As part of our ongoing mission at Charlotte Is Creative to provide the programs, resources, training, connections and opportunities that emerging artists and creative entrepreneurs need to be supported and successful in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region, we regularly manage art projects for nonprofits and public organizations and private businesses.

We do this mission-oriented work to provide on-the-job learning opportunities for emerging creative entrepreneurs, artists and makers in the Charlotte area. This work provides them with paid work, experience, exposure to new business opportunities, and much-deserved publicity. The project below with Classroom Central is a recent example of this work.

Pencils. Possibilities. And Summer Perspiration.

New Mural at Classroom Central Celebrates Teachers and Students

“The mural is a symbol of the impact we’re making in partnership with our teachers. What better way to demonstrate this than to have teachers place their mark on our building?”
– Karen Calder, Executive Director of Classroom Central

After weeks of work under the summer sun, a team of eight local artists (5 of whom are Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public School art teachers) has put the final strokes on the side of Classroom Central on Wilkinson Blvd.

Now, when you pull into the parking lot at Classroom Central, you’ll be greeted by an explosion of color, energy and imagination — all blooming across a once-blank wall. Created to look like it was ripped out of a student’s notebook, the mural feels like a free-flowing stream of daydreamy doodles … and of creative possibility.

But make no mistake: This isn’t kid stuff.

Thanks to generous support from Link Logistics and project management from Charlotte Is Creative (publishers of The Biscuit), this mural was created to mark a powerful milestone — the reality that Classroom Central has distributed over $100 million in free supplies to area students and teachers since it opened in 2002.

That’s a lot of pencils, markers and notebooks. But for Executive Director Karen Calder, it’s about more than what goes in the backpack.

“It’s not just about the pencils – it’s about the possibilities they create,” Calder said.

A Mural Inspired by a Mission

The mural doesn’t shout. It sings — a chorus of student-centered visuals imagined by professional creatives and classroom heroes alike.

There are crayons building bright futures, books that open new worlds, musical notes of a song yet to be written and bold lines inviting every child to imagine what they could become and every teacher who remembers who they are helping transform their students’ ideas into tomorrow’s realities.

“We wanted to show what’s possible for students when they are equipped with the resources they need to succeed academically,” said Calder. “A #2 pencil and a dream can take children anywhere they want to go.”

Beyond aesthetics, the mural is personal. Calder said it energized her staff during the painting process – a fresh reminder of Classroom Central’s purpose.

“[O]ur team couldn’t wait to get to work to see the progress that had been made after hours on the mural,” said Calder. “It was so much fun for us to see it come to life.”

Handing the Brush to Art Teachers

It was equally important to Calder and her team that public school teachers be an important part of the mural team, providing them a professional opportunity outside the classroom and a chance to show off their creative chops 

“What better way to demonstrate our impact than to have teachers place their mark on our building?” said Calder.

As another school year begins, Classroom Central hopes the mural will send a message that educators need to hear loud and clear: You matter. You are seen. You are supported.

“We want teachers to feel like superheroes every time they visit CC,” Calder said.

 

Meet the Artists Behind the Wall

Classroom Central’s new mural wasn’t created by one hand — it was created by eight. Each artist brought their own unique voice, vision and vibe to the wall. Each sweated through the scorching summer heat to bring it to life.

Up next, we’ll introduce you to the team who turned a plain brick canvas into a technicolor tribute to education, imagination and community.

Austin Keith-Grant
WEB: austinkeithgrant.com
IG: @austinkeithgrant
EMAIL FOR COMMISSIONS: austin@mantrasupply.com

Austin is a visual artist and graphic designer open to collaborations on murals, private commissions and branding projects through his creative studio, Mantra Supply. His services include logos, illustration and web design. You can catch his work on YouTube and around town as he continues to grow his style and brand.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT:
“My portion of the wall is the largest and most centric piece, so it feels nice to tie everything together with the hardworking team I had the honor of working with.”

Ben Verner
IG: @cosmicpropaganda
EMAIL FOR COMMISSIONS: benverner@gmail.com

Muralist, painter, designer and illustrator Ben Verner is currently focused on production and design for a new album by The Wormholes. His work is featured on two murals at the Charleston Pour House in South Carolina. This year, he also hopes to write and illustrate a children’s book.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT:
“I loved seeing everyone’s work come to fruition throughout the process. It got really exciting towards the end when the client’s vision of the mural started to shine through.”

Carole Drummond-Johnson
CMS Art Teacher
WEB: cdjteachesart.com
IG: @cdjteachesart
EMAIL FOR COMMISSIONS: caroledj1@gmail.com

Visual artist Carole Drummond-Johnson is available for consultations via email and Instagram. She’s currently leading an online color theory workshop for the Guild of American Papercutters. Looking ahead, she hopes to facilitate more creative workshops, submit work to juried exhibits and relaunch her freelance graphic design career.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT:
“This one was a lot of fun and for a wonderful organization that serves teachers like myself.”

Megan Hill
CMS ART TEACHER
WEB: meganhillartistry.square.site
IG: @meganhillartistry
EMAIL FOR COMMISSIONS: meganhillartistry@gmail.com

Megan Hill, a visual artist and CMS art teacher based at the VAPA Center, creates murals for schools and public spaces, along with portraits of homes, pets and people. Her work will be featured in the Tenant Takeover exhibition in October at VAPA and in a new project with Reedy Creek Elementary’s mural club (@reedycreekcms).

ABOUT THIS PROJECT:
“It was incredibly fulfilling to be professionally hired to collaborate on a mural for an organization that has supported me since I moved to Charlotte in 2021. Being part of something that gives back to teachers felt full-circle and deeply meaningful.”

Laura Steffy
CMS Art Teacher
IG: @paintedrosedesigns
EMAIL FOR COMMISSIONS: paintedrosedesigns.steffy@gmail.com

Laura Steffy, a visual artist, takes commissions for paintings, murals and pet portraits. This was her first public mural, but you can spot her work at the Charlotte Regional Visitors Center and CLT Finds at The Market at 7th Street. She’ll also be featured at upcoming local markets.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT:
“Painting this mural was so enjoyable. It was great knowing that we are helping to make Charlotte more beautiful.”

Thelathia Singleton
CMS Art Teacher
WEB: giftedsistah.com
EMAIL FOR COMMISSIONS: 24bluestreet@gmail.com

Thelathia Singleton completed her first public mural through this projecIn her creative practice, she creates portraits and sketches for paint parties and murals for businesses, schools and homes. Her work is on view through July 26 at Nine Eighteen Nine Gallery at VAPA and at Foster Frame & Art Gallery.

In the coming year, she hopes to explore photography, secure studio space and take on more mural commissions.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT:
“The murals that I have created for my school I have done alone, so collaborating was definitely a challenge.”

Courtney Riley
CMS Art Teacher
WEB: linktr.ee/CSRileyTeach
IG: @csrileyteach
EMAIL: csriley3@gmail.com

Courtney Riley is a visual artist known for painting spirit rocks and creating scenery and props for theater productions. Her upcoming works include sets for The Addams Family at Rea Farms STEAM Academy, plus a mural and mobile installation in the school atrium.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT:
“Working with the lead artists and being able to talk through the process with them and be the student for a change was a great opportunity.”

Johari Huggins
WEB: joharihuggs.com
IG: @joharihuggs
EMAIL FOR COMMISSIONS: sup@joharihuggs.com

Johari is a professional visual artist available for wall and sidewalk murals, as well as hand lettering. She’s looking to schedule more public-facing projects and communal work over the next year.And, she’s an incoming fall cohort member of the Creative Entrepreneurs Iniative managed by Charlotte Is Creative.

ABOUT THIS PROJECT:
“It was wonderful! Everyone was so enthusiastic about bringing the design to life!”

 

ABOUT CHARLOTTE IS CREATIVE

Charlotte Is Creative is a 501(c) (3) helping provide funding, paid opportunities, networking and capacity-building training designed to help Charlotte-area creatives build their skills as small business owners, as well as artists.  Our Vision is for Charlotte to be known as the most welcoming and supportive community in the country for artists, makers and creative entrepreneurs.