Dr. Larry Brady is a steward for art

explorers & ADVENTURES Being a Good Steward

Dr. Larry Brady shares his art collection with others

BY » Vanessa Infanzon PHOTOS COURTESY OF » Dr. Larry Brady Left: Dr. Larry Brady’s collection includes more than 500 pieces. Bottom: The doctor purchased a cottage in Denver on Lake Norman 20 years ago.

Dr. Larry Brady started collecting art 30 years ago. His eclectic collection, which includes artwork from Ruth Ava Lyons, Herb Jackson and Paul Sires, has grown to more than 500 pieces of two- and three-dimensional works. He attributes his initial interest in handmade objects to growing up in Asheville and being exposed to art festivals.

Penland School of Craft in the Blue Ridge Mountains drew Dr. Brady into the world of collecting. Over 30 years, he’s met and befriended artists such as Cynthia Bringle, Maud Gatewood and Richard Jolly. He’s served on Penland’s board of trustees from 2011 to 2019 and has created a scholarship for students.

“Every piece in my collection is personal,” explains Dr. Brady, 67. “I remember when I purchased it and the circumstances under which I purchased it. I’m always interested in who made it, what are the elements that went into it and the process of the piece’s creation.”

Dr. Brady is a neonatologist with Pediatrix Medical Group, which provides all the neonatal services for Novant Health hospitals in the Charlotte area. He recently stepped down from his 25-year position as medical director at Novant Health Hemby Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Presbyterian Medical Center. He continues to work in the NICU and is in his 34th year there.

About 20 pieces in Dr. Brady’s collection will be on view at the Bill and Patty Gorelick Gallery at Central Piedmont Community College. The exhibit will include a variety of artists and a combination of collage, paintings, photographs and sculptures. The show will run from January through June 2021 in the North Classroom Building on the Central Campus. The exhibit relocates to the newest Gorelick Gallery at the college’s Merancas Campus in Huntersville for the remainder of the year.

Gorelick Galleries are in non-traditional spaces such as lobbies and walkways. The Gorelicks’ intention was to create opportunities for art to be shared and appreciated by students, faculty and the community.

“Central Piedmont is grateful to artists and collectors such as Dr. Larry Brady who share their artworks with our students, faculty, staff, and visitors,” says Vanessa Shelton Stolen, executive director of development, institutional advancement at Central

Twenty pieces from the collection will be featured in the Bill and Patty Gorelick Galleries at Central Piedmont Community College early next year.

The eclectic collection includes paintings, engravings, photographs and sculptures made from glass, wood, paint, ceramic, paper, fiber and metal.

ESCAPE to the Lake

Although Dr. Larry Brady’s permanent residence is in Uptown Charlotte’s Fourth Ward, 20 years ago, he needed an escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. He purchased a cottage in Denver on Lake Norman for weekend getaways. He cooks with neighbors, frequenting Ferrucci’s Old Tyme Italian Market in Cornelius for ingredients. Dr. Brady’s garden provides hours of enjoyment to him. He recommends Dearness Gardens Nursery & Landscaping in Huntersville for supplies and plant advice. When he’s on his boat, he often heads to Lookout Shoals Dam, just below the Catawba River, to view wildlife.

Piedmont. “His passion for art and for supporting artists is a great example for our community.”

Dr. Brady’s long-time friend Bill Gorelick asked him to participate in loaning his artwork for exhibits.

“It was Bill’s vision to create these exhibition spaces where people didn’t have to pay to see art,” recalls Dr. Brady. “I didn’t realize how extensive and how much effort was going into it.”

Dr. Brady hopes his collection can bring calm to viewers and create a diversion from the stressful world around us. He also wants to bring awareness to places like Penland and recognition to the talented artists in the region. These exhibitions can spark people to research artists and educate themselves about how a particular piece is made.

“I feel like it’s my responsibility to be a good steward of the art until the next person comes along to take care of it,” says Dr. Brady. “During COVID, it would be great if people can see exhibitions more and focus on more positive things.”

For more information about the Bill and Patty Gorelick Gallery at Central Piedmont, visit blogs.cpcc.edu/ cpccartgalleries/pattyandbillgorelickgalleries. Guests may schedule a free appointment to view the gallery at North Classroom, 1320 Sam Ryburn Walk, Charlotte by calling 704.330.6869 or emailing foundation@cpcc.edu.