. The course’s final project included the theme and guidelines put forth by Bojangles, providing students “a unique professional practice opportunity to work with a corporate entity and create thoughtfully illustrated and designed solutions within a limited framework,” Underwood said.
Bojangles ultimately selected works by 14 of the students: Veronica Gallego Fleites, Josiah Martin, Maya Hutagalung, Patricia Lopez, Hannah Martin, Michelle Sobolewski, Elia De La Rosa Roc, Leah Parker, Michelle Watkins, Emma Cathey, Kim Zan, Alejandra Valle Ramos, Em Booger and Martin Johnston. The students each received a stipend from Bojangles.
“We couldn’t think of a better local university partner and program than UNC Charlotte and the College of Arts + Architecture.”
Stacey McCray, vice president of communications for Bojangles
The “biscuit-cutting” ceremony that opened the new headquarters on June 25 included Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Danté Anderson and Bojangles corporate leaders, employees and community partners. Seven of the UNC Charlotte artists were present to see their work displayed in a collection themed “It’s Bo-Time…Everywhere.” The artworks whimsically place Bojangles products and brand elements in different geographical, cultural and historical settings.
“I just had so much fun doing all the details of people enjoying it and living in that space,” Alejandra Valle Ramos said in an interview at the event. “I moved here about five years ago from Mexico. The first day I got here, [my family] was like, ‘Oh my god, you really got to go to Bojangles!’ It was the first thing I ate when I got here, so it just became a comfort place.”
Bojangles was founded in Charlotte in 1977 and now has more than 830 restaurants in 20 states.
“Bojangles is a big part of the city,” said Maya Hutagalung. “My family and I would always get Bojangles as kids. This is very much based in nostalgia, so I wanted to incorporate that and show that it feels like home.”
All photos courtesy of Bojangles.