Last Updated: 2/25/25

Charlotte is a wonderful city of creatives, makers and artists. Here are some amazing individuals we think you should get to know! We did.

FEBRUARY 2025

AUDREY BARAN
DANCE, CHOREOGRAPHY
📷 IG: @barandance
🌐 Website

Where do you go to get inspired in Charlotte?
“I find inspiration in supporting artists and friends working in disciplines other than my own. Emerging and established makers in live music and visual art constantly feed my creative mind and spark new ideas for future projects. Art is not a bubble. Get out there and see something!”

JESSIE JEFFERYS
VISUAL ARTIST
📷 IG: @hiigorjess

What’s a good piece of advice you’ve gotten from another creative?
“Focus on creating now. Worry about making it good later.’

I’m sure other creatives can relate to the struggle of perfectionism that paralyzes creativity. As a self-taught artist, jumping into projects has been the best way for me to improve my skills and see my ideas come to life.”

PRINCETON ESSICK
MUSICIAN, CREATIVE DIRECTION
📷 IG: @princetonmusica
🌐 Website

What’s a dream project you’d like to tackle soon?
“A dream project I’m excited to tackle in 2025 is my first book. Writing has always been a part of my creative process, but this marks a new chapter—pushing myself beyond music and marketing into storytelling in a different medium. It’s a fresh way for me to connect with audiences and challenge myself artistically. This project is just the beginning. I look forward to exploring how it can evolve into something even bigger within Charlotte’s creative scene.”

NICK SULLIVAN
PHOTOGRAPHER
🌐 Website

What are some creative goals you have over the next 12 months?
“I want to shoot more concerts. I was a musician before becoming a photographer, so I would love to bring those two passions together.”

ASHAKI ALI
VISUAL ARTIST
📷 IG: @artbyashaki
🌐 Website

What’s a good piece of advice you’ve gotten from another creative?
“A great piece of advice I’ve received from a fellow artist is to keep going—continue to create, dream and consider.”

ASHLEY WRIGHT
JOURNALING COACH
📷 IG: @strokesoffreedom
🌐 Website

What’s something that excites you about the creative community here?
“Something that excites me … is how limitless it is. Folks sincerely let themselves do and create what and how they want. That is beyond inspiring. It also reminds me that everyone gets to honor their talents in the way they see fit.”

CAT RAINS
COLLAGE ARTIST
📷 IG: @scatrains.artist
🌐 Website

What is a current challenge you’re experiencing in building your creative career here?
“Having worked alone as a full-time artist in my home studio for the past seven years, I now want to get OUT of my studio and connect with all types of artists. Although I’ve lived in the Charlotte area for the past 30+ years, my community of creatives is relatively small.”

STEVE MORRIS
VISUAL ARTIST
📷 IG: @sdotjames7
🌐 Website

What’s a dream project you’d like to tackle soon?
“Collaborating with a professional team to feature my designs on merchandise or teaching a painting class with a corporate company like Ally or Bank of America.”

TAMIKA BELL/CREATIVE SAFE SPACES
CERTIFIED THERAPEUTIC ART LIFE COACH
📷 IG: @creativesafespaces
🌐 Website

What keeps you inspired to create in the Charlotte area?
“The need I see for creatives seeking support, small businesses looking for creative mentorship and the opportunity to integrate creativity into holistic and mental wellness.”

SKYLAR SCHOCK
ACTOR, STAND-UP COMEDIAN, PRODUCER
🌐 Website

What are some creative goals you have over the next 12 months?

• Find event partners to host 1-3 Laugh Until You Cry stand-up comedy shows in and around Charlotte for Mental Health Awareness Month in May, as well as connect with potential sponsors.
• Collaborate with local writers and actors to create one-off performance nights of new works in unique formats.
• Produce Group Chat Girlies, a show mixing stand-up comedy with community building and conversations among women at an elevated venue.
• Develop Shakes on the Lake, a Lake Norman-based performance featuring scenes and sonnets from Shakespeare. This could evolve into full-scale classical productions on the lake in the summer.

THOMAS HALL
LEATHER CRAFTSMAN, DESIGNER
📷 IG: @studiohall_leather
🌐 Website

How can people experience your work in the next 3-6 months?

• Selected pieces of my work are for sale at OMJ Clothing in South End
• I am increasing my output of YouTube videos—both for entertainment and as tutorials for patterns I create and make available on my website: shopstudiohall.com

JILL MELYSSA
SCULPTURAL JEWELRY ARTIST
📷 IG: @jillmelyssa
🌐 Website

What keeps you inspired to create in the Charlotte area?
“As [Charlotte Is Creative has] mentioned about the art scene, ‘the paint is still wet’ in Charlotte. I’m motivated by the opportunities emerging as the region grows and the need for art gains more recognition. I also appreciate that the artist community remains intimate enough to foster meaningful connections.”

JANUARY 2025

Here are 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

NOW, IT’S YOUR TURN.

Share this page with a creative family member, friend or colleague we should know. You never know what a simple email or introduction can do for your favorite creative. Have them submit a creative profile HERE.