CHARLOTTE, N.C. — We're starting to see the return of the performing arts, and art shows in general here in North Carolina. A new exhibit in Charlotte is giving people the chance to get up close and personal with some unique pieces of art. 

Rebecca Lipps, one of the artists, has been working for months on her interactive art installation. She is one of 10 Charlotte artists working on pieces for the Good Times Art Show. The show is designed to highlight local artists hit hard by the pandemic.

It's one of three art installation series that Pabst Blue Ribbon launched this year as part of the blue label's 1,000 Creators initiative, a commitment to commissioning work from 1,000 creators across the country who've been affected by the COVID pandemic.

“The thing about the artist is they are their own small business. So, they don’t have employees or anything to go off of to bring themselves back up," Lipps said. "A lot of times they don’t have locations. Studios closed, so artists were affected more individually.”

Lipps says at one point, she saw an 80% drop in business after COVID-19 forced her to cancel art shows, commissions and teaching opportunities. 

“When I cannot go out to shows, or make work for shows. It’s very hard. It’s almost like taking away part of your being," she said. 

Lipps says she's excited to see people walk through the gallery and interact with art, and see the passion artists like herself have put into their work. 

“This work actually does not come to life without people in here," she said. "So it’ll be nice to see people interact with it and bring the work to life.”

The Good Times Art Show opens Friday and runs through Monday, May 3. Tickets are free, but you are asked to reserve a timeslot to adhere to COVID-19 protocols.