The soft sound of brushes swishing against the pavement fills the courtyard of the shelter as hues of green, teal, and soft purple begin to take shape. Circles radiate across the mural like ripples in water, imperfect but connected, each one symbolizing community, togetherness, and growth. At the bottom a lotus blooms, vibrant and strong, rising toward the light. Above it the figure of a woman, confident, radiant, and free, a visual embodiment of healing, resilience, and hope. 

"I wanted her to look like she's winning," says Charlotte native and artist Bunny Gregory, stepping back to admire the mural. "Life is going to be good." 

This new mural, created in partnership between Safe Alliance, Novant Health, Charlotte Is Creative, and Artist Bunny Gregory, is more than just a work of art. It's a symbol of what's possible when community, creativity, and compassion come together to support survivors of domestic violence. As part of Novant Health's Art of Remarkable Care Initiative and the new partnership with The Umbrella Center, this project represents a shared commitment to supporting survivors not only in their journeys toward safety, but also in their medical and emotional healing. Novant Health will be an on-site partner at The Umbrella Center offering community healthcare services.  

Meet Artist Bunny Gregory: Finding Healing Through Art 

"I never considered myself an artist until my 50s," Bunny says, smiling softly. "I started drawing and painting when I was about five. The reason I got so into art was because I was going through sexual abuse with my father. I could close my door and not be there. I could just create and paint. Art saved my life. It gave me a place to go when I had no place to go." 

Her honesty carries both weight and warmth. As a survivor, Bunny knows firsthand the power of creation as a form of survival. Art became her refuge, her language, and eventually, her calling. 

"Women traditionally have restraints put on them with age," she adds. "You're 30, you better start having kids. You're 40, you're not attractive anymore, you'd better get married. I bought it too. It was hard to unwrap that. But in the art world, creativity has no age. People can be creative at every stage of life, kids, young adults, and older people. Art reminds us of we all have something beautiful to express." 

Today, Bunny uses her gift to remind others, especially survivors, that healing and creativity are deeply intertwined. "Your art doesn't have to look like someone else's," she says. "It's yours." 

Telling Stories That Heal 

"Telling a story through art can reach so many more people," Bunny explains. "Art is universal. You don't have to speak the same language to understand it." 

Her work has always been rooted in storytelling, and this mural is no exception. Designed with her daughter, the mural captures the strength and beauty of survivors through symbolism. 

"The lotus was inspired by Safe Alliance," she says. "It represents resilience and strength, growing from the mud into the sunlight. And the circles? I put circles in everything. For me, they represent community. The connection. No circle I create is perfect, but neither is community. Real community connects." 

The Underground Art Bus: Taking Creativity on the Road 

Bunny's mission to make art accessible to everyone led her to create The Underground Art Bus, a traveling studio that brings free art experiences to children and families across Charlotte, especially in historically underserved neighborhoods. 

"I grew up in Charlotte. Being a Black woman in the 70s, Charlotte was still a rich old town, run by old money," she recalls. "I felt like an outcast. There wasn't anywhere for Black artists to be." 

She created The Underground to change that, a space for artists of all backgrounds and ages to connect and create through music. But she quickly realized there were children and families who couldn't make it to the events. 

"So I asked myself, What if I had a bus? I could bring art to them," she says. "The parents have been stoked to a level I never thought of. They'll say, 'This is so cool! When are you coming back?'" 

Starting with a red pickup truck named Rustina, Bunny grew her vision into a fully equipped bus, now being upgraded with solar panels and running water. "It's important that kids, especially those in neighborhoods like where I grew up, see that art can be for them too," she says. 

Learn more about The Underground Art Bus » 

"It's important to do things for ourselves and keep ourselves in mind," Bunny says. "Especially those of us with families and kids. We often neglect ourselves for so long. Enjoy life and do something for yourself." 

Through this mural, and through her art bus, her teaching, and her spirit, Bunny is helping others do just that. 

Together, Safe Alliance, Novant Health, and Artist Bunny are building something lasting: spaces of healing, connection, and hope, one brushstroke at a time.