Entry No. 27 — the Charlotte file — filed under: outdoor
Spot the Disco Dog
Crafted by artist Elizabeth Laul Healey, this 8-foot-tall watchdog sculpture is wrapped entirely in shimmering disco-ball mirror tiles. Stationed at the entrance to the Village dog park at Daniel Stowe Conservancy, the reflective hound glows bright in the sunlight.
The story
Pull off South New Hope Road in Belmont toward the Daniel Stowe Conservancy, and you'll run into something much louder than native ferns and manicured botanical beds. Standing guard right at the entrance to the Village dog park is an eight-foot-tall hound clad entirely in shimmering disco-ball mirror tiles.
Crafted by artist Elizabeth Laul Healey, Spot is equal parts oversized watchdog and giant light reflector. When direct midday sun hits his mosaic skin, he scatters thousands of dancing flecks of light across the dirt, pine straw, and nearby treeline, turning an unassuming gravel parking area into a glittering, quiet absurdity.
While the formal conservatory grounds nearby feature traditional bronze works and structured flowerbeds, Spot sits unbothered at the edge of the woods. He works best as an unexpected roadside pit stop before you head down the Duke Kimbrell Trail along Lake Wylie.
What it's like
Drive out on a clear, sunny day if you want the full optical effect—cloud cover strips away the mirror flash that makes the sculpture stand out. You'll find Spot positioned right by the entry area for the Village dog park, which means you can pull right up and admire his coat without buying an admission ticket for the inner botanical grounds. It's a quick ten-minute photo stop unless you bring your dog or tie it into a longer hike along the lake.
The move: Drive out to Belmont to admire Spot's giant mirrored coat before setting off on a hike down the Duke Kimbrell Trail along Lake Wylie.
- 📍 Belmont
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 6500 S New Hope Rd, Belmont, NC 28012
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Pete the Troll — Pair one oversized outdoor art installation with another by heading four miles north to search out Thomas Dambo’s recycled-timber troll near the Catawba River.
- The Jailhouse Whiskey & Cigar Bar — Drive five miles into downtown Belmont after seeing Spot to grab a drink inside a converted 1960s police station and jail cell.
- The Schiele Museum of Natural History — Extend your Gaston County road trip west to Gastonia to check out an expansive collection of taxidermy and natural history oddities.
Good to know
Where is Spot the Disco Dog located?
He is stationed at the entrance to the Village dog park on the grounds of Daniel Stowe Conservancy (6500 S New Hope Rd) in Belmont.
Who created the sculpture?
The piece was created by artist Elizabeth Laul Healey.
Do I need to pay garden admission to see Spot?
No, Spot stands in the accessible outdoor dog park area outside the main conservatory ticket gate.
How tall is the Disco Dog?
The sculpture stands eight feet tall from paw to top of the head.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: gogastonnc.org · dsbg.org · danielstoweconservancy.org
last checked: 2026-07-21