We had the good fortune of connecting with Wendy Hickey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wendy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was in the outdoor advertising (billboard) industry as a sales/marketing manager also in National Sales.. The creative that we worked with our clients on was always my true north. If I wasn’t training our sales staff or working directly with clients campaign/brand, you could find me in the creative department, always loved working directly with our designers. I always had a love for art and the creators, I would hear over and over again,”I don’t know how to market my art”, etc.
I was living in PA in 2002 working for Adams Outdoor Advertising and was elected to the Pocono Arts Council board of directors. It was then it occurred to me that I could gift local artists available billboard space. So it began. In 2013 I relocated to Charlotte, NC and went directly to our local arts council and pitched the idea, this is when it became ArtPop Street Gallery (officially). We became a nonprofit in 8/2015 and I have been living my hearts dream since. However, it took until May 1, 2018 to become an actual employee, I worked two full time day jobs one with a paycheck and one without to make this possible.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Our secret sauce or what sets us apart at ArtPop Street Gallery is my 20+ years of service in the billboard industry. This wonderful career I had, allowed me to cultivate relationships with billboard companies small/large as well as publicly traded who have said yes to our mission since our humble beginnings!

Was it easy, HELL NO! I gave every minute of my life said no to essentially everything, worked a full time career while building ArtPop Street Gallery in my living room all hours of the night.

I overcame the challenges by staying the course, never giving up, even when there were days that it was looking like we would have to close our doors, well we didn’t have a door, but you know what I mean.

What I want the world to know is to never give up, “follow your bliss” as they say and work tirelessly.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Charlotte, NC I would take you to Camp North End, we would go to first Fridays in SouthEnd and take in as much local art as possible. Take a mural tour all over Charlotte!

I would take you to eat at SOUL Gastro Lounge, which will be relocating soon, but no doubt will be great food, music and vibe.
We would go to everything possible in Plaza Midwood including the Thirsty Beaver at the top of the list!
We would tour all the ArtPop Street Gallery art of course!

We would go to concerts at the many music venues, Fillmore, the Neighborhood Theater, Evening Muse, etc.

We would have cocktails at Mariposa or Starlight on 22nd.

We would spend lots of hiking and biking time in the Lake Norman State Park!
Watching as many sunsets as possible!

Laughing, talking and reminiscing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The artists always deserve the credit, they fuel my soul.

However, we would not be where we are today without the support of the out of home (billboard) industry and ALL the donors who support our mission. Our board of directors.

9 official years later, we now have two staff members, Brooke and Dylan, they are taking our nonprofit to the next level.

Website: ArtPopStreetGallery.com

Instagram: @ArtPopStreetGallery

Other: Get outside, go see public art! You will find ArtPop on the highways, byways, local streets, the Charlotte airport and more!

Image Credits
Top left drone photo by David Bulfin (David Bulfin artist on billboard too) Photo w/digital/UPS truck by Matt Henesy (art by Liz Haywood) Newsstand photo no credit needed artist is Eva Crawford ArtPop Information card – no credit needed Mural Photo, artist – Abel Jackson – Photo by Alex Cason Photo of Wendy Hickey by Alex Cason Fashion Photo by Alex Cason – Model is Hanna aka Sable

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.