TheBiscuitNov282024

This season is all about gathering with family and loved ones—whether to enjoy time with those we love, share a meal, express gratitude … or all of the above. For some, it’s a day of football, preparing for Native American Heritage Day, or simply hoping not to drop the mac and cheese tray.

As we reflect on the year behind us, the Charlotte Is Creative team is grateful for this incredible community, the creative experiences we share, and the vibrant city we call home. We’re especially thankful for the people, places and moments that make Charlotte so unique and inspiring.

To that end, each of us on the CIC team took a moment to write down what we’re thankful for and three people, places or things they’d like to shout out and celebrate. Here’s what they had to share:

MAKAYLA BINTER – MAKERS & CREATORS MIXER

Courtesy of Brenden Motley

What am I thankful I get to do at Charlotte Is Creative?

Curating, organizing and hosting our quarterly Makers & Creators mixer is a huge honor. So many friendships and magical connections get made at the mixer that I get to learn and hear about later—from collaborations, band formations, new friendships and more. I am so thankful for the support that people have for this event.

Makers & Creators at Charlotte Beer Garden courtesy of Brenden Motley

[NOTE: Keep an eye open for our next Makers & Creators in February 2025!]

Three Things (or People) To Be Thankful For

Uptown CLT: I love Uptown for many reasons, but the major one is that I always learn something new every time I visit. I’m constantly in awe of the places tucked away in our city. From public art, green spaces, sports teams, museums, galleries and artist spaces to interconnected buildings, I am thankful we can go from skyscraper big-city vibes to small-town dive bars in minutes. It is not perfect, but I appreciate what Uptown offers and what it is evolving to become.
Snug Harbor: As one of my favorite local venues in Charlotte, Snug is always going to be a surprise. The lineup for performing artists is eclectic and encourages audiences to experience new music—whether you are an established fan or not—and welcomes all who enter. Plus, who doesn’t like affordable beverages?
Loyd Studios: The work the Loyd Brothers have put into their careers and businesses is a great example to all creatives that it is possible. They are calculated, intentional, and a great example of what it takes to become successful creatives in Charlotte. And, they give that information back to anyone who decides to show up for themselves. They help others succeed as they succeed.

MELISSA DORSCH – COFFEE WITH CREATIVES

Coffee With Creatives at The Long Room

What am I thankful I get to do at Charlotte Is Creative?

I’m thankful that, through our monthly Coffee With Creatives meet-ups, we’re able to provide a smaller platform for creatives to gather to meet, network and troubleshoot. We have seen friendships formed and collaborations between participants. That keeps me excited.

[NOTE: Follow us on Instagram and be on the lookout for our post about the monthly Coffee With Creatives. We take everyone who puts their name in the comments and a random list generator picks the 15 who are invited to join us!]

Three Things (or People) To Be Thankful For

Creatives We’ve Worked With in 2024: How can I pick just one? I am so lucky and thankful to be able to meet and work with amazing artistic people. My favorite part is getting to know brand-new creatives we have not yet worked with. Every one of them brings something exciting, new and fresh to CIC.
Charlotte Area Performing Arts Theatres: I love to watch a good show and am so grateful Charlotte has several theaters providing a space for local actors to shine. From musicals to plays, there is something for everyone who enjoys fresh and innovative stories.
HUG Grantees: There is so much creative talent in Charlotte. I am in awe of the projects Charlotteans are pursuing and so excited CIC (and I) get to be a small part of them.

MATT OLIN – CREATIVEMORNINGS/CHARLOTTE

CreativeMornings/Charlotte at UNC Charlotte Uptown
PHOTO CREDIT: Ari Photography (She is available for hire!)

What am I thankful I get to do at Charlotte Is Creative?

“I’m really grateful that—nine years in—we’ve created a space that always brings together long-time CreativeMornings diehards (AKA “Daybreak Legends”) with folks who are just now discovering us. It’s a beautiful, brave, inspiring experience that fills me with gratitude month after month.”

[NOTE: Looking to join the Daybreak Legends? Register for the next CreativeMornings/Charlotte HERE.]

Three Things (or People) To Be Thankful For

Yash Mistry: A talented, generous and multi-multi-hyphenate creative, Yash is a designer, engineer, videographer, editor, podcaster, musician, woodworker and so much more. He shows up and supports, overcomes incredible challenges, says “yes” and inspires. Yash is ONE. GOOD. DUDE.
Baran Dance: The more I watch this professional contemporary dance company (under the leadership of Audrey Ipapo Baran since 2012) do their work, the more I find myself awakened to the power and beauty of dance (support them at their upcoming event in December HERE).
The Gambrell Foundation: I am moved by the visionary work of this foundation and their entire team. Their thinking is big and bold, fueled by huge hearts and limitless imagination. And their spirit of “collaboration in exploration” is very special to behold.

SETU RAVAL – CHARLOTTE RECIPROCITY CIRCLES (CRC)

Charlotte Reciprocity Circles at Seoul Food Meat Company – Mill District

What am I thankful I get to do at Charlotte Is Creative?

This October, we celebrated a full year of piloting the Charlotte Reciprocity Circles (CRC) event—our social capital exchange meet-up. I am grateful for the energy created and shared in this gathering … and gathering! Coming together, showing up for one another, supporting ourselves and each other—what more can I ask for?

[NOTE: Kick off 2025 with us at the new year’s first CRC on Jan. 4. Register HERE for free.]

Three Things (or People) To Be Thankful For

Giovanna Torres: This year, she committed to pursuing her role as a community leader full-time. She grew and scaled her mission to celebrate the Latino community through film, launched the Charlotte Latino Film Festival, produced outdoor film screenings and so much more.
Independent Picture House (IPH): The people behind the curtain bringing the best of independent cinema to Charlotte are a gem. IPH is about community; bringing people together to experience the power of film through filmmaker talkbacks, resource fairs and old-fashioned movie-going. (And, with the opening of their new expansion, there’s more to love!)
CLTBlackOwned: Ashley and Maddie are two of the most collaborative leaders I’ve come across in Charlotte. Every time we interact, they come with open arms to engage in a meaningful way, support Black business owners at every turn and create intentional opportunities that bring people together.

TIM MINER – H.U.G. MICRO-GRANTS (Helpful Unfettered Gift)

CreativeMornings/Charlotte at Pleasant Grove Farm
PHOTO CREDIT: Heather Leibler ((She is available for hire!)

What am I thankful I get to do at Charlotte Is Creative?

“I’m thankful that—seven years in—we still get to donate $250 H.U.G. micro-grants every month. In fact, we’re just about to give our 500th H.U.G. thanks to the support of Hot Sake, Wray Ward, LISC, LPL Financial and incredible donations from individuals and companies. It’s awesome to be a small part of propelling so many creative success stories in the Queen City. But it’s the relationships we’ve formed along the way that are truly remarkable.”

Places To Be Thankful For

Arts+ and Activation Studios on the Plaza: We’re just starting to see how this old Presbyterian church is taking on new life in the community. Creative space that doesn’t break the bank for creatives is a precious resource here in Charlotte. This imaginative and powerful reuse of an important old building is so inspiring. Arts+ took a big leap on this … and I think it’ll pay off for all of us.
TAOH Outdoor Gallery: TAOH is a vibrant example of how creatives exercise their passion and overcome a lack of space and resources. With sheer will and experimental willingness, they’ve transformed a vacant lot into a playing field where experienced artists and those just getting started can jump into the game together, learn from and celebrate one another, and—best of all—play.
The Long Room: Matthew Seneca and Sarah Hayes Harkins built a space suited for dance, but they’ve invited everyone—from visual art to improv to Pertinacious Coffee—to make themselves at home.
VAPA Center: While the $1.5 million-plus renovations underway at VAPA are exciting, it’s the fact that the County has extended their lease for five more years—giving 300+ local creatives an affordable space to make their work and collaborate—that is the most exciting development.
Starlight Room and VisArt: Scrappy, eclectic, inviting, inspiring, challenging and … most of all … indomitable. Starlight Room and VisArt are examples of places that take on the characteristics of their founders: Ruth Ava Lyons, Paul Sires and Gina Stewart. These places provide a welcome respite and exciting launchpads for a wild host of creative expression.

Tim would also like to talk about Blume Studios, UNC Charlotte’s COLAB, QC Family Tree, spaces Kat Cornelius is establishing in Concord, the Fifth Floor at the Mint Uptown, Photo Outfitters, Loyd Studios and Do Greater’s Creative Lab Uptown … but, the sweet potato soufflé is getting cold and he’s well over his word count.

The Biscuit is proudly sponsored by: