EACH MONTH, WITH THE HELP OF UNC CHARLOTTE & THE SAVAGE WAY ...
Charlotte Is Creative presents Bolts Of Inspiration — beautiful moss art bolts — to recognize innovative, creative Charlotteans working to help make the Queen City a more vibrant and loving place that urges all of us forward.Moss art was developed by The Savage Way and sponsored by UNC Charlotte is composed of moss-grown, preserved, and built into customized shapes on substrates. It can be shaped into logos, moss panels, entire wall pieces, and artistic motifs in a conference room. Read more about moss art here.Since the program's inception, more than 55 Charlotteans have been recognized with a Bolt of Inspiration. Here are some examples of our recent “Boltees”:2025 BOLT OF INSPIRATION WINNERS
Kathleen Finch
Co-Founder, CLT Street Art Collab
WEB: cltstreetartcollab.com
IG: @cltstreetartcollab
A nurse by training and artist by nature, Kathleen Finch is building a creative ecosystem where art heals, community thrives, and local artists are paid and celebrated. Through CLT Street Art Collab, she fuses wellness and street art to create joyful, sustaining collaborations.
Ana Ogbueze
Founder, NC Dance District
WEB: NCDanceDistrict.com
IG: @ncdancedistrict
Ana Ogbueze keeps Charlotte dancing — not just through movement, but by fueling hope and community for dancers often overlooked. Her creative vision turns second chances into center stage opportunities.
Jill Cole
Community Relations Manager, Carolina Panthers
WEB: Panthers.com
IG: @thejillyofalltrades
As a connector and advocate between the sports world and the community at large, Jill Cole amplifies Charlotte’s creative heartbeat by embedding it into NFL programming. She lets the universe guide her, but never misses a chance to walk beside a local artist or small business.
Patricia Massey Hoke
Executive Director, Women’s Impact Fund
WEB: womensimpactfund.org
LINKEDIN: Click here.
With deep empathy and purpose, Patricia Massey Hoke builds bridges across backgrounds and generations to power women-led philanthropy.
As she prepares to step into a new chapter of her career, her commitment to equity and connection remains firmly rooted in Charlotte, including the creative community she has championed for years.
Corine Olarte VanderVoort
Photographer/Videographer/Podcaster
WEB: corineolarte.com
LINKEDIN: Click here.
A queer Filipina photographer, Corine Olarte VanderVoort brings creatives together and connects them with resources and networks for shared success. Through fashion, event, and portrait photography, she helps people reveal their truest selves while championing their dreams.
Ju-Don Marshall
President & CEO of WFAE
WEB: wfae.org
LINKEDIN: Click here.
Ju-Don Marshall, president and CEO of WFAE, is dedicated to uplifting and promoting the arts, especially work by artists of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and media. A veteran journalist and media leader, she uses her platform to amplify voices, foster community engagement, and champion creative expression.
Liz Fitzgerald
Executive Director of Cabarrus Arts Council
WEB: cabarrusartscouncil.org
LINKEDIN: Click here.
Liz Fitzgerald, ED of Cabarrus Arts Council, is a fearless, inventive arts leader who has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for individual artists and diverse voices. Her long career at the Arts & Science Council was amazing, but over the past several years, her work in Concord and Cabarrus County has been inspiring and transformative.
Eric Ndelo
Founder of MacFly Fresh
WEB: macflyfresh.com
LINKEDIN: Click here.
Eric Ndelo, founder of MacFly Fresh, channels his Congolese heritage through screenprinting while empowering others to create with confidence and joy. A generous collaborator and teacher, he’s shared his craft with countless Charlotteans, inviting them to dive in, get messy and make something personal. Eric always leads with kindness, creativity and an open heart.