Each month, with the help of OrthoCarolina and The Savage Way, we present a #BoltOfInspiration — beautiful moss art bolts — to Charlotteans who are working to help make the Queen City a more vibrant and loving place that urges all of us forward.

In October, we recognized Ricky Singh, an artist and head of high school at the Charlotte Lab School, for his work to beautify and unify the historic West End (with an emphasis on Beatties Ford Road) with art and community events. In early October, Ricky collaborated with the Charlotte Symphony, Lute West, and an array of creatives to produce a video addressing the need for access and representation of people of color in the arts as part of the Beatties Ford Strong project. The experience combined classical musicians performing next to one of the new West End murals along with DJs, dancers, spoken word artists and visual artists of color. The video will be screened across Charlotte in the coming months.

In October, Ricky worked with Charlotte Is Creative and others to paint a window mural at West End Fresh Seafood Market on Beatties Ford to support the #CountOnMeCLT COVID-19 health and safety initiative.

SEE MORE OF RICKY’S BRUSHTROKES

INSTAGRAM | TWITTER |LAB SCHOOL 

Each month, Charlotte Is Creative awards Queen City creatives with HUG (“Helpful Unfettered Gift”) micro-grants to help them move their passions and projects along. Eleven $250 HUGs were awarded in October from funds provided by HUG sponsors and individual donors. Before the end of the year, we anticipate awarding our 250th HUG to a creative Charlottean from funds provided by individual donors and HUG Sponsors: Google Fiber, T. Reid & Company, NoDa Brewing, Savvy + Co. Real Estate and the Knight Foundation.

Creative Community Engagement

• Rosalia Weiner – @redcalacastudio
• LaSonya Winstead – @itsharmonywines
• Melinda Erickson – @upstatecapoeira

Craft and Fashion

• Shenyata Clayborne – @charlottecustomts
• Dia Wins – @oximoronfash_on
• Jacquelyn Thomas – @kidsntechnology
• Erika Sosa – @charlitcustoms

Visual Art

• Juan de la Torre – @821.films

Creative Non-Profit

• Angela Kollmer – @upcycleartsclt
• Bae Hart – @_baehart

Music

• Alesa Moore – @alesam6

Give a HUG or Get a HUG

HUG Mircogrants are open to both nonprofit and for-profit projects and initiatives at work in the greater Charlotte area. To make a donation in any amount to the HUG program or to apply for a HUG, click here.