Biscuit-Oct292024TWO CREATIVES STRUCK BY BOLTS OF INSPIRATION
At the September and October CreativeMornings/CLT gatherings in September and October, two Charlotte leaders – Kelsey Van Dove, director of educational innovation at Do Greater Charlotte, and Sherry Waters, founder of The Pauline Tea Bar Apothecary – were awarded a “Bolt of Inspiration” Award from Charlotte Is Creative.
This award, sponsored by UNC Charlotte and the Savage Way, is presented each month to individuals for their significant, ongoing support of our local creative community. Get to know more about these recipients below. 
KELSEY VAN DOVE
Do Greater FoundationVan Dove leads the charge at Do Greater Charlotte, a nonprofit that empowers underserved youth communities by providing access to creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship. Through her leadership, Van Dove and her team inspire the next generation of creative entrepreneurs with hands-on training and mentorship. Q&A with Van Dove
What inspired you to work in education?
Witnessing the lightbulb moments—the ones where you see the gears turning and creativity sparking. What was it about Do Greater that called you to work for them … other than founder William McNeely?
Do Greater is all about creating space for youth to explore, imagine, and design their future—and that’s a movement I couldn’t resist joining. Why is it important to you to work with and support local creatives?
Supporting local creatives means investing in a future where creativity and innovation thrive, and who doesn’t want to live in a vibrant and unique community surrounded by art, music, and fresh ideas? What keeps you going?
Caffeine :) 
SHERRY WATERS
The Pauline Tea Bar Apothecary
Waters cultivates peaceful, creative havens across Charlotte through her three Pauline Tea Bar locations, offering space for reflection and artistic expression. Her unwavering support of local artists through performances, exhibitions and workshops has made her a cornerstone of the Charlotte creative community.
What inspired you to create The Pauline Tea Bar Apothecary?
It was always my dream to create a space where people could connect with themselves, their creativity, and each other. The concept grew out of a desire to offer a peaceful refuge—a place where community could be built through shared experiences and quiet reflection. How does art play a role in the spaces you’ve created?
Art has always been integral to what we do. Whether it’s visual art, performance, or music, we want to ensure that our spaces encourage creative expression. Artists have the power to transform environments and inspire deeper thought, and we are proud to provide a platform for them. You’ve recently opened a third location. What’s the vision behind it?
Our third location (1017 Beatties Ford Road) builds on the foundation we’ve set, but it also expands into new areas. It’s more than just a tea bar—it’s a hub for creativity, wellness, and personal growth. I’m excited to continue supporting artists and the wider community through this new space. What advice would you give to creatives looking to find their own place in the world?
I always tell people to stay true to themselves. The world can be loud, but if you keep listening to your inner voice and sharing your unique gifts, you’ll find a community that resonates with your authenticity. 
SIX LOCAL CREATIVES H.U.G.GED IN OCTOBERAt CreativeMornings/Charlotte earlier this month, Charlotte Is Creative (publishers of The Biscuit), recognized six local creatives with a $250 H.U.G. (“Helpful Unfettered Gift”) micro-grant to assist them with the execution of a nonprofit or for-profit creative project: - Ashley Tate – @dancert8
Tate will use the HUG to pay for a movement artist to teach during a dance symposium in October. - Dominique Bostic-Arrington – @livelearnplay_OT
Bostic-Arrington will use the HUG to fund a mural at LiveLearnPlay. - James Divers – @jdiversphotodesign
Divers will use the HUG to purchase wireless lavalier microphones. - Makeda Johnson – @makedairoquois
Johnson will use the HUG to hire a videographer and photographer to create visuals for a single she has produced. - Philip McRorie – @daaclt
McRorie will use the HUG to pay for 10 hours of subsidized studio space. - Teil Taliesin – @teil_r
Taliesin will use the HUG to help cover repairs for her oboe.
GIVE A H.U.G. | GET A H.U.G.H.U.G. micro-grants are made possible with support from individual donors and corporate sponsors LISC, LPL Financial, Wray Ward, and Hot Sake Audio Studio. Additionally, poet Kurma Murrain sponsored a gift and performed an original poem to commemorate the occasion. And, as a surprise belated birthday present for Charlotte Is Creative co-founder, Tim Miner, friends, family, colleagues and loved ones pledged more than $5,100 to the H.U.G program from To apply for a H.U.G. or donate to a H.U.G., visit HUGGrant.com. 
It’s a busy time in the creative community. Here are some interesting (and important) items from across the media landscape: 
KRISTEN MIRANDA SIGNS OFF AT WBTVAfter 17 years as a reporter and producer at WBTV – including the creation of the QC Life morning and afternoon shows – Kristen Miranda has elected to leave the station to explore new challenges. To celebrate doing over 200 segments with local creatives together, Charlotte Is Creative’s Tim Miner and Matt Olin were invited to interview Miranda about her impact on local artists. WATCH HERE. TERRI WHITE ON THE CHARLOTTE IS CREATIVE PODCASTAfter the October gathering of CreativeMornings/Charlotte, Matt Olin and Tim Miner interviewed speaker Terri White, president and CEO of the Charlotte Museum of History. LISTEN HERE. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/terri-white/id1253749817?i=1000672260372] RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY AT THE VAPA CENTER
As reported earlier this year, Mecklenburg County is investing $1.7 million for structural improvements at the VAPA Center, as well as extending VAPA’s lease by five years. Those renovations began on Oct. 14. SEE MORE. VAPA CENTER COLLECTING SUPPLIES FOR WNC ARTISTSSpeaking of the VAPA Center, the artist community there is collecting art supplies to distribute to artists in Western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. SEE MORE. CHARLOTTE LEDGER ADDS “MOUNTAIN UPDATES”In a similar vein to the news item above, the Charlotte Ledger has added a new spin-off newsletter called “Mountain Updates” to keep readers informed about issues affecting the reconstruction and recovery of Western North Carolina. SUBSCRIBE HERE. QC NERVE REPORTS ON DOWN BALLOT CANDIDATESIt’s easy to focus on the upcoming presidential election, but there are many other issues and candidates on the ballot. To help voters prepare for the other ballot measures, QC Nerve has assembled a down ballot guide. READ HERE. THE INFINITE RUN EXTENDED TO JAN. 5 Blumenthal Arts has announced that its inaugural experience at the new Blume Studios – The Infinite, a virtual reality exploration filmed inside (and outside) of the International Space Station – will enjoy an extended run ending Jan. 5. SEE MORE. 
Three Open Art OpportunitiesThree exciting opportunities are available for local creatives. Make sure to apply before the deadlines. 
APPLICATIONS OPEN: Charlotte SHOUT! 2024
Due Oct. 30 | APPLY HEREPrepare for Charlotte SHOUT! taking place April 4-20, 2024. Local creatives can apply for several opportunities: - !con creation
- Easter Eggs on Parade
- Queen’s Greens Mini Golf
- Poster Competition
APPLICATIONS OPEN: McColl Center Studio Space Grant
Due Nov. 20 | APPLY HEREApplications are open for a four-month studio grant at McColl Center, running from Dec. 2024 to March 2025. This opportunity – a partnership between McColl Center and Charlotte Is Creative – is available to local visual artists. Selected grantees will receive access to a studio space within McColl Center’s rental program as well as the Center’s tools and workshop space. For more information, contact hello@charlotteiscreative.com 
APPLICATIONS OPEN: McColl Center Fall 2025 Residencies
Due Jan. 3 | APPLY HEREThe McColl Center is inviting creatives from across the globe to apply for a 2025 residency, running from Sept. 9 to Dec. 15, 2025. Selected artists will get: - Private accommodations and studio space
- Curatorial visits and networking opportunities
- A generous stipend and public relations support
Additionally, McColl Center is seeking a local artist for the Atrium Health residency, focused on healthcare and healing themes. This position invites work in any medium, including painting, sculpture, and film, with opportunities to engage with patients and staff. | The Biscuit is proudly sponsored by: |
 |
 |
 |
| 
