Breathe. Create. Help Someone. Do it Again.
You likely woke up Wednesday morning to a sea of uncertainty. However you wanted this week to go, it probably didn’t go that way. You may be wondering what to do today … and tomorrow … and the day after that. We’ve all known that critical divisions exist in the country across a number of issues, beliefs and practices. Tuesday night brought that home again. While we don’t have all the answers, we know this: Creativity unites us. We meet each other through our creative expression. It can change hearts. It can change minds. And, it can, little by little, change the world. You’re creative. You have the power inside to make something good out of something upsetting. People know you’re creative. They’re looking to you to lead the way. So, lead. Lead by creating and by serving others. Our daily “to-do List” for the foreseeable future is: Breathe.
Create.
Help Someone.
Do it Again. The reality is this is how every day should go. This week is no different; it’s just that the whole world is watching and scrutinizing what we do next. (But no pressure!) Put your truth and your heart in what you create. Release it into the world. And, if it isn’t received immediately, do it again. Help others see your truth and hear your voice in what you create. In that, they may find something they’ve never seen before — in you and in themselves. Help other people by doing what you can do. And, keep doing, keep creating today … and tomorrow … and the day after that. That’s a beautiful way to spend a lifetime.
5 Days Left to Apply for FundsThe application for the Arts, Culture and Creativity Fund closes Tuesday 11/10 at 5PM. If you’re a Mecklenburg-based independent artist/creative or an arts/science/history nonprofit, apply for your COVID relief funds this weekend at www.InvestInCreatives.com. And, please share news of this funding opportunity with all the creatives you know.
 PHOTO CREDIT: Sancho Smalls Who Built Me? Dexter Jordan Was Composed by a Fellow ArtistCharlotte R & B singer Dexter Jordan is gifting us with his gorgeous voice and layered harmonies on the very week we all need the healing power of music. His new EP, Dexterity, is out today, and it’s got a lineup that will have listeners searching their souls and embracing the world around them as they see it through Jordan’s fresh eyes. The Biscuit’s Matt Olin caught up with Dexter for a quick “Who Built Me” conversation about his EP, the people behind it and the impact that mentorship from Jason Jet, a fellow CLT musician, has had on his rising career. 
CREATIVE OPPORTUNITY: Artists Sought for I HEART Rail TrailCalling all NC & SC artists, makers, and designers: “Can we get a hit? (Hit!) Boom bip with a brother named ‘Tip’ and we’re ready to flip” … and, the Rail Trail is ready to get lit. Again. By YOU. That’s right, the submission call is open for artists to participate in the second annual I Heart Rail Trail: Lights installation. It will feature a series of temporary artworks along the Rail Trail in South End next February. Like the inaugural year, the installations selected will enhance the trail through creative and innovative projects that use light as the primary medium. Apply by November 15.
Sonya Pfieffer, Owner
Elder Gallery of Contemporary ArtWe’re not exactly sure how many active criminal defense lawyers are also award-wining journalists and documentarians AND also own an art gallery, but we’re willing to bet it’s a pretty small number. In fact, we know of only one. And, she lives in Charlotte. Sonya Pfeiffer is a committed criminal defense and civil rights advocate. Art has always been an interest for her and she sees her work as an attorney intersecting beautifully with her passion for art. Between preparing for court and preparing for the opening of a new exhibition, “HOME,” at the gallery tonight (read more about it here), Sonya’s got a full plate right now. But, she made room on that full plate for Five Ridiculous Questions. Here’s an appetizer: Q: If you had a chance to exhibit “The Kramer” from Seinfeld … would you? What would the exhibition be called? A: Of course I would! Apparently “The Kramer” has mysteriously disappeared since the making of [the episode] The Letter. So exhibiting the work would be quite a coup. Obviously, the name of the exhibition would be “…Yet I Can’t Look Away.”
 PHOTO CREDIT: Brooke Brown A Wish Fulfilled with “Wildflowers on 12th”Driving to Northwest School of the Arts with her mother as a child, Charlotte artist, Melissa Wineman used to see hateful messages painted on a retaining wall along 12th Street (under I-277) and think, “One day, I’m going to paint that.” Last Month — years later — she did just that. Over 17 days in October, Melissa painted her mural, featuring North Carolina wildflowers and insects as part of the City of Charlotte’s Placemaking program. It was no small task. “I originally applied for what I thought was 50 feet,” she says. “But when we measured it, it was more like 175 feet.” Before you head out and see it for yourself, read Melissa’s story behind the mural and take a Photo Safari through the lens of photographer Brooke Brown. 
If you’ve been reading The Biscuit over the last few months, you know that artist and co-founder of the Charlotte Lab School, Ricky Singh, is already a friend of ours. But, this week, he introduced us to our new best friend, Tre Kirton, a 9th grade student at Charlotte Lab Upper School, which just opened its new campus a few months ago. Tre is a contributor to “Rise Up,” a November virtual performance series featuring original performances from students inspired by their desire to uplift themselves and the community around them. Click the image above to hear Tre’s spoken word poem, “Your Choice.” Tre wants us to think about using our imagination and hope in order to visualize and realize our future. Enjoy Tre’s performance and follow @CharlotteLabSchool to watch student performances all month long.
Okay. This one is a bit of a cheat. In the case of the Hope Tank, the question is more “Where ISN’T it?” than where it is. You’ll find the Tank exactly where it’s needed, where Charlotte’s homeless are living. After more than a year in development, the Hope Tank is a mobile shower and laundry center created by the local nonprofit, Hope Vibes. The organization’s mission is to bring awareness, hope and real solutions to the homeless epidemic. The Hope Tank also brings toilets and sinks to those living on the street. While there are other mobile shower vehicles in operation around the country, the Hope Tank was designed to offer beauty as well as function. For the Hope Vibes team, just providing mobile showers and laundry wasn’t enough. They incorporated art and beauty to provide a comfortable, attractive experience with a “home-like” feel. Fast Facts on the Hope Tank- When full of water, it weighs 18K-19K pounds
- There are two single-stall restrooms
- There are 3 sets of washer and dryers inside the Tank
- They use separate laundry bags to wash and dry for multiple people at the same time
- The colorful art inside the Tank was created by Frankie Zombie (the artist behind one of the “T’s” in Charlotte’s “Black Lives Matter” mural.)
Don’t go ’round hungry. If you missed the last batch of The Biscuit, don’t worry. We’ve kept it warm for you. This batch featured: - An interview with Liana Humphrey of Crisis Assistance Ministry on how COVID is impacting surprising CLT Neighborhoods
- Suggestions of new black-owned products from The Necessities Company
- A trip through illustrator Rich Barrett’s daily #Rocktober sketches of classic musicians
- The three biggest challenges facing Charlotte Shapers
- An introduction to our new best friend, The Bae Hive
- A photo safari from Brooke Brown of 2020’s Talking Walls installations
Click here to dig in, y‘all.
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