Changes in 2017 and New sponsors

Over the last few years, Artcult International has been on hiatus due to studio relocations, donor   renegotiations, and, most beautifully, families expanding, yet 2017 aims to be our most expansive and progressive in multiple Northeast markets with the assistance of our newest Central NY donor, Sleepmaster Mattress.

When my fiancé and myself, relocated to Florida in 2011, we regretfully could no longer sustain a relationship with Artcult's original and primary sponsor, Lowe's Hardware Inc., which was based in Concord, NC, neighboring Charlotte, where Artcult facilitated and taught Art as Therapy, and creative confidence-building classes for seniors, youngsters, and many underprivileged, unfamiliar budding artists. I personally could not sustain our demand for classes and equipment, with the birth of our daughters in subsequent years, and thus, since I have anchored all elements of Artcult since I conceived and created it in 2008, the blog and various functions of our services have not been consistently updated or rendered.

During that time we have maintained relationships with our previous recipients, and have cultivated associations with new organizations who can benefit from, and are anticipating, from myself, our art educators, and our affiliates, the high-quality art materials, education, entertainment and therapeutic benefits that Artcult has provided in the past. I have personally, over the last couple of months, taken myself out of the demanding insurance sales career that has sustained our family, to be a work-from-home, artist-father and art educator. This change has empowered me the freedom to enjoy their youth, as well as allow myself time to teach, as I previously did in Charlotte and Florida.

The passing of my mother in March reminded me how sharing ideas in good company have been the happiest moments of my life, and my soul beckons me to devote more time to enlightening the lives of others through symbiotic creative channels, as she showed me. My mother nurtured and encouraged me to expand my artistic horizons, a university education expanded my educational tool belt, and now I am ready to renew my commitment to serve my communities, educate and learn along with my friends, and art associates. I could not be more excited to get more wind under the sails of the Artcult venture, and I wouldn't trade the time I've recently spent rediscovering the creative process with my daughters for all the riches in Babylon. The stretched canvasses, wood panels, paints, brushes, etc., we donate have never been made of better materials, due to our current sponsors, and we expect a busy year.

For more information on ways we can be of service in your communities, contact us and we will respond with a phone call, and email promotional packet, as soon as I find where my girls hid my laptop. Cheers, and thank you for your interest. I would also like to extend an appreciative mention to those who have aided this venture: Carolina International Schools in Concord, NC; Holiday Senior Communities nationwide; The Corkscrew of Birkdale Village in Huntersville, NC; Onondaga County Public Libraries, Cork & Olive in Lake Mary, Florida; Restaurant X in Davidson, NC; our highly supportive family and friends around the globe.  I sincerely hope we can promote better living through creative expression in your community soon, and stay tuned for updates on all things enriching and beautiful in art education, art therapy, and a soon a Video Blog of the art adventures of my 2 and 5 year old daughters, and also our recipients.     - Ian Reid

Artcult would like to warmly thank the McColl Center of Visual Arts in Charlotte, NC for their informative and exciting tour which was given to the art class of Shad's landing Retirement Home on Thursday, May 27th. Exhibitions and Residencies Coordinator Claudia Griffin was more than helpful and we are looking forward to coming by to admire the current artist's work in the near future. Artists such as Dan Allegrucci, Patricia Steele-Raible, and Carmella Jarvi (featured in video) opened their studios to our budding artists and we greatly enjoyed their advice.

Just announced:

Artcult has presented a commitment for the Clinton Global Initiative of donating 500 wooden canvases over the next year. Any assistance can be directed through www.kickstarter.com and will be greatly appreciated. Wish us a busy year, Cheers.

!!! NSC 2009!!! Get your tickets now

The newest installment of the Nuthing Collaborative Summer Concert Series is changing venues and beefing up the already proven excellent record of representing the QC's best artists. This year's festivities will commence at 11 am on August 15, 2009 and will showcase 20 bands for 20 bucks at the NC Music Factory. It will be an unbelievable value and a great opportunity to check out Charlotte's growing infrastructure of musical and visual artistry. Artcult will be participating at the annual Nuthing Clothing musical gala by creating live artwork and giving individuals the chance to explore their own creative energies. Don't miss out, for this is the type of all-day auditory and visual excitement that your senses have been craving, and if you ask anyone who attended last years event at Salvador Deli, they will tell you that there will not be a musical onslaught of this cloth anywhere else in Charlotte. See you there, Cheers

The future of Queen City art!

Color-field experimentation with some of Charlotte's finest art fans.

Just announced! :

Artcult will be providing art instruction and materials for Carolina International Schools in Concord, NC over the fall semester, furthering their exceptional focus on well-rounded enrichment programs and a complete education for today's youth. We would like to thank CIS for their interest in advancing aesthetic appreciations and express our excitement in being a part of such a reputable institution.

Our latest addition of smiling art-crafting faces at Shad's Landing Retirement Home in Charlotte, NC.

From left: Millie L., Helen C., Ollie G., Betty B., Georgia A., and Clarice B. They'll be presenting a show on July 23rd. Watch out art world, these girls are feisty and motivated as all outdoors.

New Arts Initiative in Charlotte

Wednesday afternoon, amidst an attentive crowd of 160 in the main theater of the Fillmore at the N.C Music Factory, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and UNCC presented an analysis of the Business Growth Index for 2006 and 2007. The BGI is a barometer of spending and involvement in the Arts of Mecklenburg and the 12 counties in closest proximity. A presentation outlining the need for a new framework for creative exploration in our diverse communities was shared based on the popular enthusiastic desire for cultural development.

Arts and Science Council's Robert Bush announced they and the Chamber are launching a Creative Charlotte Committee made up of creative business people.

In their own words:

"Over the next year, the ASC will engage the creative workforce in a dialogue about their strengths, opportunities and challenges. ASC will also leverage the skills, talents and passion of the Charlotte Chamber's Creative Industries Council. Based on this input, the steering committee will develop a strategy for advancing the role of creative industries in this market.

Both organizations understand the need to attract and retain highly-skilled workers, develop creative industries, as well as expand markets for creative products and services. ASC and the chamber have often collaborated to address community issues and engage the private sector in important conversations. Both organizations are committed to working to advance the creative industries as a key sector in our local economy."

More details will follow on opportunities for both Artcult and our affiliates to help. Volunteers , as always, will be needed but creative thinking and proactive attitudes will be most vital to develop this initiative. Stay tuned!!

Artcult on the Road

Summer art classes are underway all over the Queen City and Artcult is hitting the road! We currently have programs that need volunteers, so anyone interested in stretching out the creative mental muscle and spending a little time with a grateful and appreciative soul should not haste in letting us know your availability. Most classes last just over an hour to three hours and we teach/ mentor groups of all capabilities including the elderly, mentally or physically handicapped, low-income families, and others in need. Everything necessary for the classes will be provided and the memory will last a lifetime.

Most importantly, make something genuine and share it.

The Arthouse in Noda Art Crawl

The Arthouse in Noda will be opening their doors on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of every month and you would be foolish to miss out on this fantastic opportunity to see some of the best art your city has to offer. Free to the public and always entertaining, the Arthouse is an artist co-op home to over 10 professional artisans willing to discuss their work and encourage the exploration of creativity. Ian will be pouring wicked delicious wine and handing out free blank wood panel surfaces for young artists courtesy of Artcult Inc., so bring out the kiddies and get them excited. Cheers and we hope to see you there!

Artcult on Location!!! Downtown QC all summer

Artcult International will be part of the Center City Green Market this Friday and Saturday at the corner of Trade St and Tryon St in downtown Charlotte. Artcult members will be selling work from local artists and providing information about opportunities to volunteer. Check out our booth for details! Cheers, and hopefully we will be able to hold this spot all summer.

Grand Opening...The Anti-TV Initiative

Good day brethren.

In hopes of fashioning a widened awareness of our art world, we will from this moment on invest our time and energy to promote individuality and acceptance. A sad fact about our society is that fear has become our master. The young feel they have no voice, the old fear no one cares, the handicapped are often ignored, and those in between are losing their potential to bridge this gap.

Somewhere since the invention of the television, our journey for self-exploration has become a mission for few and not most. Common knowledge says judge and demean, not constructively critique and that has created a depressed state of human interaction. Widely respected art always been a thing for the aristocracy to enjoy and the underprivileged to envy, and we aim to break down the walls of what is worthy of attention through this modern avenue of communication.

With the charitable and gracious donations of our sponsors and volunteers, we at Artcult have the potential to spread the tide of artmaking to those without the means and this is why we are here. Using recycled wood, donated materials, and the attentive, generous time of our art educators, we will bridge the gap over those who can and those who cannot. All are welcome to help us pioneer this initiative and we encourage you to contact us if you would like to join our collective.

As a treat, we will also be regularly interviewing giants of the modern art world and those who, though unnoticed by popular culture, boldly venture into the realms of artistic communication and deserve to be recognized for their passion. This will include all of the arts; painting, sculpture, theatre, video, fiber, installation, poetry, ahhhhhh, so much art and we will give them all their due respect.

Trust that we will neglect no medium, and strive to expose our audience to all that is substantial and educational. Please be an active part of this journey and find yourself at home with a movement which longs to hear your voice. Be heard, be revived, be here.

A million thanks to all who have helped this dream come to fruition, and we live off your feedback so do not be quiet. Let us know what we need to know to be a complete service and you will be rewarded by our sincerest hard work and attention. Cheers

Ian Reid

Mission Statement

Through art education, art therapy and creative experimentation, we, the Artcult take back the reigns of our voices and open the doors to all who may wish to have their souls be heard. We aim to make art accessible for the young, old, underprivileged, and unskilled to promote the ideals of a society that refuses to let corporate media have us watch and not do.

We are human beings with the capacity to innovate and create at will. Our initiative is to grow and educate through artistic expression, not commercialize and segregate.

Aesthetic underground... Redefined.

Join us.

{ Artcult }