Araik Minasyan, like many artists, first felt the pull of creative expression when he was a child. He took art classes to explore drawing, sculpture, and painting techniques. He then… The post The Art of Araik Minasyan Art appeared first on QC Exclusive ..read more

Anne Neilson Fine Art celebrated ten years this past May. Founded in 2014 by Anne Neilson, their mission is to be platform to use art and give back. ANFA gives a… The post Giving Back Through Art: Anne Neilson Celebrates 10 Years appeared first on QC Exclusive ..read more

In 1980, the North Carolina Arts Council committed to facilitating the establishment of a local arts council in every Carolina county. This led, in 1982, to the creation of the… The post Getting to Know Cabarrus Arts Council appeared first on QC Exclusive ..read more

Artist Berkley Wooten’s creations are dynamic—full of movement and layers that she renders using palette knives, brushes, tools, and even her fingers to scratch and manipulate the wood panels — “because paintings are nothing if not alive,” she says. Berkley, who paints primarily with acrylic and ink, graduated from the University of North Carolina. Today, she serves as a board member on the Alamance Arts Council. She says she can’t remember a time when art wasn’t a part of her life, but it wasn’t until her early years of motherhood that she started to pursue it more intensely.  “I felt li ..read more

“Mary, if you put effort into this, you could be really good.” This is what a teacher told Mary Benson the artist during a required art class in high school. For Benson, who had never considered herself artistic, gravitating instead toward athletics, it kicked off a radical shift in perspective. “That moment really inspired me. And I gained a love for it that has become my greatest passion since,” said Benson. Benson continued to take art classes throughout high school, exploring a wide range of styles and mediums without the pressure to be good at or specialize in any particular one. Her stud ..read more

CLT NC woodworker Emily Berger has spent the majority of her professional life in the creative sector, doing everything from graphic design to managing a music booking office to custom art framing. It’s no surprise, then, to learn that she was a very creative child. She drew and painted and explored all manner of outlets under the supervision and encouragement of her mother. “I always found myself coming back to working with my hands,” says Berger. She started woodcarving by accident. Ten years ago, she completed a yoga teacher training course and felt inspired to make a gift for her instructo ..read more

Shed Brand Studio is a unique and historic member of the stained glass Charlotte NC artistic community. These stained glass experts have been providing their services for over 50 years. In the studio today, Shaylor and Natalie Knight create everything from custom leaded and stained glass windows and custom solid wood doors to cabinets, table tops, and custom jewelry.  Shaylor Knight’s grandparents and parents first started the business making stained glass windows in a sheep shed in Charlotte in 1969. Slowly, the Knights moved into custom doors and restoration projects for decades-old sta ..read more

Charlotte lawyer Jason Taylor of The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor rode in style during the annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride on May 19th. This worldwide event brought classic motorcycle enthusiasts together to raise money that supports men’s health initiatives. What The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Is All About Founded in Sydney, Australia, in 2012, Mark Hawwa created The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride after seeing someone riding a motorcycle in a suit while watching Mad Men.  This themed ride is not just a gathering of classic and vintage motorcycle enthusiasts. It’s a powerful c ..read more

Anderson Outreach, a Charlotte-based charitable organization, is making a difference in the lives of equity-impacted youth across the Carolinas. The Anderson Outreach team is committed to supporting equity-impacted youth as they transition from group homes and treatment facilities. They help them triumph over mental health challenges and food insecurities.  Their work throughout the community is a beacon of hope, showing these young individuals that a brighter future is within their reach. How Anderson Outreach Impact Lives  Anderson Outreach was established in March 2023 by Alfred O ..read more

When Charlotte artist Ivan Depeña begins a new personal project he starts with a question. “Can I get X to do Y and accomplish Z?” Like a jazz musician, he has mastered the foundational rules of his study and now seeks to break those rules. Depeña pushes boundaries “until the work has achieved a unique (visual and conceptual) language.” This process yields work that unfolds sequentially, stitching together a narrative of evolution and iteration, like instruments layering upon one another.  When creating public work, Depeña begins with a different question: Why? He strives to understand th ..read more