Romero Britto to bring ‘Happy Art Movement’ to Charlotte with new SouthPark store opening
A pop artist and founder of the “Happy Art Movement” will debut his first North Carolina store in Charlotte in the midst of the holiday shopping season.
The BRITTO retail store will open Dec. 14 at SouthPark mall at 4400 Sharon Road. The opening will include a signing session with the Brazilian native and Miami contemporary artist Romero Britto at the store near Belk.
“I’m looking forward to greeting all the guests,” Britto told The Charlotte Observer on Tuesday. “People enjoy things that are happy.”
Britto blends pop art with cubism in paintings and sculptures to “inspire happiness.”
Britto said he’s been to Charlotte before during travels between upstate New York and Florida. “I have many art collectors there,” he said.
“I think people gravitate to my work because it doesn’t matter where you come from, we wake up and want happiness,” Britto said. “It’s direct, not complicated, and it’s right in your face.”
What to expect at BRITTO in Charlotte
BRITTO at SouthPark will carry fine art, collectibles and lifestyle brands designed by the artist. That includes everything from luggage, home decor and apparel to pet products and accessories.
The store will be one of BRITTO’s larger locations at about 4,000 square feet.
“It’s a destination for art lovers and shoppers alike,” said Holly Van Cleave, SouthPark mall director of marketing and business development.
SouthPark, owned and operated by Simon, is known for luxury stores like Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga and Ann and Sid Mashburn. SouthPark mall recently underwent a multimillion-dollar revamp in the West Plaza that included adding the brewery Suffolk Punch, greenspace and an inclusive play area.
BRITTO has opened three stores this year in other Simon-owned malls in Miami, Boca Raton, Florida, and Atlanta.
“We’ve worked closely with the Britto team to bring the vibrant and artistic retail experience to the Carolinas for the very first time,” Van Cleave said.
Who is Romero Britto?
Britto is known for his boldly colorful paintings influenced by masters including Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.
At age 23, Britto moved to Miami and started showing his artwork on sidewalks. Now at age 61, he is considered the most licensed and collected artist in history.
From Britto’s fine art to licensing and retail stores, here’s where the Happy Movement has spread:
▪ Britto’s paintings and sculptures have been exhibited in galleries and museums in over 120 countries.
▪ His paintings and sculptures are available at over 200 galleries around the world. Original works are listed for sale from $5,000 to $1 million.
▪ His extensive list of licensed collaborations includes Disney, Coca-Cola and Hasbro as well as BMW, Apple and Carnival Cruise Line.
▪ Britto was the first visual artist commissioned to create a half-time show for the Super Bowl. That was in 2007. He’s been the official artist of other iconic events, too, like FIFA World Cups, Olympic Games and the Kentucky Derby, according to Britto’s website.
▪ A list of famous art collectors of his works include former presidents Barack Obama and George H.W. Bush, King Charles III and Pope Francis, as well celebrities and athletes like Andre Agassi, Tom Brady, Oprah Winfrey and Elton John. He also has nearly 3 million followers on Instagram.
▪ BRITTO has seven locations, including stores and his studio, mostly in Florida, according to the artist’s website. But last month, Britto expanded to Atlanta and New Jersey. Britto said a line formed on Black Friday before the Short Hills, N.J., debuted. “I spent four hours signing. The opening was exhilarating,” he said.
Britto said he finds inspiration during travel, from food and “doing what I love.”
For now, he’s busy spreading his story about his art in a documentary premiering Thursday at a Regal theater in Miami. He’s also launching a skin product.
And Charlotte is part of BRITTO’s big expansion plan to open 200 retail stores.
“I love sharing my art with people,” Britto said. “It’s great to do something to bring joy to somebody else. I’ve been very blessed.”
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This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 5:48 AM with the headline "Romero Britto to bring ‘Happy Art Movement’ to Charlotte with new SouthPark store opening."