
Spiritiles and Stories: How Houston Llew Turns Fire Into Joy
Some artists stumble upon their craft by chance, but for Houston Llew, art found him at exactly the right time. In the aftermath of the Great Recession, when the world
Autumn Payne is a multidisciplinary artist, arts professional, and proud dog mom based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her creative practice spans sculpting, ceramics, painting, and printmaking, with a focus on themes of self-reflection and the human experience. She is currently pursuing an Associate of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in ceramics and printmaking.
In addition to her artistic work, Autumn has built an extensive career in arts management. She is a Digital Marketing Specialist at the Cain Center for the Arts and the founder of Art By Autumn Payne LLC, providing creative services and consultation. For the past five years, she has worked as a Project Manager for Art by Meredith Connelly, contributing to large-scale public art installations. She has also held leadership roles at Hot Glass Alley and worked with ArtPop Street Gallery.
Autumn’s artwork has been featured in exhibitions such as Director’s Choice at the Cain Center for the Arts, CLAY at Cabarrus Arts Council, and the ArtPop Class of 2023, including a display in Times Square. Her work reflects a dedication to creativity, community engagement, and collaboration, all supported by her constant companion, her dog, Max.

Some artists stumble upon their craft by chance, but for Houston Llew, art found him at exactly the right time. In the aftermath of the Great Recession, when the world

If you’ve ever seen Pam White’s work, you know it’s impossible to look away. Based in the charming town of Bluffton, South Carolina, Pam has found her artistic sweet spot

For artist Carla Gignilliat, creativity has never been something she stumbled upon. It has always been a part of her. From making mud sculptures as a toddler to experimenting with

Amid fast trends and factory-made sameness, Andrea Brinkley is quietly and powerfully doing something different. Her fiber art doesn’t shout. It draws you in with a whisper. Time softens. You’re

So, you’ve got a chair that’s seen better days, but you’re not quite ready to toss it. Or maybe you scored a vintage gem at a thrift store, and now

In a world that often demands speed, perfection, and conformity, Nadia Meadows is creating something slower, richer, and deeply personal. Still early in her career, this North Carolina-based artist is

photos by: KELLY REESE Just walking through a seemingly ordinary spot in downtown Mooresville, you’re unexpectedly drawn in by a splash of vivid color – the newest mural at the

For Mariah McDaniel, art has always been more than just an act of creation. It is a deeply personal dialogue between memory, nature and meaning. Her journey as an artist

Along Mooresville’s historic Main Street, there’s a place that invites you to slow down—where curiosity is welcomed, conversations linger, and artist-made treasures become part of a shared story. That place

In a world where convenience often trumps sustainability, the environmental impact of textile waste tends to fly under the radar. Every year, millions of pounds of fabric, much of it
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