WELCOME THE FALL 2026 CEI COHORT! 

Twice a year, the team at Charlotte Is Creative welcomes 15 creatives of all mediums and experience levels to join a group of over 100 Charlotte creatives as part of the Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI).

The 10-week program introduces artists and creative businesses to the practical tools and topics that can help them establish, sustain and scale their businesses in Charlotte. Just as importantly, CEI brings together creatives from across the city who are working toward the same dream: building a creative practice that can thrive. Together, the cohort connects, learns, builds and grows, while developing relationships with local creatives who are navigating many of the same questions, opportunities and challenges.

At its heart, CEI is about helping artists turn their creativity into a sustainable career – to pay the bills, feed the soul and activate our city.

Meet the creatives who are steeping into their entrepreneurial journey where everyone answered “how do you describe your art style/practice?”:

FALL 2026 COHORT 

Beth Stephens | Painter
IG: @bethcoxstephens
“Whimsical happy paintings!”

Braxton Bateman | Musician, Curator 
IG: @Mobettathursdays | @Braxxbateman
“My discipline spans from live instrumentation as well as curated events!”

Christian Davis | Tufting, Textile Arts
IG: @safensoundrugs
“I teach people how to make their own tufted art.”

Christopher “Sancho” Smalls | Photography, Multi-disciplinary 
IG: @sancho.smalls
“I bridge fine art and commercial photography to create empowering narratives of primarily minority subjects.”

Christopher Cuevas | Filmmaker, Videographer, Photographer 
IG: @focal4films
“I am a filmmaker who believes in my ability to emotionally move my audience.”

Evie Jordann | Pedestrian Artist
IG: @Evie_Jordann
“I’m a multi-disciplinary artist ranging from zine workshops, walking tours, and creating public art.”

Lindsay Medler | Visual Artist, Muralist 
IG: @imhereforplants_
“My ritualistic expression of my experiences and how I perceive and process them.”

Michael Ramirez | Video Game Developer
IG: @exit3a_thegame
“I make video games and experiment with all the creative mediums that go into video games.”

Moira Pirsch | Poetry
IG: @mepirsch
“Poet, scholar, and participatory artist creating blessings and experiences rooted in honoring our shared humanity.”

Niche Faulkner | Creative Arts, Cultural Dance 
IG: @shaemovement
“My creative work blends African dance, drum, choreography, and sound-healing for community wellness.”

Nicole Driscoll | Mixed Media, Photography, Film
IG: @nicoledfilms
“I use photography, video, and sculpture to create work exploring childhood memories and self.”

Paris Arthur | Illustrator, Animator, Sequential Artist 
IG: @birdieeeart
“Paris is a multi-disciplinary artist specializing in illustration, sequential art, and animation.”

Stephanie Chapman | Conceptual Artist
IG: @stephaniechapmanart
“My work blends abstract realism, history, experimentation, and collaboration to challenge perfectionism and spark conversation.”

Sydney Schertz | Photography
IG: @sydneyschertzphoto
“I photograph weddings, families, graduates on both film and digital formats.”

Tayjja Flowers | Artisan Desserts
IG: @taysty.treatz
“Hospitality with a focus in dessert experiences.”

JOIN THEM!

Seven of the ten CEI classes are open to the community for free. Join us at Do Greater Sparkhouse West (2400 Greenland Ave). See the schedule below to attend:

• Monday, September 14 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.: Leading with Resilience: Self-Care for Leaders with Sarah Olin & Elena Arecco Bridgmon of LUMO
• Monday, September 21 from 6 – 8 p.m.: Tax Workshop with Hannah Cole of Sunlight Tax
• Monday, September 28 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.: The Legalities with Karen Schuller Boardman of Alignment Legal
• Monday, October 5 from 6 – 8 p.m.: Pricing with Purpose & Small Business Basics with Kailey Izard Welsh
• Tuesday, October 13 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.: Grant-writing with Iván V. Garnica of the Arts & Science Council
• Monday, October 19 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.: It’s Your Creativity – Market it! with Makayla Binter of Charlotte Is Creative

Show up, learn something new and say congrats!