September 2026

September is shaping up to be an exciting—and very busy—month at Charlotte Studio Artists! We’re exploring possibilities for a new studio home (with some very exciting leads we hope to share more about soon), our artists continue to pop up all over the Charlotte community, and after a fantastic NoDa Bizarre filled with so many new faces, the momentum just keeps growing.

This month brings even more ways to experience CSA. We’re opening our newest gallery exhibition, Black, White and Everything in Between, and launching our fall workshop series. There is so much happening and not nearly enough room in one newsletter to share everything our artists are up to!

Keep reading for what’s coming up, mark a few dates on your calendar, and come see us. There’s a lot of great art waiting for you this September.

This Month at CSA

Featured Artist Each month, we're shining a spotlight on one of the talented artists who calls CSA home. Through a few questions and stories, you'll get a glimpse into their creative process, current projects, and the experiences that shape their work. This month, we're getting to know Pamela Roberts.

Pamela’s layered mixed-media paintings explore the connection between place, memory, and belonging. Having lived everywhere from Morocco and Tokyo to Wyoming, Miami, and the mountains of Western North Carolina, she draws inspiration from the landscapes, architecture, cultures, and communities that have shaped her along the way. Through layers of paint, collage, texture, maps, organic forms, and recurring floral imagery, Pamela creates work that invites us to consider the places that become part of who we are. To learn more about Pamela, visit her website.

What is inspiring you right now?

Maps, architecture and atmospheric designs.

What is currently on your easel?

I work on an entire series at a time so there are 4 large paper pieces and 4 canvases above 30” in various stages. All on the same theme and color palette.

I am also working on a portfolio to use to submit to art consultants.

What has surprised you lately - either artistically or personally?

How much the art being made reflects the status of life swirling around you.

What is one thing collectors or fellow artists might be surprised to learn about you?

I went to high school in Japan. The Japanese culture has a tremendous influence on me.

How did you first become interested in making art?

I took oil painting lessons in Tokyo. As soon as I started I was hooked.

Is there a medium, technique, or subject you are eager to explore?

I want to take some time to fully explore collage to discover new ways of incorporating collage elements into my work.

What does a typical day in your creative life look like?

I wake around 5 AM and start painting around 5:30. I paint until it’s time to get ready for work. Typically I paint in the afternoon and evening. When I’m not working, I paint more.
The main thing is, I paint every day. Something, every day.

How has Charlotte, your community, or CSA played a role in your work?

Huge support and encouragement! CSA has the best group of artists around. Everyone is so generous with their skills and knowledge.

Is there a recent piece that feels especially meaningful to you? Why?

I finished a series called Remnants of Place. In contrast to most of my work, it is a simple concept and neutral palette- it represents the inner peace I’ve been wanting lately.

Anything else you'd like to share with readers?

My main studio is in my home. I welcome visitors to my Open Studio once a month.

Just for Fun

☕ Coffee, tea or something stronger? Tea!

🐦 Early bird or night owl? Early Bird- I love watching the sun rise.

🎨 Favorite art supply? Caran d’Ache crayons.

🎵 Music, podcast, or silence while you work? Classical or new age music.

What is one place you'd love to paint? The mountains.

CSA In The Community

A BOLT OF INSPIRATION FOR SHANA TEMPLIN!

We’re so proud of CSA artist Shana Templin, who was recently honored with a Bolt of Inspiration Award from Charlotte Is Creative for her work with Novant Health and The Art of Remarkable Care! The award recognizes innovative and creative Charlotteans whose work helps make our city a more vibrant, connected, and caring place.

Through her work as Novant Health’s Arts in Health Facilitator, Shana continues to champion the powerful role art can play in health and wellness—including the recent community mural project CSA was honored to be part of at Novant Health Ballantyne Medical Center.

Congratulations, Shana! We’re proud to have you as part of the CSA community.

Have you SEEN the winner?

Congratulations to Sheila Collins, our latest SEEN Photo Competition winner! Her photograph, Choose Wisely, captured at Charlotte’s Blackhawk Hardware for the theme “Letters & Words,” received the highest number of heart votes of any winning photo this year!

Sheila now gets bragging rights—and custody of our much-loved traveling SEEN trophy until our next winner is crowned. Congratulations, Sheila, and thanks to everyone who voted!

Now on View

Last Chance: Reimagining the Masters

There’s still time to catch Reimagining the Masters! Our current exhibition closes September 12, so stop by for one last look at the creative ways CSA artists have interpreted and reimagined iconic works and artists through their own unique perspectives.

Coming Next: Black, White and Everything In Between

Opening September 17, Black, White and Everything In Between explores the full spectrum of visual expression through black, white, and every nuance in between. Challenging artists to find depth, tension, and meaning through contrast and subtle gradation.

Opening Reception: September 17 | 5–8:30 PM​
​On View: September 17–November 7

Join us for the opening reception or visit throughout the exhibition. CSA is open every Saturday and every third Thursday during NoDa’s Culture Crawl. We’d love to see you!

Mark Your Calendars

Monthly Meetups

Artist Trading Card Meetup

Wednesday, September 23, 2026
6:30 PM

Our first Artist Trading Card Meetup was such a hit, we’re doing it again! Join us on the fourth Wednesday of each month for a casual evening of creating, trading, and connecting with fellow artists and art lovers. Make a few mini works of art, swap them with others, and have some fun—all are welcome!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for meetup details and updates.

Guild of Charlotte Artists Featured at CSA Gallery

This month we welcome:

Petra Pingel Petra4Design / The “tiny” Tile Studio Petra Pingel is a multidisciplinary artist whose work celebrates bold color, organic shapes, pattern, and movement. Born and raised in Germany in a family of makers, her creative influences began early. She completed an apprenticeship in printing and typography, earned a degree from Kunstschule Alsterdamm in Hamburg, and worked professionally as a graphic designer before moving to Charlotte. Petra creates distinctive hand-glazed tile art as well as mixed-media watercolor works, bringing color, texture, and a playful sense of experimentation to everything she creates. Emerging Artist grants from the ASC in 2022 and 2024 helped her purchase her own kiln and create “The tiny Tile Studio”in her home, where she continues to explore and develop new work.

Amy Winnicki Fine art photographer and writer Amy Winnicki uses visual storytelling to explore the space between darkness and light, stillness and movement, vulnerability and strength. Inspired by dramatic skies, water, trees, forgotten places, and easily overlooked moments, her work invites viewers to slow down and discover the story beneath the surface. Themes of resilience, transformation, hope, and human connection run throughout her work. Amy's photography has been selected for numerous juried and group exhibitions throughout the Carolinas, including exhibition at the Mint Museum Uptown, and her work has received recognition in international photography competitions.

CALL TO ARTISTS: ILLUMINATION

Our final exhibition of 2026, Illumination, invites artists to explore the idea of light in all its forms—from literal light and shadow to themes of discovery, hope, clarity, revelation, and transformation. Interpret the theme in your own way and show us what illumination means to you. Submissions begin September 10, with the exhibition on view November 19, 2026–January 16, 2027.

Important Dates​
Call Opens: September 10
Submissions Due: October 29
Artist Notifications: November 5
Artwork Intake: November 14
Opening Reception: November 19
Exhibition: November 19–January 16

For more information about this and all of our upcoming calls, please see the Call to Artists page on our website.

Help Us Find Our New Home

Our search for a new home continues—and we’re excited to share that we have a few promising leads! Nothing is finalized yet, so we’re continuing to explore possibilities for a space where our studios, gallery, retail, workshops, and growing creative community can thrive.

We’re looking for an accessible, light-filled, community-oriented space with room to grow and good parking. Your connections could make all the difference. If you know of a space, property owner, developer, organization, or potential partner we should talk to, we’d love to hear from you.

Please reach out to charlottestudioartists@gmail.com with ideas, connections, or other ways you may be able to help. We can’t wait to see where CSA goes next!

Do you want to volunteer in a creative space?

CSA has a need for volunteers! Whether you like to be in the middle of the action or quieter spot, there is a place for you. We especially need volunteers who would like to be docents—or meet and greet at our front desk. We welcome visitors from our neighborhood, across the country, and around the globe. If you’re available for occasional Saturday 4-hour shifts, or third Thursday evenings, please e-mail charlottestudioartists@gmail.com. We have special projects at other times, too. Come enjoy the creative vibe while you contribute to CSA’s volunteer effort. We’d be grateful.

OPEN HOURS

Come see what’s happening at CSA! Visit us during open gallery hours Saturdays from 10 AM–6 PM and every 3rd Thursday from 5–8:30 PM during NoDa’s Culture Crawl.

Wander the studios, meet our artists, explore the latest exhibitions, and maybe find a piece of art you can’t leave without. There’s always something new to see!