Introducing Local Art Lift artists
Original works from creatives available for purchase
Skeleton keys are a theme throughout April Simmons' work.
Simmons
Grant Maginnis used Caribbean rosewood and Cabarrus County oak in his bowls.
Maginnis
Maria Frey is a potter who rediscovered ceramics in her work.
Frey
CABARRUS ARTS CALENDAR
Each year, the Cabarrus Arts Council commissions creatives through Local Art Lift to create original works that serve as centerpieces for tables at the annual fundraiser, Breakfast for the Arts. These one-of-a-kind pieces are available for purchase in advance and at the event on May 7.
This year's Local Art Lift artists include April Simmons, Grant Maginnis and Maria Frey, three talented creatives working right here in Cabarrus County. We're excited to introduce each of them.
April Simmons
April Simmons, a Concord-based artist, brings a thoughtful and personal approach to her multi-media artwork. Originally working in filmmaking and editing, she found herself drawn away from the digital world after moving to Cabarrus County and becoming inspired by the sounds and rhythms of everyday life around her.
Her current painted series for Local Art Lift incorporates the symbol of a skeleton key, inspired by the historic homes throughout Concord. Butterflies, apples, daggers, birdcages and swans are common motifs of her work.
Grant Maginnis
Grant Maginnis, owner of Maginnis Made in Concord, discovered his passion for woodworking in 2015 while building a dining table for his home. That experience sparked a lasting interest in creating functional, handcrafted pieces.
For Local Art Lift, Grant has created bowls using Caribbean rosewood paired with locally sourced white oak from Cabarrus County. His work reflects both craftsmanship and a strong commitment to using local materials.
Maria Frey
Maria Frey is a potter whose work centers on functional pieces designed for everyday use. After earning an art degree, she rediscovered ceramics as a creative outlet and quickly developed a passion for making objects that are both useful and engaging.
Her work encourages interaction, with pieces meant to be displayed, used, and enjoyed in daily life. Maria is especially drawn to the unpredictability of the kiln, where her signature satin mint glaze can transform into a range of colors including peach, pink and purple.
More online
Local Art Lift artwork can be purchased online at https:// cabarrusartscouncilgiftshop.cloveronline.com/Local%20Art%20 Lift%2026.
The photos shown are examples. Each finished piece will be very similar in style but completely unique!
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 28-May 4)
Montage of the Still Frame with April Simmons Thursday, April 30, 6-8 p.m. — In this 2-hour demonstration, participants will join April Simmons to learn various mixed media techniques and processes. April will demonstrate how she builds out her composition in Photoshop and then moves to acrylics, oils and the other mediums used to create her work. A materials resource list will be provided on the day of the demonstration. For more information, visit Montage of the Still Frame with April Simmons — The Galleries — Cabarrus Arts Council.
Old Courthouse Theatre Presents: Sweet Charity – April 30 – May 10 — Hapless but unflappable Charity Hope Valentine desperately seeks love in New York City in the 1960s. In this exuberant, groovy, hilarious musical comedy, Charity tries again and again to find her dream and make something of herself. It features such memorable songs as "Big Spender," and "If My Friends Could See Me Now." For tickets and more information, visit the Old Courthouse Theatre webpage: https://bit.ly/OCTtickets.
Cabarrus Art Guild Workshop: A Taste of Paper Marbling: Japanese and European StylesSaturday, May 2, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Curious about paper marbling? In this half-day introductory experience, students will explore two distinct approaches to this centuries-old art form: Japanese suminagashi and European combed marbling. We'll begin with suminagashi, the ancient
Japanese practice of floating ink on water to create delicate, organic patterns. This is an accessible (and very "Zen") entry point into marbling, allowing participants to quickly begin creating original designs. In the second part of the class, the instructor will demonstrate traditional European marbling techniques, and students can take turns working on a shared marbling tank to experience these classic combed patterns firsthand. Participants will leave with a collection of their own marbled papers (which can be used in collage, book-and cardmaking, decoupage, etc.) and a foundational understanding of Japanese and European marbling. No prior experience is necessary. For more information, visit www.cabarrusartguild.org.
Next week
(May 5-May 11)
Coffee and Crafting (CON) Monday, May 4, 10-11 a.m. — Ages 18+ – Start your week off right, with coffee and a craft at the Concord Library. This month's craft we'll make Sharpie Seashells. Adults only. Registration is required. For more information, visit Events for May 2026 – Cabarrus County Public Library: https:// bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Improv 101 (CON)Tuesday, May 5, 4-5 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 Events for May 2026 – Cabarrus County Public Library: https://bit.ly/ CabarrusLibraryevents.
Upcoming
If All the Sky Were Paper by Andrew Carroll Performances: May 14-16 at 7:30 p.m. and May 17 at 2:30 p.m. The Story: After bestselling author Andrew Carroll found a riveting, heartfelt letter written by a distant cousin deployed as a pilot in World War II, he embarked on a trip to all 50 states and to more than 30 countries across the globe, including two active war zones, in search of more wartime correspondences. The letters and emails he found — by combat troops, medics, nurses and chaplains, as well as family members on the home front and civilians caught in the crossfire of battle — came to represent to Carroll the "world's great undiscovered literature." They weren't just about warfare, he realized, they were about the human condition itself — love and longing, courage and resilience, grief and hope, compassion and mercy, and, ultimately, reconciliation. For tickets and more information, visit the Old Courthouse Theatre webpage: https://bit.ly/OCTtickets.
Live at the Davis Theatre: Words to Live By Featuring Guerilla Poets– May 15, 7:30 p.m. — Words to Live By comes to the Davis Theatre on May 15 for an evening of music, spoken word, and personal storytelling about struggle, survival and hope. Created by Cabarrus County resident Jim Love in partnership with the Cabarrus Arts Council and Guerilla Poets, the show brings together artists exploring mental health and recovery — rooted in the belief that strong communities begin with honest conversations. Content may not be suitable for all viewers as this show contains heavy subject matter; viewer discretion is advised. For tickets and more information, visit www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org.
Live at the Davis Theatre: Rissi Palmer – Friday, May 29, 7:30 p.m. — Trailblazing singer Rissi Palmer made country music history with her debut single "Country Girl" and continues to shine in both the country and Americana scenes. From the Grand Ole Opry to The White House, her powerful voice and presence have captivated audiences nationwide. For tickets and more information, visit www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org.
From Zines to Stained Glass: A Mixed Media Visual Arts Summer CampJune 1-5, 9 a.m. to noon — Ages 8-11. Get ready for a fun-filled, half-day program for young creatives. Experimentation, creativity, and the use of recycled materials are at the core of this summer camp. Projects such as zines, artist trading cards, tinfoil art, and faux stained glass, to name a few, will be created throughout the week. Students will explore a variety of arts and crafts and have fun along the way. This camp is designed to introduce young creatives to new art activities using recycled materials and to help them develop stronger problem-solving skills over the course of the week, all under the leadership of instructor Noël Ali. For registration and more information, visit www.cabarrusartscouncil.org.
Choir Camp for Young VoicesJuly 20-24, 9 a.m. to noonAges 7-12. Singing together is a fun and inspiring way to build musical skills and connect with others! Join us for Choir Camp, led by Jacqueline Yost — no experience needed! Pending enrollment, campers will be placed into a choir that best fits their experience level. Along with group singing, campers will have a chance to play ukulele as an elective, with plenty of fun activities in between. The week wraps up with a public performance at the Davis Theatre to showcase their hard work! For registration and more information, visit www.cabarrusartscouncil.org.
Ukulele: Level Up! Summer CampJuly 27-31, 9 a.m. to noon Who doesn't love a ukulele? Students ages 9-14, with at least some prior experience playing ukulele, are invited to join us for a week of learning and fun. We'll find some new chords, learn to play melodies, practice arranging songs, learn some fingerstyle patterns, and have a great time making music together. The week will conclude with a group performance at the Davis Theatre. For registration and more information, visit www.cabarrusartscouncil.org.
Ongoing
The Cabarrus Art Guild's Open Art Tuesdays — Every Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Guild welcomes visitors for firsttime 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 6:307:30 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, stressfree, 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.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Find the complete arts calendar online at www.independenttribune.com.
