Charlotte Studio Artists in Search of New Home Amid Looming Displacement

Speaking with members of the Charlotte Studio Artists Relocation Steering Committee in the organization’s NoDa facility on a recent Saturday afternoon, one throughline emerged: change is constant and should be expected, if not welcomed.

It’s an understandable line of thinking for any artist or arts organization in Charlotte, especially one that formed out of another displacement that occurred less than two years ago.

Spearheaded by a leadership team that left Charlotte Art League on Raleigh Street after revelations about the executive director’s financial mismanagement led the entire board there to quit and the organization to downsize, Charlotte Studio Artists (CSA) signed a lease in fall 2024 to occupy space in the Johnston YMCA’s Child Development Center in the heart of NoDa.

In the 18 months since CSA’s grand opening in January 2025, CSA’s partnership with the YMCA of Greater Charlotte has been a great fit, bringing an artistic presence back to the city’s “historic arts district” long after the last gallery was priced out of the neighborhood and forced to shut its doors.

Read more: Charlotte Studio Artists Find Home at Johnston YMCA (2025)

Since its opening, the facility surged past 7,000 visitors and CSA has grown to 35 resident artists, expanding its footprint by 40%. It was named Best New Arts Incubator in Queen City Nerve’s 2025 Best in the Nest issue. However, new plans for renovations and redevelopment at the Johnston YMCA campus have left CSA’s future in limbo.

Three years after a plan to sell the property to a developer fell through, the Y has committed to upgrading its Johnston campus. That means razing the Child Development Center, leaving CSA looking for a new home in a city where affordable arts spaces are few and far between.

The team hopes to remain in NoDa, where they’ve enjoyed a wonderful reception, attracting regular traffic to their open studios on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and third Thursdays from 5-8:30 p.m. They also offer regular workshops that draw creatives from around the city to learn lessons in sketchbooking, sculpting with found items, jewelry making and beeswax collages, among other mediums.

“We would really like to stay in NoDa, we really like it here, but I don’t know if that’s gonna happen,” said Catherine Kanvik, a founding member of CSA.

“I think we need NoDa as much as NoDa needs us,” added Stephanie Gainer, a CSA artist who serves on the Relocation Steering Committee.

CSA’s leaders have been in regular discussions with YMCA of Greater Charlotte about how the organization might fit into its future plans at the Johnston site, but it remains unclear how a continued partnership might play out.

“The YMCA has continued working through its internal program planning process for the Johnston campus,” read a statement from the YMCA of Greater Charlotte to Queen City Nerve. “That work will help determine how YMCA programs will be organized within the campus before final architectural plans are developed.

“As part of that planning, the building currently occupied by Charlotte Studio Artists (the CDC) is expected to be removed as part of the broader campus redevelopment underway with a development partner,” the statement continued. “At the same time, the YMCA hopes to continue its partnership with CSA and is exploring whether there may be opportunities for the organization to utilize space elsewhere within the Johnston campus in the future … All future decisions will be guided by the outcome of the YMCA’s program planning, so no decisions have been finalized regarding what that could look like.”

CSA’s lease for the building lasts through the end of October, though with new construction at the Johnston site not set to start until early 2027, CSA’s leaders have said they’ve received verbal commitments to let the organization stay through Dec. 31 if needed.

“The YMCA has been working collaboratively with CSA to provide as much flexibility as possible while the organization continues its search for a new location,” the statement from YMCA read.

While members of the Relocation Steering Committee emphasize that they are grateful to the YMCA for giving the organization a home for the last 18 months, CSA may benefit from a move artistically. There are certain limitations that result from partnering with a family organization like the YMCA. There are censors on CSA’s work that block the display of certain inappropriate content such as nudity.

CSA’s latest exhibit, 250 Years of Becoming: The American Journey, did feature potentially controversial political content ranging from a burning Confederate flag to a painting of the White House frontlit with the colors of the Pride flag with no issues.

The Y placed a disclaimer on the front door of the building that read, “The artwork displayed in the exhibit reflects the individual perspectives and creative expression of the participating artists and does not necessarily represent the views, positions or policies of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte.”

Resident artist Tanya Murphy said she had to change one of her paintings that depicted a breast in an abstract manner.

CSA artists can also only access the building when the Y is open. Because the facility hosts working studios for many of the 35 resident artists, those limited hours can affect them professionally.

The Relocation Steering Committee has a working document with potential spaces, ruling some out and adding others over any given week, but thus far only temporary solutions have presented themselves.

The group is searching for a space between 8,000–20,000 square feet with accessible retail, warehouse or industrial-style space with parking in a walkable arts-oriented neighborhood. They would prefer long-term lease or ownership opportunities with space for studios, exhibitions, classrooms, and community events.

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However, with such a short timeline before they’re out of the Johnston Y site, they’re exploring all the options for the time being.

“We’re a wonderful group of artists and we have a lot to contribute to whatever community we end up in,” said Murphy, who also serves on CSA’s Leadership Committee. “Artists seem to be the first to be displaced; that just seems to be the way it is and it’s unfortunate. But I believe that there are those out there who are willing to help us and know of something. Maybe seeing this and hearing our stories could turn something up. We’re not turning away anything at this point.”

The next Charlotte Studio Artists exhibit, titled Reimagining the Masters, invites artists to boldly reinterpret iconic works — from caveman paintings to Banksy’s graffiti — transforming the legacy of the masters into fresh, provocative visions that reflect today’s perspectives. It opens with a reception on July 16 at 5 p.m.

Anyone with leads or interest in discussing options with CSA’s Relocation Steering Committee can contact chair Sheila Collins at charlottestudioartists@gmail.com.