5 Points + Trade Street Sculptures Complete!

We are thrilled to announce the completion of “Ever Upward,” along Trade Street and “Even Higher,” located at Five Points Plaza. As an outcome of this collaboration between the artist, J. Stacy Utley and us, these sculptures stand proud and tall to commemorate the rich history of the Historic West End and its community. The four “Ever Upward” sculptures represent the faith walk that the community exercised in order to press forward, marching along “the road UPWARD” from Uptown to Johnson C. Smith University’s Biddle Hall, the highest point in Charlotte. 

The “Even Higher” sculpture uplifts the intersection through preservation, inspiration, and highlighting significant historical moments and monuments of the Historic West End. “Even Higher” and “Ever Upward” are the outcome of a sustained collaboration that began with listening to inspiring, meaningful, and heartfelt stories from the community. The sculptural designs represent the fusion of past and present, rooted in history while embracing technology as a means of production. Each perforated backlit panel has a custom design with images of Dorothy Count Scoggins, Biddle Hall, and an artistic interpretation celebrating the legacy of the nearby Excelsior Club.