" " Meet Our First Creative Impact Cohort Participants
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Meet Our First Creative Impact Cohort Participants

A horizontal logo with the word "creative" in a bold, purple lowercase font. A lime green lightbulb icon stands in place of the letter "i," featuring small yellow rays at the top. Below this, the words "IMPACT COHORT" are written in a clean, black, uppercase sans-serif font.

We're excited to announce the first group of artists selected to our Creative Impact Cohort!


The Creative Impact Cohort (CIC) builds capacity for local artists of all disciplines by providing financial support for projects developed and implemented by artists in all phases of their career living in Cumberland County. Cohort members further benefit from monthly project management and development meetings with seasoned Arts Council staff and professional guest speakers.


Through varying artistic disciplines, each project contributes to the creative landscape of our community while strengthening the collective creativity and collaboration within the cohort.


The following artists and projects were selected to complete their projects as part of the inaugural Creative Impact Cohort:


Amanda Virelles (Music) — My Language is Beautiful / Mi Idioma es Hermoso: a bilingual project examining how children encounter language in music.


Lauren Falls (Visual) — Where We See Ourselves: Rooted in Reflection: mixed-media botanical portraiture exploring Black identity, mental health, and nature


Beth Hess (Literary) — You Are Already Amazing: a 32-page picture book for ages 5–8 celebrating one's inherent worth and uniqueness.


Karsheam Simpkins (Visual/Film) — Nourishing Hope: art, storytelling, exploring homelessness and food insecurity in Cumberland County.


Angela Williams (Visual) — The Process of Becoming: mixed-media collage, printmaking, and textile works under the theme “Layers of Becoming.”


Mary Bird (Literary) — Southern Shores: a 62,000-word novel telling the story of a matriarchal family set on the coast of North Carolina.


Brittany Williams (Visual) — Conversations in the Mirror: photography exhibition exploring the contrast between outward appearance and inner perception.


Sterling Harlston (Music) — The History of Music History/Development:  a chamber music concert exploring classical music’s relevance by highlighting underrepresented composers.


Lakiesha Williams (Literary/Performance) — The Voice of Lakiesha Peezy: an intimate spoken-word showcase tracing a journey from childhood to present


Learn more about the Creative Impact Cohort here.


For regular updates on the Arts Council, follow this organization on Facebook (@ArtsCouncilFay) or Instagram (@artscouncilfay).

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