Focus Topic: Awe & Wonder

On Nov. 6, meet world-renowned artist Thomas Dambo in Charlotte for an inside look at the massive wooden trolls built from reclaimed materials.

Team Wonder and Cities of Awe Lab invite you on October 25, to explore how wonder can spark belonging and connection in our shared spaces.

Join The Gambrell Foundation for WonderSALON in NYC on October 23, launching the Cities of Awe Lab and celebrating awe as a force for connection.

The Gambrell Foundation partnered with Gehl in Copenhagen to uncover how design and care can shape cities where people flourish.

I'm heading abroad with the Gambrell Foundation, hoping to learn new ways of seeing. In Finland and Denmark I want to better understand how people create and nurture belonging in everyday life, and what those lessons might mean for us at home. “We are all responsible for bringing each other alive.” — Rowan Williams

What do the happiest countries in the world prioritize for kids? A reflection on joy, creativity, and how Charlotte can design a better childhood.

Check out highlights from the August 2025 trip to Washington, D.C. with this year's cohort of DifferenceMakers®.

Creativity and rigor require excellent company, there’s just no two ways about it. Our recent gathering in Charlotte was combustible, glorious fuel for the fire I have to think about, design, and make ways for people to live great lives. Even in the most dynamic places, folks tend to confine our imagination of a great […]

Meet Jess Schauble, the new Programming Manager for the new Main Library. Thanks to the generosity of the Gambrell Foundation, Jess will lead the development of adult signature programming for our flagship location.

Imagine if our cities went beyond meeting our basic needs. What if they made us feel supported, valued and cared for? How would our lives change if streets weren’t just for movement but for moments of spontaneous discovery? What if our city’s public spaces didn’t simply tolerate people using them but were designed to inspire, spark social connection, and strengthen bonds between neighbors?