The Haas brothers need to move to Charlotte. We’re ain’t taking “No” for an answer. PHOTO CREDIT: The Mint Museum
The Haas brothers saw design … & it opened up their eyes. They saw design.Finding artists who are twin brothers is rare. Finding twin artists on a mission to champion design is even rarer. But, when you can find twin artists who use Ace of Base as inspiration for the name of their exhibition … you drop what you’re doing and put a microphone in front of them. That’s exactly what we did with Nikki and Simon Haas, twin artists who just opened the first design exhibition at SOCO Gallery. On this week’s batch of The Biscuit Podcast, Matt Olin and Tim Miner chat with the Haas brothers about their childhood, the role of design and whimsey in art, how excited they are to see Charlotte’s budding creative community and … [pause for effect] … the possibility of them moving here. (Oh, we are going to make that happen!) 

 PHOTO CREDIT: SimplisticPhobia
This T Tells You Where to Stick Your “Exposure”Charlotte artist Will Jenkins (AKA “SimplisticPhobia”) is over being underpaid by folks telling him that he should take less money for his work in exchange for the exposure he’ll get. And, now, he has the T-shirt to express exactly how he feels in exactly the way he wants to say it. Read our interview with him about the “F$#@ Exposure” he’s selling.  PHOTO CREDIT: Sharon Dowell
More Pride at Home on the East SideEarlier this year, Rosalia Torres-Weiner added a mural to the Eastside Crossing shopping center. Last week, Sharon Dowell, Charlotte muralist and East Charlotte resident, created a companion piece that links up with Rosalia’s with help from fellow muralist, Irisol Gonzalez. We caught up with Sharon as she was already hard at work on a new mural for Velvet Taco in Optimist Hall to talk about her new work, what lies ahead and how making murals has changed in Charlotte since she started in 2008. Read what she had to say.
 
Maureen Krueger Reporter/Fill-in Anchor, WCNC-TV Freelance Writer INSTAGRAM | TWITTERFor 13 years, Michelle Boudin has been a force of nature in Charlotte media at NBC Charlotte where she is a senior reporter. She’s also a contributor to People magazine (and tons of other periodicals) and in her spare time runs a video production company focusing on telling good stories— especially highlighting Charlotte non-profits. And, now we ask Michelle — a serious journalist — our 5 ridiculous questions. Would you rather have a bad hair day on camera … or walk around the newsroom in wet clothes all day? “Been there, done that. It’s called ‘STORMCHASING.’ You can watch my hair grow exponentially from the 4pm newscast to the 6pm newscast in the rain. And, when I’m done, I come back to the newsroom soaking wet.” When NBC launches Peacock, which show will you binge and what flavor of ice cream will you eat while watching? “There’s a Lorne Michaels ‘behind the scenes’ docuseries in the works. I love any kind of storytelling where you really get to know someone. (I picture it being like the VH1 Behind the Music series from forever ago.) And Ben and Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk.” In 2024, the Mayor of Charlotte gives you the key to the city. How did to earn it? “Convinced the powers that be to rename the Queens/Queens/Providence/Providence intersection.” Whaaaaat? A rip in the space/time continuum allows you to ask Queen Charlotte one question. What do you ask her? “Uptown? Can’t we call it ‘downtown’ like every other city?” We need a caption for this photo of Baby Yoda, please help us. 
  CREDIT: AnderBerry Bracelets
We wish we were this cool at 13. (Actually, we wish we were this cool at 46.)You probably already know that Aaron Anderson of AnderBerry Bracelets is one of our favorite creatives in Charlotte. He’s a HUG micro-grant recipient and he killed it on WBTV’s QC @ 3 last month. On Tuesday, he made us proud again at the Harvey B. Gantt Center’s “Talk About It Tuesday” event. While asking a question, Aaron advocated for himself and other young entrepreneurs of color in Charlotte trying to make a better future for themselves while giving the entire audience a masterclass in salesmanship at the same time … all in under 3 minutes. Watch him own the room.
 Last week, media outlets all over the city were reeling over the possibility of transforming rail yards north of Uptown into Queens Park, a 200-acre park to rival Central Park. It’s a grand vision and an exciting idea that has a long road of negotiation or land swap with Norfolk Southern to make it happen. But, in the meantime, these completely fake Charlotteans (we’ll call them “Charlatans”) were dying to share their opinions on the matter.

 Tell us your Charlotte story — how you got here, what brought you back, what helped you find your tribe, what excites you … and what frustrates you. Give our Google voice mailbox a call (704) 835-0193 and let it rip. We may follow up with you for a story, pop it up on our social feeds or use your recording on the weekly Biscuit podcast.

Carolina Panthers Vs. New Orleans SaintsSo, ouch. Last week’s game against Atlanta was a pretty fowl experience. This Sunday, the Panthers are looking to pound the holy heck out of the N’Awlins Saints. They have the talent, but a little luck will help, too. That’s why Charlotte artist Nick V. Black, channeled a maneki-neko — a common Japanese figurine often believed to bring good luck — for this week’s #GameTimeGraphic. Please cut, paste and use this graphic to show your own online Panthers pride … and tag @cltiscreative and @nick.v.black. 

Don’t go around hungry, y’all. If you missed the last batch of The Biscuit, don’t worry. We’ve kept it warm for you … and full of Southern sassiness. Click here to dig in, y’all. The Biscuit is proudly sponsored by: |  |
 | |