Biscuit1.17
FINDING COMMUNITY IN CONNECTIONS
MAKE. CREATIVE. FRIENDS.
You’re going to hear that challenge a lot in The Biscuit this year. (In fact, you already have.)
It’s what we’re tasking ourselves to do. And, it’s what we think is necessary to continue the growth of the creative community at all levels.
We’re always looking to make creative friends and meet new people within our community –through events, meet-ups, attending gatherings, or just having a coffee.
And, as we meet cool creatives you should follow, meet, hire or collaborate with, we’ll share them with you. We hope you’ll do likewise and let us know about yourself and the creatives you meet through our Creative Profile form HERE.
MEET 10 QUEEN CITY CREATIVES
From that list, we selected TEN creatives you should meet, follow and get to know NOW.
ASHLEY PROCTOR DAVIS
EMBROIDERY AND MIXED MEDIA
Web: www.robotmuseart.com
IG: @RobotMuseArt
What creative skill are you hoping to work on this year?
A creative skill I would love to build this year is tufting. I purchased a tufting gun but just haven’t had the time to get it set up. I’m looking forward to the new year and having/making time to start using it.
OUR CHALLENGE: We’re holding you to that, Ashley. You tuft and send photos … we’ll share them.
ARI GROSS – 6 CARDINAL
MUSICAL ARTIST, DJ AND SOUND ENGINEER
Web: www.6cardinal.com
IG: @6cardinal
What’s a dream project you’d like to tackle soon?
The creative community here in Charlotte is overall more accepting and willing to extend not only opportunities but funds to real artists looking to make an impact with their art. I appreciate that aspect to the fullest.
OUR CHALLENGE: Ari threw praised our community’s desire and ability to make funds and opportunities available to creatives. Ask yourself, how can you do that for him or for other creatives in 2025?
BRIAN MICHELOTTI
MURALIST AND PAINTER
Web: https://Brianmichelotti.art
IG: @hobo_husband
Who are some local creatives you’d like to collaborate with this year?
I would like to work with Darion Fleming, Matt Moore and Joey Obsoe.
OUR CHALLENGE: That’s a great list. And, we’ll make sure those three amazing artists see this.
ELIYAHU BENYSRAEL
MURALIST AND FINE ARTIST
Web: www.thebaregroundviqsualarts.com
IG: @thebaregroundvisualarts
What’s a dream project you’d like to tackle soon?
A dream project is a series of murals around Charlotte or getting into and selling at festivals in Charlotte and the region.
OUR CHALLENGE: Eliyahu, we challenge you to make a mural at TAOH Outdoor Gallery … and, readers, if you manage a festival, please reach out to Eliyahu with art opportunities. And, if you share those opportunities with us, we’ll get the word out to others, too.
KEN KNUDTSEN
ILLUSTRATOR AND MURALIST
EMAIL: kknudtsen@yahoo.com
Instagram: @kenknudtsen
What creative skill are you hoping to work on this year?
Building up client base for 2025
OUR CHALLENGE: We have upcoming trainings for creatives on just that topic. Keep an eye peeled for our next Power Panel on pricing and our classes on marketing. We expect your attendance. All our classes will be free.
LEE KO
SCULPTURE AND INSTALLATION
Web: www.workbylee.com
IG: @workbylee
Who are some local creatives you’d like to collaborate with this year?
I am working on a project that includes 100 artists and art community supporters in and around the Charlotte area. The project name is The Hands Project. I would love to meet artists and art community patrons/fans willing to support others, inspire the next generation and have a strong artistic practice/philosophy.
OUR CHALLENGE: Lee is openly inviting folks to get involved with The Hands Project. Reach out to her directly via email here.
MOLLY PARTYKA
PAINTER AND ART CLASS FACILITATOR
Email: partykamolly@gmail.com
Web: www.mollypartyka.com
What creative skill are you hoping to work on this year?
The creative skill I hope to work on this year is sales and marketing.
OUR CHALLENGE: Molly, as an incoming member of the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative spring cohort (more on that later), you’ll have a lot to dive into there. We challenge you to dive deep. And, we’ll dive with you.
DJPERS3VERE
DJ
Web: Linktree
IG: @djpers3vere
What’s something that excites you about the creative community here?
I’ve been fortunate to witness its growth — from city-wide murals to events dedicated to any vibe you can think of to watching local artists grow in their passion and presence to being able to manifest my career and work with some of the most amazing creatives over the years. All of this has truly been a blessing and a testament to the talent in the city of Charlotte.
OUR CHALLENGE: If you’ve never seen DJPERS3VERE in action, get out there and see her. And, let’s all work to create and support events and initiatives that inspire her.
SALLY STOKES
EVENT COORDINATOR
Web: www.playmorecharlotte.com
IG: @PlaymoreCharlotte
What is a current challenge you’re experiencing in building your creative career here?
My work exists in this lovely but sort of nebulous space between event planning and immersive art. Many people are attracted to ball pits, parachute games, etc…. but confused by it simultaneously. My biggest challenge so far has been helping folks understand what I’m doing and why …and then helping them navigate their feelings towards [playing as an adult].
We’re so conditioned to believe that adulthood should be stark and serious or that we can’t be effective. Responsible adults who create positive change or act against social injustice, while also prioritizing our own joy [and time for play]. My challenge is helping them understand the depth and welcome the joy they deserve.
OUR CHALLENGE: Okay, we’re challenging the Charlotte Is Creative team here … let’s get out there and play with Playmore! Who wants to join us?
ROSEMARY DYKSTRA
PAINTER
Email: rosycurtin@aol.com
Web: rosemarydykstraartist.com
What’s a dream project you’d like to tackle soon?
I would love to be commissioned to create and furnish a commercial building with large, brightly colored, fun, whimsical pieces.
OUR CHALLENGE: Okay commercial real estate folks, who needs an artist’s touch on a property you’re managing?
WFAE WANTS YOUR THOUGHTS
Through Jan. 25, WFAE, the Charlotte-based public radio station, is conducting a community response survey to gather input from residents and listeners in Charlotte, Hickory, Southern Pines, Laurinburg and surrounding counties. The survey seeks to identify the topics that matter most to the community. All are invited to share their thoughts, but, at The Biscuit, we hope you’ll share your interest in more arts and culture coverage.
It’s been our experience that WFAE has provided strong news support for the cultural community, but there can never be enough.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Please be prepared that you will need to write “arts and culture coverage” in the provided space for “other” under topics important to you.]
CLICK HERE to take the 1-2 minute survey by Jan. 25.
CAST IS BACK! FIRST PRODUCTION IN 10 YEARS THIS FEBRUARY
Long live local theater! Carolina Actor’s Studio Theatre (CAST) is returning to the Charlotte arts scene after a decade-long hiatus.
This week, CAST announced it is partnering with Actors Collaborative Theatre to produce Alabaster, a Pulitzer-nominated, Calicchio Prize-winning play by Audrey Cefaly.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Alabaster is also listed with The Kilroys is a collective of playwrights, directors and producers in Los Angeles and New York championing works that espouse gender parity].
The darkly comic drama tells the story of June, a tornado survivor in Alabaster, AL. Her life collides with a photographer visiting Alabaster to document her scars. The play follows Jane as she undertakes a journey of healing, art and resilience … accompanied by her goats.
“Ten years is perhaps enough time for wounds to heal and scars to become art,” said Michael Simmons, co-founder and director of CAST. “Alabaster mirrors that journey, reminding us of the beauty that can emerge from adversity.”
During its previous tenure, CAST was well-known for producing experiential, thought-provoking and boundary-pushing theater. We at The Biscuit are excited to see their return to the local theater scene. We will share a deeper look into CAST and this production in the coming weeks.
MAKE YOUR PLANS:
Alabaster by Audrey Cefaly.
? Feb. 27 – March 16, 2025
? Mint Museum, Van Every Theatre
2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC
? Tickets available at nccast.net.
WE HIRED SONOROUS WAVE
Throughout 2025, we will feature creatives we’re proud to have hired and worked with in the course of our work at Charlotte Is Creative.
Today, we suggest you get to know Salif Hidone, one of the founders of Sonorous Wave. We’ve worked with Salif and his team to provide audio-visual support at events like One Band and the Makers & Creators Mixer. But, he has also aided us in securing crowd-favorite DJs and musicians for our live events.
As a musician himself, Salif has deep knowledge of the musical talent and a community of talented musicians he’s cultivated in Charlotte. Combine that with the equipment and knowledge Salif brings to the table, and you get a powerful partner who matches the quality of sound with the quality fo performance.
CONTACT SALIF AND SONOROUS WAVE
WEB: Linktree
IG: @sonorous.wave