Through the Ether: A solo exhibition by Concord-resident April Simmons
The arrival of April brings something fitting, a solo exhibition by April Simmons in the Galleries at the Cabarrus Arts Council that will run April 24 – June 20, 2026.
Before her work ever hung on gallery walls, it flickered across film festival screens. April’s artistic roots are experimental, non-narrative filmmaking and editing for both documentary and fiction. She spent nearly two decades teaching film production, theory, and history at the university level.
April Simmons comes from a non-narrative film making background. Her work has evolved into a different direction.
It wasn’t until she and her family moved to Concord that her work shifted away from the digital world. In 2022, her mixed media practice began to take shape. “We had been here maybe six months, and I was sitting in my studio looking out the window,” she recalls. “I could hear the birds and the children playing. When you are making a film, you are immersed in a dark space, staring at a screen. I found myself pulled outside. I could not stay in that digital world any longer.”
Skeleton keys, teacups, dresses, daggers, apples, birds, and birdcages populate Through the Ether, a body of work deeply informed by her background in film editing. April gathers fragments from 3D models, photographs, paintings, and advertisements and removes them from their original context. Through layering, montage, and glazing, she builds new visual landscapes entirely her own. Recurring skeleton keys echo the historic keyholes found throughout Concord, grounding the work in place while remaining dreamlike and symbolic.
April Simmons' exhibition is called "Through the Ether."
Join us on April 24 from 5 to 7 p.m. for the opening reception of Through the Ether. Each piece in the exhibition will be for sale!
For those interested in rolling up their own creative sleeves, on April 30 from 6 to 8 p.m., April Simmons will lead a hands-on workshop and demonstration. Participants will get an inside look at her process, from building compositions in Photoshop to layering acrylics, oils, and mixed media techniques. Registration is $60.
The workshop will bring you inside the process of April Simmons' work.
Register today: https://cabarrusartscouncilgiftshop.cloveronline.com/montage-of-the-still-frame-with-april-simmons-37YNV510AKNPT
Support the arts
Want to see art in your community? Consider making a gift to the Cabarrus Arts Council: Help keep art alive in our region through a donation of any size. Visit cabarrusartscouncil.org/donate.
This week
(April 7-April 13)
Sound & Stories–Musical Craft (KAN)- Tuesday, April 7, 11:15 p.m. - noon - Ages 3-5 with caregiver – Where music and reading come together! This story time introduces basic musical concepts through sounds, stories, instruments and more! Join us to make a musical egg shaker! For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents
Paint to Sip! PAINT & PLANTERS (Workshop)- Tuesday, April 7, 10 a.m. - noon - Decorate a terra cotta pot to give as a gift or use in your own home. Includes indoor plant as well. A Parks & Recreation associate leads this fun morning workshop. For registration and more information, please visit www.clearwaterartists.com/events.
Hooked On Coasters - Crochet a Coaster! - Wednesday, April 8, 5:30 - 7 p.m. - Learn the basics of crochet while creating your very own cozy coaster. This beginner-friendly class will guide you step-by-step as you stitch a simple and stylish coaster perfect for your coffee table or as a handmade gift. All materials provided—just bring your creativity! For more information, please visit www.clearwaterartists.com/events.
Creative Collective: Pipe Cleaner Flowers (AFT)- Thursday, April 9, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. - Ages 12-18– A monthly program where teens get creative! This month, we’re hopping on the viral trend of pipe cleaner flowers. We’ll make a small bouquet and decorate a jar. No registration. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents
Bad Art Night (CON)- Thursday, April 9, 4:30 - 5:45 p.m. - Ages 9-13-Join us for an evening of bold creativity; an opportunity to explore visual expression without the constraints of perfection. Create something wildly unique using our art supply inventory and compete for the grand prize! For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents
Crochet Headband Project* (MTP)- Thursday, April 9, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Ages 18+ – Practice your crochet skills and learn a new pattern by making a cute mesh crochet headband! *Must know how to do the Chain and Double Crochet Stitch. *Registration Required. For more information and to register, please visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents
Preschool Picassos (HAR)- Friday, April 10, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Ages 3-5 with a caregiver – Drop-in for DIY art projects to complete together! Please wear clothes that you don’t mind getting messy. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents
OPENING RECEPTION: Impulse 2026: RCCC Annual Student Art Show — Friday, April 10, 5-7 p.m. — Join us to celebrate another year of fabulous artworks by the students of the Fine & Applied Art Department at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC)! Open to the public with light refreshments provided by students and sponsors. For more information, visit www.clearwaterartists.com.
Cyanotype Sun Prints – Presented by the Cabarrus Arts Council* (AFT)- Tuesday, April 7, 5:30-6:30 p.m. - Ages 6-11– Make art with sunlight! Kids will use special paper and everyday objects to create cool blue-and-white cyanotype prints. This hands-on activity blends science, creativity and sunshine, and each child will take home their own unique masterpiece. *Registration required; please only register children who will be participating. For more information and registration, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Cyanotype Sun Prints – Presented by the Cabarrus Arts Council* (KAN)- Wednesday, April 8, 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Ages 6-11– Make art with sunlight! Kids will use special paper and everyday objects to create cool blue-and-white cyanotype prints. This hands-on activity blends science, creativity, and sunshine, and each child will take home their own unique masterpiece. *Registration required; please only register children who will be participating. For more information and registration, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Creative Collective: Pipe Cleaner Flowers (AFT)- Thursday, April 9, 4-5 p.m. - Ages 12-18– A monthly program where teens get creative! This month, we’re hopping on the viral trend of pipe cleaner flowers. We’ll make a small bouquet and decorate a jar. No registration. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Crochet Headband Project* (MTP)- Thursday, April 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m. - Ages 18+ – Practice your crochet skills and learn a new pattern by making a cute mesh crochet headband! *Must know how to do the Chain and Double Crochet Stitch. *Registration Required. For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Preschool Picassos (HAR)- Friday, April 10, 10:30-11:30 a.m. - Ages 3-5 with a caregiver – Drop-in for DIY art projects to complete together! Please wear clothes that you don’t mind getting messy. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Coffee & Canvas (MTP)- Saturday, April 11, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Ages 18+ – Follow a step-by-step painting tutorial while enjoying light refreshments and a cup of coffee. Excellent for beginners. Starting this month, we will have No Registration with Limited Seating. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Art Club (HAR)- Saturday, April 11, 3:30-5 p.m. - Ages 12+ – Artists of all kinds are welcome to drop in and create in a group setting. Bring your own tools, or borrow some of ours, to work independently on your own works in progress or create something new from prepared art prompts No registration. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Next week
(April 14-April 20)
Cyanotype Sun Prints – Presented by the Cabarrus Arts Council* (HAR)- Tuesday, April 14, 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Ages 6-11– Make art with sunlight! Kids will use special paper and everyday objects to create cool blue-and-white cyanotype prints. This hands-on activity blends science, creativity and sunshine and each child will take home their own unique masterpiece. *Registration required; please only register children who will be participating. For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Kid Krafters (CON)- Wednesday, April 15, 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Ages 6-11 – Join us as we explore reflections and symmetry by making your own D.I.Y. kaleidoscope. Experiment by creating different designs and seeing how the reflection changes! No registration. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Floral Paper Quilling (AFT)- Wednesday, April 15, 5 - 7 p.m. - Ages 18+– Learn how to roll, shape, and transform colorful strips of paper to create a beautiful design perfect for spring. Drop In. No registration. For more information please visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents
Youth Arts Month Festival- Friday, April 17, 5 - 8 p.m. - Join us at the Gibson Mill Market for the Cabarrus County Schools Youth Arts Month Festival as we showcase the incredible creativity and talent of our students! This special evening celebrates the power of the arts in CCS — featuring stunning student artwork and live performances by talented CCS students from across the district. From visual arts to music and more, you’ll see firsthand how creativity is thriving in our schools. Bring your family, invite your friends, and come support our student artists as we celebrate the imagination, passion, and talent that make Cabarrus County Schools shine!
Cabarrus Art Guild Workshop: Create a Goldfinch Needle Felted Fiber Painting – Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Learn to use needle felting wool fiber to “paint” a picture. We will be starting with a prefelt base (sheet of partially felted wool) that has a transfer of the simple photo of a goldfinch in a flower garden. Then, using our fibers and needles, we will try and recreate our picture in fiber (and of course use our creative license!). We will be learning to blend fibers to get our results. Our “painting” will be an 8 x 10 picture which can easily be placed in an 11 x 14 mat and frame. The materials will include fiber to complete the project, 2 felting needles, prefelt base with transfer of image of sleeping kitty and a foam work pad. Students only need to bring a sense of humor and their imagination! For more information please visit www.cabarrusartguild.org
Cabarrus Art Guild Workshop: Create a 3D Needle Felted Otter- Saturday, April 18, 1- 5 p.m.- Come and create a cute (or maybe not so cute – oh … who are we kidding – they are all cute!) otter character for yourself or a special someone. Great way to practice the use of shapes and colors to create your character! Create a playful otter and learn needle felting skills or add to the knowledge that you may already have! The materials will include fiber to complete the project, 2 felting needles, and a foam work pad. Students only need to bring a sense of humor and their imagination! For more information please visit www.cabarrusartguild.org.
Bob Crawford Book Launch Event with Goldberry Books! - Monday, April 20, 7:30 p.m. - Join Bob Crawford and Goldberry Books at the Cabarrus Arts Council for a special event to celebrate the launch of "AMERICA'S FAVORITE SON"! For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/BobCrawfordbook for tickets.
Upcoming
Crochet for Beginners (KAN)- Tuesday, April 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m. - Ages 13+ – Are you interested in learning how to crochet? Join us for a three-week course where we meet once a week to learn basic crochet skills while making our first project. Attendees must come to the first meeting to continue the course. Supplies and crochet kits will be provided by the Friends of Kannapolis Library. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Improv 101 (CON)- Thursday, April 23, 5-6 p.m. - Teens (Ages 12-18) – Come stretch your acting skills with this program. Improv 101 will teach you how to get in touch with your inner thespian. Join us for games, skits and more! No registration. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
OMG, You Knitted That?! (MID)- Saturday, April 25, 4-5 p.m. - Ages 12 + – Unlock your potential with Knitting in the Round. Beginners can learn the basics of knitting, while experienced knitters can try out patterns/suggested patterns from some of the knitting books that will be at the program for reference. No registration or prior skills required; all skill levels welcome. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Craft, Play and Connect (MID)- Monday, April 27, 3:30-5 p.m. - Family. Looking for something to do with the kids after school? Join us the last Monday of the month for stories, crafts, games and snacks. Parents and caregivers encouraged to participate. Drop in. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Crafter’s Corner- Bee Bubblers (MTP)- Monday April 27, 4-5 p.m. - Adult 18+ Join us to make a pretty yard decoration from simple items to put out as a safe watering station for bees and butterflies! No registration. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
What’s The Stitch? (AFT)- Monday, April 27, 5-7 p.m. - Ages 10+ – A club for all yarn enthusiasts, bring your projects to work on with other hobbyists – whether it’s crochet, knitting or weaving! Drop-in, supplies limited. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Cabarrus Art Guild Call for Spring 2026 Judged Show Art Intake – Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - The Cabarrus Art Guild is calling for artist submissions of varying mediums for the Spring 2026 Judged Art Show! Registration and payment are required. The last day to register and pay online will be April 27. The last day to register by mail will be April 24. For more information on submission guidelines and to register, visit the Cabarrus Art Guilds' "Exhibit" webpage.
Ongoing
The Cabarrus Art Guild’s Open Art Tuesdays — Every Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Guild welcomes visitors for first-time visits free at weekly Open Art Tuesdays at ClearWater — in the Lower Level, “Greenway Gallery.” Enter through the double glass doors facing Kerr Street, in the Main Building. Guild members come as often as they like. Bring lunch, a project and your supplies. Sometimes a member gives a “Pop-Up” class! The Guild is a ClearWater Tenant in Lower-Level Studio LL-102. See the Cabarrus Art Guild Profile Page. For more information, visit www.clearwaterartists.com.
Learn the Age-Old Art of Pastels — Pastel classes are offered by Regina Burchett on an individual or small group basis. Classes are typically two hours in length, and the materials are included for the first two classes, to ensure that the student will get to experience working with pastels before they commit to an investment in materials. Individual classes are $30 per two-hour session. Note: Regina moved from her ClearWater Studio to a home studio in July 2017, so individual lessons may be given there. Group classes at ClearWater Artist Studios may be public, or private (i.e. limited to a group you select). Group classes require a minimum of four students and max of 10. Age 10 and older. Contact Regina at 704-925-9838 for more information. Her website is www.reginaburchett.com.
Sip & Stitch at West Loop Local — Mondays at 6 p.m. This is an extension of our Tuesday Hooks & Books meet-up. Anyone is welcome to join, just bring your crochet or knitting project to work on. You’re welcome to purchase your own food and drink from the West Loop Local menu! We meet upstairs at West Loop Local (231 West Ave). For more information, visit www.editionsbookstore.com.
Puddle Painting Workshop — Every Monday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Experience the mesmerizing art of fluid acrylic pouring in this intuitive, hands-on workshop. Choose from three canvas sizes and let your creativity flow — no experience needed! Come solo or bring a friend for fun, stress-free, painting adventure! All ages welcome. RSVP required at High Branch Brewery, McGill Avenue Northwest #100. For more information or to RSVP, visit www.tuxedokat.com.
Community Survey: Concord Public Art Commission Project — A new public art project is coming to Les Myers Park in Concord. Help guide the mural design by participating in the online survey. To fill out the survey, visit www.publicinput.com/concordmural.
The Swanee Theatre is the place to be for moving and grooving through your week. Mark your calendars. Kannapolis Parks and Recreation is offering several dancing opportunities for all to enjoy: Mondays — free line dancing from 6-8 p.m.; Tuesdays — free dance. Walk. Party. A Fitness experience! 5:30-6:30 p.m.; Wednesdays — Shag dancing, $5 a person, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Come out to any or all of these events to make new friends and discover a healthy life in Kannapolis. No registration needed, just come join the fun. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/CityofKannapolis.
Open Mic, Spotlight Series — Every fourth Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Come join us for this incredible spotlight series and open mic. Sign up to share on the mic at the event. Free to the public and best coffee in town. Free; no registration required at Wired Coffee Express, 469 N. Cannon Blvd. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/guerilla.poets.founders.
After-school and Adult Art Classes in drawing, painting, pottery and sculpture. After-school classes from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and adult classes from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, one day per week for six weeks. For more information, call 704-786-8570.
North Carolina Music Hall of Fame — The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Museum is a safe, fun and touch-free visit for your friends and family. The museum is open to the public Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. Reserve your visit at Make A Reservation — North Carolina Music Hall of Fame, 600 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis.
Open Art Day — Every Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your lunch and drink, bring a project you are working on, and your supplies. Or bring work you’d like to share and discuss. This is a working, weekly meeting each Tuesday to work with and share with artists and like-minded people who appreciate creativity. ClearWater Arts Center & Studios is at 223 Crowell Drive NW, Concord — enter through the double glass doors facing Kerr Street, called the Greenway Gallery. For more information, go to cabarrusartguild.org.
Caffeinate with Creatives — Every Second Saturday from 10-11 a.m. The Concord area is filled with artists of all kinds, so let’s take some time to get to know each other. Join us every second Saturday for coffee and creative conversations. All artists are welcome; no registration; free; with coffee for purchase at ClearWater Arts Center & Studios, 223 Crowell Drive NW, Concord. For more information, visit www.clearwaterartists.com.
Plein Air with the CAG — Calling all artists. First-timers welcome. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the things you think you need; this is a very informal gathering, and your fellow artists are happy to help. Reach out to get on the mailing list for various events. Has the idea or the fun of Plein Air ever fascinated you? To explain, Plein Air is a French term meaning, “denoting or in the manner of a 19th-century style of painting outdoors, or with a strong sense of the open air, that became a central feature of French impressionism.” Some famous Plein Air painters were among the most impressive painters from history, including Monet, Homer and Sargent. Within the Cabarrus Art Guild, a group of Plein air painters have banded together to enjoy the lovely North Carolina Piedmont and surrounding sites via Plein air. They have named themselves “Dusty Road Painters” and meet to explore the indoors (inclement weather) and outdoors that offer countless opportunities to express one’s artistic curiosity and passion. Have questions or interested in joining this free group of adventurous artists? Reach out to Plein Air Chair O’Lynda Walker at olynda.walker@gmail.com. Free. For more information, visit www.cabarrusartguild.org.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Course Offerings — Continuing Education courses available with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. In addition to career courses, we also offer personal-enrichment courses. Call 702-216-7222 or register online at https://cce.rcc.edu/. New course offerings can be found at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hwaTI5nAM_bMAiQ_XooVkANHnnJOqN63/edit.
