Member Login
Join
Donate
Member Login
Join
Donate

Stories of Impact: Visual Arts and Performance Center

Provided by VAPA and edited by Lindsay VanGorden

At VAPA, our unwavering commitment to our mission statement, “To cultivate accessible exhibition and creative workspaces to inspire and nurture the relationship between artists and the community,” drives every facet of our organization. We take immense pride in fostering an environment where artists and the community coalesce in a harmonious partnership, ensuring the continuous enrichment of our artistic and cultural tapestry.

Community involvement and art enrichment stand at the core of our endeavors. Our recent participation in the Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF) is a testament to our dedication to this mission. Several esteemed tenants, including the incredibly talented visual artists Laurie Smithwick, Rebecca Lipps, and Mark Doepker, diligently crafted captivating public art installations specifically for CIAF. These vibrant creations graced our gallery and spilled out into the public sphere, captivating and inspiring passersby with their beauty and creativity.

In addition to providing a haven for visual artists, we have worked tirelessly to establish a nurturing environment for performing artists. Vision Elite Royalty Dance Studio, a performing arts company at VAPA, showcased its exceptional talents during the Charlotte International Arts Festival. Furthermore, “A Night in Harlem,” a magnificent production hosted by Blumenthal Performing Arts, was rehearsed in the very heart of our building’s dance studio.

Upcoming VAPA Events

Every first Saturday of the month, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., VAPA hosts our Open Studios, where the community can explore our space and see what artists are working on. There is always a rotation of specialized events happening during Open Studios, such as art talks, performances, and workshops for the community. Be sure to mark your calendar for:

  • Vapaversary, March 2, 2024 – Fundraising campaign launched during this time
  • Crown Party, May 18, 2024 – Party in observance of Queen Charlotte’s birthday 

Return to Blog
Scroll to Top

Janet LaBar

Executive Director​
jlabar@womensimpactfund.org

With more than 25 years of experience, Janet has a proven track record of leading organizations and teams in developing strategies that foster thriving communities. Her career is dedicated to the well-being of the places she serves, and the people and businesses within them, positioning her as a trusted sounding board, critical thinker, and purposeful protagonist across corporate, government, education, entrepreneurial, and civic spheres.
Janet joined Women’s Impact Fund in June 2025 to guide one of Charlotte’s most respected, women-led philanthropic organizations into its next phase of growth and impact. In partnership with the Women’s Impact Fund team, Board, Advisors, members, volunteers, and key community partners, she will continue strengthening communities by maximizing women’s leadership in philanthropy through collective giving, education, and engagement.
Inspired by her family, teams who dare greatly, and people and communities striving to be their best selves, Janet’s impactful career includes leadership roles as President and CEO of Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, President and CEO of Greater Portland Inc, and Chief Performance Officer of Greater Phoenix Economic Council. As a first-generation Filipino American, her lived experience deeply informs her professional drive to create equitable economic growth and opportunity in the metro areas she’s served.
She holds a BA in Communication Arts from the University of West Florida and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix. Janet and her husband James are proud parents to an older daughter, and a daughter and son who are twins.