Charlotte SHOUT! Celebrates Creative Culture in Charlotte

Charlotte SHOUT! fosters a creative culture in Charlotte

Charlotte SHOUT! has returned for the third consecutive year. The event ran from March 29 to April 14, 2024, and there were plenty of opportunities to see all that Charlotte offers. SHOUT! is an art festival in Uptown Charlotte that lasted over two weeks. Residents could participate in fun events and opportunities for the community to experience and enjoy.

Art, Food, Music, and Ideas

“Charlotte Shout! has been something that brings people together in a way that no other art festival does. It brings together cultures and inspires people to bring exactly what they have to the table,” said Ingrid Swanson, the vendor for My Whimsicalities.

The event focused on four pillars: art, food, music, and ideas. Each theme has several interactive opportunities at SHOUT!

Highlight on Art

Art is most highlighted among the four pillars at the event. Installations like Luminous Lane, Eggs on Parade, A Walk in the Shadows, Melody of Spring, and Optik art could be found throughout the event.

“It’s a way for the whole city to incorporate color and vibrancy into the architectural spaces and to have more happiness in the day,” said Chanimal Shepherd, an artist in Luminous Lane.

Community Involvement

SHOUT! was a significant community event because of its popularity and the opportunities it provides to artists. Hundreds of artists, dancers, and creators were involved in the event, some of whom sold their artwork while others created artwork specifically for the event.

“I’ve met so many different creative people, from visual art to usable art, and it’s such a great opportunity cause you get so many different ethnicities and ideas and so many different beliefs, and it’s a great way complete strangers come together under one common idea, which is art, regardless of how they create,” said Martha Martin, a vendor at the event.

Vendor Variety

Vendors made and sold art, from fashion design and jewelry to sculptures and soaps. “I have met vendors anywhere from painting and doing things with acrylics and hand drawing and others whose art is baking,” said Martin.

“There are some other vendors who do some specialty candles and there are vendors who are here that do services and there are some that do health like yoga and outdoor experiences, so it’s a wide range.”

Embracing Creativity

SHOUT!’s call to art began in late October and early November, giving artists and creators over six months to plan for the event. Artists and vendors were to expect an inventory that could last two weeks.

“I have all of these artworks that I work on throughout the year, and having this opportunity to bring them here and see people get really excited about them just lights up my heart and gives me passion and enthusiasm to keep on going,” said Swanson.

Boosting Charlotte’s Creative Culture

The arts festival is essential for the artists and the local community in Charlotte. With easy access to hundreds of artworks and ideas, Charlotte’s creative culture got a boost. Overall, Charlotte SHOUT! was an essential event for the community, helping local artists have an artistic space for all ages.

“Regardless of age, generation [or] gender, it helps everyone to open up their creative side and discover new things about themselves,” said Martin.

Conclusion

More information on Charlotte SHOUT! can be found on their website.