Ms. Meikle started hosting figure drawing at ‘Unorthodox Studio’ in the summer of 2017. This group ran late-night cheap sessions where artists of all levels could attend, practice their medium, and enjoy a liquid libation. Unorthodox Studios closed its doors in March 2020, and the name unfortunately got lost in the ether.

Now, years later, Creative Convergence CLT began at Free Range Brewing in January 2021 with a simple goal: to provide free, accessible figure drawing sessions for artists of all skill levels. What started as a small gathering centered on working from a live nude model has grown into a thriving creative community dedicated to learning, practice, and artistic connection.

Today, Creative Convergence CLT continues to offer free figure drawing sessions while expanding into portrait sessions and exploring additional locations for future programming. Looking ahead to 2027, the organization hopes to bring these opportunities to even more artists throughout the region.

Whether someone is picking up a sketchbook for the first time or maintaining an established creative practice, Creative Convergence CLT provides an affordable and welcoming environment for developing observational skills and working from life. For artists seeking more formal or intensive instruction, organizations such as the North Carolina Academy of Art and other regional educational programs can offer additional training and study opportunities. Scroll down to see some recommendations.