The Charlotte is Creative Podcast

In an effort to define social capital and show the profound effects it has on our community, we're introducing a new series of podcasts called Who Built Me. We've asked several prominent Charlotteans to talk about the people and ideas that have shaped them into who they are today.

In the latest edition of The Biscuit's Who Built Me series, Andy Goh talks to artist and entrepreneur Eric Ndelo. Eric is cofounder of screen printing company Mac Fly Fresh, located in Camp North End and known for their colorful and interactive pop-up screen printing booths. Eric talks about a friend of his named Adam Peele, who helped teach him screen printing before a trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo several years ago.

The Who Built Me Series is sponsored by Foundation for the Carolinas.

On the morning of Tuesday, June 9, 2020, Charlotteans woke up to a bold new mural being painted on a prominent stretch of South Tryon Street that read "Black Lives Matter." Inspired by similar murals in Washington, DC and Raleigh, a group of Charlotte artists and organizers came together within a matter of hours to create their own homage to the movement.

What makes Charlotte's mural unique, however, is that each letter is designed and painted by a different artist. The result is stunning.

On today's episode of the Biscuit CLT Podcast, producer Andy Goh takes you on the ground to talk to the artists and organizers who made the mural happen.

In an effort to define social capital and show the profound effects it has on our community, we're introducing a new series of podcasts called Who Built Me. We've asked several prominent Charlotteans to talk about the people and ideas that have shaped them into who they are today.

In the latest edition of The Biscuit's Who Built Me series, Andy Goh talks to media personality and entrepreneur Ohavia Phillips. Ohavia's energy and dynamic presence are well known throughout the city. Much of the credit for building her bold personality she gives to her mother. Hear Ohavia talk about how her mother taught her to survive and thrive even as a single parent.

In an effort to define social capital and show the profound effects it has on our community, we're introducing a new series of podcasts called Who Built Me. We've asked several prominent Charlotteans to talk about the people and ideas that have shaped them into who they are today.

First up is Toni Freeman. In a long career filled with leadership positions at the Arts & Science Council, Junior League, Women's Impact Fund and more, Toni knows what it means to give and receive guidance. Her mentor was a math teacher named Sister Edith Feltner who helped Toni achieve her full potential. Press play, and hear her story.

It's hard to find someone who is more fiercely proud of being a native Charlottean than Winston Robinson. So much so, that Robinson's nickname of "Wilmo" is inspired by his native neighborhood of Wilmore. That, combined with the work that he's doing as former president of the Lockwood Neighborhood Association, through A Vibe Called Fresh, an annual food and music festival open to all residents, as well as founding an LLC, The Applesauce Group, to support it all.

In today's episode of the The Biscuit CLT Podcast - CMCLT Rewind, hosts Tim Miner and Matt Olin talk to Winston immediately following his talk at the March Creative Mornings event at Divine Barrel Brewing. Tune in now to hear Winston speak about what being a native Charlottean means to him, what he wanted to convey when speaking about codeswitching in his CMCLT speech, and his thoughts on the current state of The Excelsior Club.

Good things come in threes, and with this week's episode, The Biscuit CLT Podcast hits the trifecta with an episode on visual creativity in the Queen City. 

Classic Black is the most recent sculptural exhibition at the Mint Museum Randolph. Inspired by the hauntingly dark and matte basalt sculptures of Josiah Wedgwood. The sculptures are striking in their own right, but they're presented in conjunction with the amorphous and flowing designs of local artist Owl, part of the Southern Tiger Collective.

Tim Miner sits down with Brian Gallagher, Curator of Decorative Arts at the Mint Museum, and Owl. Hit the play button now to hear them talk about the design behind the exhibition, how Owl's art enhances the sculptures, and what the collaboration with a local artist means for the museum.

It takes institutions of all shapes and sizes to make a vibrant arts scene. The national and international artists attracted to both the walls of LaCa Projects, and prestigious residencies at McColl Center for Art + Innovation bring exciting and fresh perspectives from outside the Queen City.

Today on The Biscuit CLT Podcast, co-biscuit baker Tim Miner talks with Argentinian visual artists Franco Fasoli (currently an artist in residence at McColl) and Octavio Garabello, whose collaborative exhibition, Intimismos, is on view now at LaCa Projects. The pair talk about their time in Berlin and Barcelona, the representation of Latin American history in their art, and what they've learned about Charlotte's art scene.

In 2016, Charlotte art mavens Jen Sudul Edwards, Hillary Burt and Neely Verano came together to form The Sphere Series, a collection of panel discussions centered around contemporary art and how we view our own society through art's lens.

This Wednesday (February 26), The Sphere Series returns with Angels to Anathema: What Do We Do When Beloved Artists Behave Badly? Hosted at the Mint Museum Uptown at 6:00 p.m., The Sphere Series discussion looks at how the body of work of creatives like Pablo Picasso, Kevin Spacey, Rosanne Barr and more takes on new meaning when news of their less-desirable traits makes headlines. Also included in the discussion will be artists Emily Nussbaum and John W. Love, Jr.

Find out more by visiting sphereseries.com.

At the February edition of Creative Mornings Charlotte held at The Comedy Zone, Stacy Cassio delivered a moving talk about the global theme of "Invest." As the head of Pink Mentor Network, Stacy is leading by example by investing in women in the city of Charlotte. Her organization is helping empower women by providing a network or resources and support, leading to a more equitable environment in the Queen City.

In today's CMCLT Rewind, Tim Miner and Matt Olin speak to Stacy immediately following her featured speech at The Comedy Zone about moving to Charlotte thirteen years ago, the feeling of not having a proper mentor network, and what she would say to someone becoming a mentor.

You may know that co-Biscuit baker Matt Olin has an extensive history in theatre... in production and direction. His most recent theatre performance was more than twenty years ago! So when he auditioned for, and was cast, in Theatre Charlotte's upcoming production of The Odd Couple, it was an example of Matt stepping outside of his comfort zone.

By performing on stage, Matt Olin truly is living out his Creative Mornings motto of everyone being creative, and everyone being welcome.

In this episode of The Biscuit CLT Podcast, producer Andy Goh sits in on a rehearsal of the show, and chats with the actors, the director, and even a surprise guest. 

For more information and tickets to Theatre Charlotte's production of The Odd Couple, head to theatrecharlotte.org.