Charlotte — You don’t have to consider yourself artistic to be artistic.
Arts+, a nonprofit organization that has promoted arts education in Charlotte for more than 50 years, offers many free opportunities to exercise creativity.
Arts+ runs at the Uptown Farmers Market (300 S. Davidson St.) the first Saturday of each month from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, through the end of the year. The next chance to get creative is September 3rd.
Uptown Farmers Market will become a 501c3 nonprofit in Spring 2020 with a focus on locally grown fresh produce to engage with neighbors, support local farmers, educate about healthy eating and address food insecurity was established to The downtown core market is SNAP approved and accessible to over 110,000 residents within a 3-mile radius.
Arts+ President and Executive Director Devlin McNeil said: “You don’t need artistic experience or a relationship with Arts+ to participate in this activity. I’m here to meet a new face.
“One element of Arts+’s mission is accessibility, bringing art directly to the community,” says McNeil. “So while we plan to support local farmers and producers, we can also participate in fun and educational arts activities that the whole family can enjoy.”
Since the Farmers Market program launched in the spring of 2021, McNeil said, the response has been positive.
“We emphasize using sustainable materials and promoting health and nutrition,” he said. You can make flowers, practice weaving textiles, etc. Even regular market participants will enjoy something new, as we offer a constant variety of products. It’s designed to be suitable for children, but it’s also easily adaptable for adults who want to participate.”
The monthly arts activation helped maintain a sense of public continuity for the organization. Head to the 7,300-square-foot space inside the Children & Family Services Center at 601 E. 5th St. One-hundredth of the new office space will be dedicated to Studio 345, a free county-funded digital media after-school program available to all high school students in Mecklenburg.