It’s always cool to see our local publications honoring the area’s best visual art talent. Charlotte’s weekly Creative Loafing just announced their annual “Best of” awards, which are divided into two categories; Critic’s Picks, written by the editors, and Reader’s Picks, which are voted on by the community. Below we’ve compiled all the awards specific to visual arts and we’ve linked each award to our coverage of that artist or event. It’s been a good year for Charlotte arts and we’re glad that Creative Loafing is celebrating it!

Critics’ Picks

Best Solo Artist Showcase: Arthur Brouthers’ Chroma exhibit

Best Arts Collective Return: Genome Arts Collective

Best Art/Community/Environment Partnership: Particle Falls installation

Best Use Of Art As A Form Of Therapy: Charles Williams’ Continuum exhibits

Best Arts Haven: Goodyear Arts

Best New Public Art: Mural of deceased drag queen Brandy Alexander

Best Use Of A Spray Can: Fried Chicken Art Party

Best Unconventional Use Of A Bathroom: McColl Center for Art + Innovation’s Open Occupancy: Artists Respond to HB2

Best Way to Discover Emerging Artists: The Arts & Science Council’s Community-Supported Arts program

Readers’ Picks

Best Museum: Mint Museum Uptown

Best Art Gallery: Twenty-Two

Best Exhibit: 80×80 at Mint Museum and Body Worlds at Discovery Place

Best Art Space: C3 Lab

Best Display of Public Art: ArtPop

Best Visual Artist: Rosalia Torres-Weiner