2020 Newsletters

November

December

WELCOME

Hi! I'm Madison, the founder & editor of Carolina Muse Literary & Arts Magazine.

If you're here, you have either: 1. subscribed to our monthly newsletter, or 2. submitted your work to our magazine. Thanks for being my truest pals. Your support means the world to me, and I hope you'll stick around for some monthly musings from yours truly!

Here's the lowdown: I have creative arts advice for all artistic mediums, local Carolina arts events (don't worry, they're virtual and/or socially distant in-person), and my favorite, some creative inspiration from my lovely & talented team.

IT'S THE CLIMB

Are you stuck in a writer's block? Artist's block? Dare I say, musician's block? Well, you, my friend, have come to the right place. I am here to tell you that it's not about how fast you get there or about what's waiting on the other side.

I give you: the climb [to the perfect piece].

Step one. Slow down. Stop everything you're doing, & don't even try to come up with a creative idea. Breathe. Our minds are constantly being over-stimulated, and all of those Tik Toks you've been watching are going to clog up your creativity pores. Wash your face, get off Tik Tok, and practice boredom to reset your idea clock.

Step two. Edit! This is my favorite recommendation. Helping others perfect their art will remind you of what distinguishes a good piece from a not-so-good one. Think of it like washing your car. By the end, you've most likely cleaned yourself in the process, too✨

Step three. Create something using a different medium than you're used to. Never written a poem? Stretch those poetic muscles & write one! Know the exact emotion you're trying to capture in your short story but don't know how to express it? Paint or draw that emotion instead!

If you've tried each of these steps, you're on the road to creating a show-stopping piece. We'd love to see it! Click here to view our submission guidelines to submit your work before our November 30th deadline.

ARTS EVENTS

🌸 North Carolina

Nov. 21, 8pm-10pm: Jambalaya Soul Slam Annual Women's Slam
- RSVP w/ a donation to watch established & emerging poets share their poetry on stage at Hayti Heritage Center. Show is socially-distanced.
Nov. 22, 6pm: Virtual Music and Museum | 1 Cent Life
- Charlotte's The Bechtler Museum's exhibition, 1 Cent Life, inspires this month’s free virtual concert, engaging with themes present work by composer Zhou Long
Nov. 25-26, 10am-5pm: Arts & Crafts Drive-About Tour
- Free, self-guided driving tour of galleries and studios in Graham and Swain County (near Robbinsville), starting at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center.
Now-February 14: Maya Freelon: Greater Than or Equal To
- Current exhibition at CAM Raleigh modern art museum downtown.

🏵️ South Carolina

Nov. 21, Dec. 5, 10am-4pm: Indie Craft Parade Outdoor Mini Market
- Admission is free for this year's outdoor mini market. Over 20 unique artists will be featured at Maker's Collective in Greenville.
Nov. 20, 8pm: Stop Light Observations Concert w/ Sam Burchfield
- Indie rock band SLO is performing a virtual and a socially-distant, in-person concert at the Charleston Gaillard Center. $15 per virtual ticket, $50 per in-person ticket.
Nov. 25, 6pm: Awendaw Green Barn Jam Outdoor Concert Series
- Tickets for a socially-distant picnic table at Barn Jam in Awendaw County will be available one week prior to the concert. Featured artists include The Epicureans, Kenny Bryan, Mark Bryan, and Michael Tracy.

CREATIVE ARTS INSPIRATION

FROM OUR TEAM

Henry | music

Steph | art

Orpheus & Eurydice Go Grocery Shopping (excerpt)

He rips a notebook

from the waistband of her jeans,

slips a dying pen

from the knot in her hair,

sits among ice cream

residue on the freezer aisle floor,

leans on the door that shelters

pints of mint and Chunky Monkey.

How lovely, how riotous

the sharpness of her jaw, the ache

in her cheeks as she calls his name.

Annie | poetry

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Our team at Carolina Muse Literary & Arts Magazine wishes all of our lovely supporters happy holidays❄️ I don't know about y'all, but for me, the holiday season is truly what makes winter bearable (in addition to Taylor Swift's new album, of course). I can finally ignore my dry hands and frozen toes for a moment when I feel that warm feeling you get from celebrating the people and traditions you love.

This month's newsletter is all about the holiday season: The benefits of shopping local, some exciting local Carolina events (both virtual and socially distant), and of course, some arts inspiration from our team.

We have lots of new subscribers and creators joining the party, so thanks for being here and supporting us! (If you're wondering how you arrived here, scroll to the bottom for more info about Carolina Muse's Monthly Musings)

#ShopSmall2020

Just about every winter holiday involves gift giving. The warm fuzzy feeling I was talking about? That's how I feel when I find the perfect gift for my dog (I'm a mother. No drama). In all seriousness, the average American is projected to spend $998 this holiday season. Every year, but especially this year, we believe that this $1,000 average should be put toward supporting small businesses & local artists.

May I present: the benefits of shopping small.

One. Let's talk the arts. 20% of independent bookstores across the country are in danger of closing. What's even more staggering? 63% of artists/creatives have become unemployed. Supporting the arts financially will help them stay alive.

Two. Did you know that purchasing from these locally-owned businesses generates three times as much economic benefit for your community than purchasing from a chain store does?

Three. Shopping for handmade pieces either in person or online on Etsy is not only good for the small businesses you're purchasing from, but it's also good for the environment. Etsy offsets 100% of its carbon emissions from shipping🌎

Four. Local businesses bring life, creativity, and innovation to your community. Purchasing your gifts from small businesses shows that you support their creators' passions.

There are endless reasons to shop local this year. If you're as convinced as I am, head to our Instagram or Facebook to browse some of our team's favorite Carolina small businesses.

ARTS EVENTS

🌸 North Carolina

Dec. 12, 11am-5pm: Home for the Holidays Pop-Up Shop
- Shop local, black-owned businesses at this pop-up shop in Asheville. Located at GRIND Coffee Bar and Co-Working Space, music and food will be provided.
Dec. 18, 4pm-6pm: Live Holiday Music at The Honeysuckle Tea House
- Violinist David Scott Binanay will be performing holiday tunes at The Honeysuckle Tea House in Chapel Hill, NC.
Now-February: Lights at the White Water Center
- This free lights trail is half a mile long and features light sculptures inspired by nature elements like honeycombs, streams, vines, crystals, and roots. Lights are designed by Charlotte artist Meredith Connelly.

🏵️ South Carolina

Dec. 12, 9am-1pm: TD Saturday Market: Holiday Edition
- Find seasonal produce, specialty items, festive handmade crafts, holiday baskets, and more at this market in downtown Greenville, SC.
Dec. 12, 12pm-4pm: For the Love of Art Festival
- Tradesman Brewing Co. in Charleston hosts an afternoon of artwork, beer, and food. This event is outdoors and socially distant.
Open now: The Nickelodeon Theatre Holiday Movies
- "The Nick," the only arthouse cinema in Columbia, SC, has reopened and will be screening holiday movies. The theater will be at 25% capacity, and other COVID protocols will be followed.

CREATIVE ARTS INSPIRATION

FROM OUR TEAM

Kristen | photography