IMPACT OF CREATIVITY
Cabarrus Arts Council celebrates transformative power of the arts
Students from GW Carver Elementary School, directed by Matt Minchew, perform at Breakfast for the Arts.
Students from the Central Cabarrus Multicultural Dance Ensemble, directed by Rosemary Giraldo, perform at Breakfast for the Arts.
Students from Cox Mill Dance Ensemble, directed by Lindsay Blackburne, perform at Breakfast for the Arts.
Board Chair Robbie Furr performs Sweet Cabarrus thanking sponsors and corporate supporters.
CABARRUS ARTS CALENDAR
On May 7, the Cabarrus Arts Council welcomed 800 supporters, artists, educators and community leaders to its annual Breakfast for the Arts, a fast-paced and inspiring morning dedicated to celebrating the transformative power of the arts across Cabarrus County.
Since 2002, Breakfast for the Arts has served as one of the organization's premier fundraisers, bringing the community together over a catered breakfast, live performances and personal stories that highlight how arts programming continues to enrich lives.
This year's event once again highlighted performers of all ages while emphasizing the growing reach of the Cabarrus Arts Council's programs and initiatives. Guests heard firsthand how their investment in the arts is creating opportunities for students, supporting local artists and expanding access to creative experiences in communities across the county.
Executive Director Liz Fitzgerald reflected on the organization's momentum.
"Your investment is paying off in remarkable ways," Fitzgerald said. "You are welcoming new visitors to our gallery every single day. You are supporting over 80 individual artists who do Art Walk and fill the downtown, and it's incredible to see the vibrancy of that. You are investing in the Davis Theater, where we've seen a 40% increase in ticket sales this year."
Fitzgerald also highlighted the Cabarrus Arts Council's commitment to making the arts accessible to all students, sharing the story behind a colorful tissue-paper quilt displayed during the event. The project was created by students who may not always be able to participate in traditional arts programming because of sensory sensitivities or disabilities.
"We were able to bring in Maya Freelon to create a quiet, hands-on sensory experience for those students," Fitzgerald said. "And look at the beautiful color that comes out of that."
Another major point of celebration was the rapid growth of Art on the Go, one of the Cabarrus Arts Council's outreach initiatives that brings creative workshops directly into communities.
"This time last year, we had done 12 of these workshops in the year and felt really proud of that," Fitzgerald shared. "We have done 36 workshops this year, workshops for kids and for adults. These workshops are led by creative individuals whose profession it is to lead this work."
Originally launched in Midland, the workshops have now expanded into all five municipalities across the county.
Board Chair Robbie Furr reinforced this mission.
"Every single year, the Cabarrus County Arts Council works to ensure that the arts are not reserved for a select few, but they are accessible to everyone in our community, especially our students," Furr said.
The Cabarrus Arts Council is so grateful to the sponsors and supporters who champion the arts throughout the region. It's not too late to support their $100,000 Breakfast for the Arts fundraising goal! Donate today by visiting: https:// apps.cabarrusartscouncil.org/ breakfast-for-the-arts.
The morning's success was made possible through the support of sponsors, volunteers, performers and production partners, including AV support provided by Mark Russell and Crown Productions.
Breakfast for the Arts 2026 Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor: Eli Lilly and Company
Host Sponsor: Embassy Suites Supporting Sponsor: Uwharrie Bank Sustaining Sponsors: Publix
Charities & Huntington Bank Contributing Sponsors: Market Street Studios & Sublmnl
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
(May 26-June 1)
Too Much Noise! with Sharon Clarke (CON)— Wednesday, May 27, 10:1511 a.m. — Family — Join us for an engaging hour of music and storytelling with the multi-talented Sharon Clarke. Sharon weaves together stories and songs, creating an atmosphere of learning and adventure, while inviting the audience to participate in the telling of an old Yiddish folktale, Too Much Noise! All are welcome. For more information, visit Events for May 2026 – Cabarrus County Public Library: https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
Paint & Chat (KAN)— Thursday, May 28, 6-7:30 p.m. — Ages 18+ — Join us for a fun painting project! Chat, paint and maybe learn a new skill. The painting project will vary each session with hands-on guidance provided. No registration, and supplies are limited. For more information, visit Events for May 2026 — Cabarrus County Public Library: https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
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.
Coffee and Crafting (CON)— Monday, June 1, 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 USA door hangers to celebrate 250 years! Adults only. Registration required. For more information, visit Events for June 2026 — Cabarrus County Public Library: https://bit.ly/CabarrusLibraryevents.
From Zines to Stained Glass: A Mixed Media Visual Arts Summer Camp— June 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, tin-foil 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.
Upcoming
Choir Camp for Young Voices— July 20-24, 9 a.m. to noon — Ages 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 Camp— July 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 6:30-7:30 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 4:306:30 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.
■ EDITOR'S NOTE: Find the complete arts calendar online at www.independenttribune.com.
