Nalee Thao
Designer Extraordinaire + Mischief Maker
Instagram: @narly

There are thousands of Charlotte creatives doing innovative and exciting work all around the city. When we can get a moment of their time, we celebrate. And, we ask them silly questions. Today, it’s our creative collaborator and scion of the creative scene, Nalee Thao.

Nalee is a freelance graphic designer and full-time artist. She hails from the world of advertising working for agencies like Wray Ward and BooneOakley, and dedicates her free-time (if such a thing exists) to nurturing and growing the local art scene.

And now, our 5 ridiculous questions with Nalee.

Where is your favorite place to get lost in Charlotte?

These days, I just turn my phone on Do Not Disturb and go thrift shopping. I’ve literally gotten lost in Sleepy Poet and may have cried out for help once.

If you had your pick of a brand new pair of shoes or a set of new brush pens, which would you pick?

Shoes. Crazy, right? “She’s an artist, she’s gonna go for the brush pens!” Nope. I’d rather have the sparkly clean shoes destined for paint splatters!

Who was Charles Duke and what did he do?

This one I know because I’m a nerd! Charles Duke is the youngest person to walk the moon. *applause* Did I get it right? [EDITOR’S NOTE: Yup. She’s right. And, he was born in Charlotte.]

If you could mural on any building in Charlotte without fear of reprisal, what would it be?

The Discovery Place building! The exterior of the science and technology museum hasn’t changed much since it opened in the 80s. Let’s ignite the curiosity of passersby and create something fun and engaging to lure them in!

Charlotte needs a new nickname to trademark (one no one has ever seen). What is it?

“Under Construction”