About Us
MISSION:
At the Grand Strand Charter Arts School, we empower students to develop and discover their artistic voice and excel academically. Through an innovative arts-integrated curriculum, we foster creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong passion for learning in a diverse and inclusive community.
GOALS:
Students will develop proficiency in visual and performing arts through meaningful experiences that promote perseverance, experimentation, and mastery.
Students will have a strong foundation in academic principles to become artistic leaders in society.
Students will develop a strong sense of community involvement through artistic culture and leadership.
meet our Founding Board
OFFICERS

Ashlea Sovetts
Ashlea Sovetts is a creative entrepreneur who is able to flow between a variety of different roles. Ashlea’s passion for her work derives from curating experiences from all of her favorite interests: art, wine and wellness.Ashlea has spent the past decade working as a professional dance artist performing nationally and internationally, an academic professor and an international program administrator developing various academic, artistic and wellness programming in the US and in Italy.Throughout her career, she has successfully performed, taught and choreographed at different universities, festivals and residencies including: Texas Woman’s University, (TX) University of North Texas, (TX) Winthrop University, (SC) Columbia College, (SC) University of South Carolina (SC) Emory University, (GA) Henderson State University, (AK) OBOC CounterTechnique (NYC), Philly Fringe, (PA) BOOM CLT Festival, (NC), Dance Masters of America, Staibdance Summer Intensive, Sorrento, Italy, the Rensing Center, Liguria, Italy, and more.Ashlea not only creates and performs, but develops. She has built relationships with international partners in the art sector and wine industry throughout Italy; organized academic and artistic programming nationally and abroad, consulted with education organizations and has collaborated to successfully write, publish and build the first Visual and Performing Arts school--Grand Strand Charter Arts--in her home community of Myrtle Beach, SC set to open in fall 2026.Ashlea’s compassionate nature is the focal point for all her community-building initiatives. Her vision is to facilitate inclusive environments at home or abroad for students and clients to feel seen, heard and acknowledged.

Erica Vasquez
Erica Vasquez has built a career spanning human resources, law enforcement, and higher education, and currently serves on the staff of Coastal Carolina University’s College of Humanities and Fine Arts. With a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Briarcliffe College, she brings valuable expertise in management and organizational leadership. A proud resident of the Grand Strand for more than a decade, Erica is deeply engaged in the local arts community, volunteering with several youth theater organizations and championing opportunities for young performers. Her family shares her passion for the arts; her son studies music at the Eastman School of Music, while her daughter is active in local youth theatre and loves to draw and create stories. Erica embraces her role as an Arts Ally, believing that access to the arts is essential for a vibrant and thriving community.

Vacant

Katherine Hunt
Katherine Hunt joins the board of Grand Strand Charter Arts School as its Secretary with nearly a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership. In addition to a certificate in nonprofit management from Winthrop University, she served as the Director of the Ingram Planetarium. With a rich background in interdisciplinary education and science communication, she also serves as President of the Southeastern Planetarium Association. Katherine is passionate about fostering innovative programs that blend science and the arts to create holistic and accessible learning experiences for all students. Her involvement in planetarium education has been instrumental in building strong, collaborative communities across the Southeast that inspire curiosity and lifelong learning.
MEMBERS

Angie Knight
Angie D. Knight, Esq., is a seasoned attorney and founder of Grand Strand Law Group, LLC, established in June 2009. She serves as Managing Partner and leads the firm’s legal practice across three offices in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Loris, South Carolina. Her firm provides comprehensive services in real estate law, estate planning, probate, and business law, supporting individuals and small businesses across the Grand Strand region.Born in Covington, Georgia, Angie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Georgia State University in 1998. Angie then began teaching high school theatre, enjoying the arts while shaping young minds. In 2002 Angie decided to expand her education, obtaining her Juris Doctorate at Loyola University New Orleans School of Law in 2005. To complete her legal studies, Angie completed her final year of law school at the University of South Carolina, School of Law in Columbia, to lay roots in South Carolina.Angie’s unique combination of creative arts training and legal leadership fosters a visionary approach—balancing analytical rigor with artistic sensitivity. Known for her client-centric approach and community involvement, Angie is also a dedicated dog lover and avid reader, often spending downtime with her beloved pups.



Principal Steve Wilson

Steve Wilson
Mr. Steve Wilson has spent more than 25 years as an Art teacher and Principal throughout South Carolina in various public schools where he supported the academic growth and artistic development of young people from kindergarten through 12th grade. He is honored and delighted to have been tapped for the position of Principal for Grand Strand Charter Arts School.He writes, “It is a dream come true to be part of a community so rich with talented students of the Arts, and to create an organization that will build a legacy of excellence in the Arts here in the Grand Strand region. I am honored to support this vision, and to represent this arts and culture hub where young artists can come to train and develop.”Mr. Wilson was born in New Jersey and is a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, with a degree in Art (Design). He holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Cambridge College in Cambridge, Massachusetts.