It’s not often you meet a native Charlottean, but we found one. This unicorn has been living in the Plaza Midwood area for over 30 years with a partner she absolutely adores. During this interview, long time musician, actress and nonprofit organization founder Gina Stewart shares details of her life as a Charlotte community member fortunate enough to make her livelihood acting and supporting the arts.
L’Monique King: What led you to becoming an artist?
Gina Stewart: I went to UNC-Charlotte in the ’80s. At that time, I wanted to be a music artist. I played the electric bass guitar but couldn’t major in electric bass guitar at the time. Back then, if you were a music major you had to pick your instrument, but they didn’t offer electric bass guitar, so I opted to go with voice, but I didn’t want to sing opera, so I ended up gravitating towards acting and received a B.C.A (Bachelor of Creative Arts).
LMK: Any thoughts on this year’s Oscars? Did you watch?
GS: Fundamentally I don’t like contests or comparisons of the best when it comes to art. It’s art and everything is valid to me. But I did watch this year’s Oscars. The whole ceremony was way elevated, dignified and I loved it. I’ve said many times, the decisions were difficult because everything nominated was good in different ways.
LMK: Past or present, who are your top three favorite actors/actresses?
GS: <Without hesitation> Meryl Streep, Vivian Lee & Viola Davis.
LMK: Top three favorite films?
GS: “Being John Malkovich,” “Gone with the Wind” (the whole spectacle of that thing) and I still love “Terms of Endearment.” I like story films, narratives. I don’t really go for the action films very much. I watch Disney, documentaries and art films. Love “The Lion King.”
LMK: We’ve heard that you’ve done some things that might have put you on the red carpet. Care to share a few details on that with our readers?
GS: <Laughs> I made a living as a film and stage actress appearing in regional theater productions like “Wildwood Flowers.” the story of June Carter-Cash, the wife of Johnny Cash and Off Broadway in “Good Ol’ Girl.” I’ve done quite a bit of film also. I was in “The Walking Dead” in seasons seven and eight; working for Eugene’s Team. I was the older lady (laughter) making bullets, passing out sponges, supplies and arguing with Eugene. And I’ve done other shows as well like “Walker Texas Ranger,” “Homeland,” “Rectify” and others filmed in the Carolinas and Atlanta.
LMK: How do you make your livelihood today?
GS: I’m executive director of VisArt, housing the largest collection of film and video on the east coast. It includes a cafe and a screening room holding about 100 people. It is the coolest space in Charlotte. It’s comfortable, warm and an incubator for artists. I’ve tried my hardest to make it a space where people feel comfortable for all artists, regardless of genre.
LMK: What’s the best thing about being a business owner?
GS: I wouldn’t say I’m an owner because a nonprofit is owned by the community and funded through people’s donations and grant money. It’s about people having a need for us.
LMK: What have you found most challenging about being at the helm of a nonprofit?
GS: Well, there are several things in today’s modern world and climate. Getting grants and funding is more challenging now than ever. I have been leading this nonprofit for about seven years. Right when we became a nonprofit, there was COVID. The people who work for nonprofits aren’t making a lot of money. With a staff of about 10 people their welfare is concerning to me, that they make a living wage. It’s going to be artists that come up with the type of creative thinking that will push us forward, because we’re in deep, deep shit right now. The other issue is handling the workforce, people who are in the workforce of different generations. Their priorities and what they want out of life are different. I don’t attribute this to any specific generation. We’ve all been traumatized by so much, people haven’t had time to heal from it all. We’re all walking around just trying to heal and sometimes [that causes us to] clash.
LMK: What concerns you most about our current administration?
GS: Oh my God! I grew up in the military with a career Airforce dad, living in DC most of my young life – believing in the sacredness of democracy. My father’s job was to guard Airforce One during the Nixon administration. Today, I find myself all over the place with this administration. In the first Trump administration I never thought I would live to see the fall of the greatest democracy ever. If you truly believe in the constitution, which says all men are created equal – which means all people, then these things that are oppressive and full of hate and have no place in a democracy. I’m also concerned with the lack of empathy, the lack of compassion, the judgment, the attitude that some people are better than other people. The foundation of that really bothers me. Either we’re all equal or we’re not. Thinking we’re not, thinking God made some less than others gives birth to all kinds of things and it seems like we’re headed backwards into that [type of mentality]. We’ve fought these fights for women’s rights, gay rights and have come so far and now I’m hearing the same things I heard growing up – things I thought we’d overcome. Mostly, I’m concerned about a judicial system that will not provide us with any defense or recourse for this.
LMK: Considering all that, if offered the opportunity to leave the U.S. would you relocate?
GS: I’m glad you asked me that. I would leave for the sake/safety of my family, my partner but I would not in my soul ever be at peace with it because I was brought up to be a proud American and would feel like I was deserting my [extended] family. I think it would be more difficult for me than most because of my military background.
LMK: Since you mentioned your partner, answer this – what do you think is her best quality?
GS: She was trained as a raw-food vegan chef, but we’re not vegan – though she makes great vegan dishes and great vegan desserts, but I can’t pick a best trait. My wife is phenomenally gorgeous and she’s super talented. She has an incredible ear for music, plays the violin by ear and she sings. She’s pretty brilliant.
LMK: Okay, let’s get personal. What’s your worst habit?
GS: <Chuckling> Disorganization. I’m bad at time management. I start a lot of things and eventually finish everything, but I start too many things at once. I’m a Libra and just about everything they say about me as a Libra is me – almost across the board.
LMK: What’s your greatest fear?
GS: Violence.
LMK: And your most resounding joy?
GS: Collaboration.
LMK: What do you now know that you wished you’d known at 25?
GS: At the risk of sounding egotistical I’m going to say that I know something about my own worth and my own uniqueness that I didn’t grasp when I was younger.
LMK: Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us. If you have some words of advice for young LGBTQ community members, what would you say to them?GS: Hang in there. We’ve fought this fight before and by God we’ll fight it with you now. Be who you are and be courageous. Us older people – we’ve got your back.