Today we’d like to introduce you to Chas Chapman.
Hi Chas, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in the Washington DC area 90’s skateboard scene where I curated my love of music and subcultures. Went to art school at Pratt in Brooklyn, after dropping out and wandering a few years I ended up moving to NC Where I went to cosmetology school and found a career I loved that fed my need to work with my hands and my search for constant growth.
After creating a great super busy career at two busy high-end studios I found myself wanting my own space. I then made the de to open a private studio where I could curate the front of the space with my collections of mid-century modern, art, vintage clothing, vinyl records, and skateboarding where it was opened in January of 2020 before having to temporarily close in March for Covid.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
After its opening in January of 2020 and being forced to close in March due to Covid, it was super difficult. I had invested everything I had into the space and was left extremely stressed out for the first year. Going a few months with barely any income and completely changing the pace and way I worked after being able to open made me reevaluate.
I shifted my focus to finding a couple of amazing vendors to pop up in my space and towards more sales in the front of the shop to offset my new hairstylist normal of following new state guidelines. Also shifting from my art gallery goals being that I had to limit the number of people that could be in the space.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My approach was to create a space that was different, eclectic, and always evolving. A place that would attract other creatives to want to show art, host art workshops (figure drawing, etc), do photoshoots, A space I could easily transform to host events, gallery shows, live music, and a community-based approach that was sustainable by my work as a hairstylist.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
I’m always open to collaboration, and will always try to support artists in my community. I love when people reach out with the idea of hosting something in my space. I’ve been really dedicated and inspired lately by working with a local group Skaters For Moore, trying to get a public skatepark built in my community.
Contact Info:
- Email: chaspresley@gmail.com
- Instagram: @create.studio.nc
Image Credits
Zion McKnight