2026 Charlotte Creativity Log

By Alexandra Smith

I have always assigned myself to the "not an artist" category. But then I started asking myself dangerous questions like, "What would happen if I put my own creativity at the top of the priority list?"

This serves as a diary of whimsy: what I've tried in 2026 to keep my year interesting. I think it also provides clear proof of just how much there is to do on the art side of Charlotte. Keep checking back as I update it through the year.

JANUARY

Spent a solid 3.5 hours stickering at a Self-Care Mini Fest at Blume Studios. I decorated a journal that has now become my physical Creativity Log. I'm hoping to fill each page with a creative activity before the end of the year. Adult-Only Sticker Club gathers at least monthly and you should give it a try.

Met up with Dionna Bright at Enderly Park to offer company while she shot some self-portraits. I brought watercolors because I thought it would be cool to try shadow painting, but the wind absolutely did not cooperate. So I decided to wait for another warm, windless, sunny day to give this another go.

Visited artist Trish Boyles in her studio for a Mixed Media Collage Playshop and had the BEST time. Her collection of papers and paints is glorious. Her guidance was helpful and tremendously encouraging. I proudly left with 2 pieces that I made and adore.

Tried out a Wheel Throwing Class at the brand new Livermush Studios in NoDa. I get now how throwing can put you in that almost meditative flow state, and why people get hooked on chasing it. I was in state of panic and overthinking for 85% of the class, but that flow state high feels like winning a jackpot at the casino. It was fun, humbling, and made me want to try again. Livermush offers 1.5 hour beginner Throwdown classes every Saturday.

Had the privilege of spending 30 days overseas in Asia this past fall. I then spent the winter teaching myself Davinci Resolve so I could put my experience online in a YouTube format. We completed and dropped the first video, which covers Day 1 in Bangkok and I'm really proud of the final cut.

Spent a snow day playing with The Met and Smithsonian public domain image collections. I started with the word “window,” gave myself a 50-frame limit, and made a digital collage stop motion video using bits and pieces of whatever I could discover.

FEBRUARY 

Played Art Detective with Carl Ernst von Stetten’s 1884 painting “Cleobis and Biton,” which illustrates an Ancient Greek story about devotion, sacrifice, and death. When I saw the painting in person, I immediately assumed a different narrative. I was pulled, seemingly via black hole, into a magical art history journey and I wrote an article all about it!

Took a free Urban Sketching class through ASC Culture Blocks. My teacher Eliza provided both the instruction and reassurance that I needed as a first-timer. I have fallen in love with "deeply looking" and now have a budding sketchbook practice because of this class!

Went to my first Gelli Printmaking class thanks to my friends at Arts+. We were given the freedom to try whatever came to mind. One of my favorite prints came from using plant tie tape that a fellow student brought for experimenting. After 3 hours, I went home with a whopping 16 prints! This was delightful and colorful and now I might have to buy my own Gelli plate.

Stepped out into the rain with my watercolors to try a little collaboration. Unfortunately, it ended up raining too hard for any paint to really make a mark. But, I am glad that I seized the moment and I have ideas for further experimentation. Just waiting on the right rainstorm.

Brought my sketchbook out to the park and did my first colored pencil drawings. Up until this point all the sketches in my new sketchbook had been in pen. I prefer the color!

MARCH

Visited artist Pam Imhof in her studio at VAPA to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of her Charlotte Shout public fiber art installation. She created three life-sized creatures covered in crochet and knitted elements. When you hugged the Shout circle, they made magical sounds!!

Went to another Play More Charlotte Sticker Party and made a butterfly shaped sticker collage with a stencil from Upcycle Arts!

Attended a USK Charlotte Meetup at Charlotte Regional Farmer's Market on a super busy Saturday. It was intimidating to sketch around so many people, but the group made me feel super welcome. They usually meet monthly - keep up through their Instagram.

APRIL

When I saw LaDara Fine Art offering a free class through ASC Culture Blocks, I jumped at the chance to attend. There's never been any technique behind my abstract work, but I was able to learn more about tetradic color schemes, tints, shades, and composition.

Went to one of Daniel Stowe Conservancy's free admission Community Nights with my art friend Eliza (yes, Urban Sketching Eliza!). We made our way to the orchid conservatory and settled in to capture the reflecting pool and the thorny ceiba tree in watercolor and colored pencils.

Hosted a super casual Fresh Air Art Meetup at Camp Greene Park in partnership with nonprofit QC Family Tree. It was low-key and I got to meet some new creative friends!

MAY

Attempted to illustrate a recent migraine aura in watercolor. Migraine auras are like visual warning signs to the brain that a migraine is on the way. Mine are kaleidoscopic with bright white holes and distortions to whatever is in my field of vision. Trying to paint it felt like trying to remember a dream. I'd like to try again sometime.

Went to the park on a calm day and tried the shadow painting exercise again in my sketchbook. I painted blackberry, wild grape and bamboo leaves layered on top of each other and I was delighted with the results.

Wanted to give these watercolor blob/ink pen exercises all over Instagram a try. I picked random colors and made random shapes all over the page. And then I went back through with a pen and turned them into objects like popsicles, frogs, and butterflies. I see a lot of professional artists sticking to one thing for this exercise, like just birds or just dogs, to really hone in on that out-of-the-box thinking. I think I'd like to challenge myself to do that next.

Woke up early and made my way to Northwest School of the Arts to speak with the AP Art & Design students about the realities of graduating in 2026, all the creative pathways forward, and how artists are really business owners.

Went to a space-themed Junk Journal Club with collagist Erika Rose. She hooked me up with a blank journal and laid out an entire galaxy of space themed papers, magazines, old books, washi tape, stickers, markers, and more. She sent us each home with a bag of extra collage materials to keep going. So now I have my physical Creativity Log, my sketchbook and a junk journal to finish by the end of the year! JUNE

I was invited to host an ArtWalks CLT Street Art & Identity Workshop for a deep dive on the River of Life Mural by artist Abel Jackson. Based on feedback from a community panel, Abel picked six figures to highlight, larger than life on the exterior wall of West End Fresh Seafood.

I took a Photo Embroidery workshop at Upcycle Arts, Charlotte’s creative reuse center.

They sell insanely affordable art and craft materials, offering low-pressure entry points to crafts you haven’t tried yet. And they have super affordable workshops (this one was just $10)! Basically, their entire mission is to make creativity accessible, which is obviously amazing.

JULY

I got really hyperfocused on painting shadows again, specifically Komorebi (木漏れ日), a Japanese word that describes dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees. It's very magical and wispy.

I got to see a Caravaggio in person at The Mint Museum! Caravaggio is known as the father of the Baroque movement and this exhibition provided a full survey of the “misshapen pearl” art style.

AUGUST I took a nice leisurely stroll through the halls of the VAPA Center. There are literally hundreds of amazing creatives there waiting for you to discover them! The best time to visit VAPA is during Open Studios every First Saturday from 12-6pm. 

I went to an immersive theater production by Mixed Metaphors Productions, an amazing group putting on annual performances written for the community. They use theater to shine a light on the real problems facing the real people that live here. I cannot say enough good things about them. 

SEPTEMBER

I took a one-day Wet Cyanotype class at Arts+ with Mert Wilkinson! This ended up being equal parts art, science, and happy accidents. We learned the history and how the process worked, watched Mert demo, and then we were unleashed to create! Building the layers and watching an image emerge was quite alchemical. 

I went to check out the new Activation Studios spot. And I'm here to tell you, it's awesome. It feels really good to see these folks reclaim, adapt, and expand to fit an idea. Grab a drink from Substrate and browse some art. 

I explored murals on the streets of NoDa with Sustain Charlotte and ArtWalks CLT in preparation for an upcoming content partnership with the CRVA. I ended up at The Exchange at 36th with an empty stomach. If you're looking for a good sandwich, grab the Hot Italian. It made my afternoon! 

OCTOBER

I put on a silly Furby fascinator and my best dress and made my way to the WEDDING fundraiser at Goodyear Arts. Always a good time. They use the funds raised to host free exhibitions year-round.

I went to Copperhead Social Club to check out 'Where the Wild Women Art' group show curated by Phoebe 1313. Also snagged a delicious double smash patty Green Chile Burger there. Yum!

More to come...