Laura Alma McCarthy
Laura Alma McCarthy creates paintings by using tar and oil paint to create large scale abstract works. These materials combine to create interior landscapes - physical momentos of the unseen process of thought and emotion that occurs as we move through the world.
Born in Lynchburg, VA, Laura completed her undergraduate studies first with a BA in History from Davidson College in Davidson, NC and then went on to earn her BFA in painting with a Minor in Art History, from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Laura has been the recipient of various awards and residencies including an Emerging Artist Grant from the North Carolina Arts and Science Council and residencies at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, the Vermont Studio Center, McColl Center for Art and Innovation, and the Virginia Commonwealth University Studio Program.
In addition to her individual work, Laura has been integral in the founding of two artist collective groups in the Charlotte area. ARPA 10 and Core Visual Art. Arpa 10 was a group of 10 artists who met during a 2005 residency at the McColl Center for Art and Innovation. And, Core Visual Art - a group of former McColl Center Alumni. Laura believes in the power of the artistic community to support and nurture one another. The focus for each group was to work together to create opportunities to challenge and enhance each artist's individual practice while creating opportunities to advance their work.