Free Creative Workshop Coming to University City Regional Library This Fall
A free and imaginative workshop series is coming to Charlotte this fall, offering teens and adults a chance to explore global cultures through storytelling and creative world-building. Listening Labs is presenting Around the World in Objects: A World-Building Adventure at University City Regional Library, and the cost of admission is zero — making it an accessible option for families and individuals across South Charlotte, Fort Mill, Indian Land, Waxhaw, and beyond.
Whether you’re a creative writer, a curious learner, or simply looking for a meaningful way to spend a Saturday morning, this workshop series is worth putting on your radar.
What Is Around the World in Objects?
Around the World in Objects is a workshop experience created and presented by Listening Labs, an organization dedicated to fostering creativity and community through storytelling and imaginative exploration. The concept is both simple and compelling: participants examine everyday objects from cultures around the world and use those objects as the foundation for building fictional worlds, characters, and narratives.
World-building is a core skill in creative writing, game design, screenwriting, and interactive storytelling. By grounding the exercise in real-world cultural artifacts, Listening Labs adds an educational layer that makes the creative process richer and more connected to lived human experience.
Who Is This Workshop For?
The workshop is designed specifically for teens and adults. If you have a high schooler who loves writing, gaming, or creative projects, this is an excellent opportunity. Adults who enjoy speculative fiction, tabletop role-playing games, creative writing groups, or simply lifelong learning will also find this workshop engaging and well-structured.
This is not a passive lecture or a traditional library program. It is an interactive, hands-on experience that encourages participants to think creatively, collaborate, and build something imaginative together.
Event Details at a Glance
- Event: Around the World in Objects: A World-Building Adventure with Listening Labs
- Dates: Select Saturdays (check registration for specific dates)
- Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Location: University City Regional Library, 5528 Waters Edge Village Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Cost: Free
- Registration: Requested (not walk-in only)
- Audience: Teens and adults
Registration is requested, so plan ahead and secure your spot before the sessions fill up. Free events with structured programming like this tend to attract strong interest, and space at library workshops is typically limited.
Why This Matters for South Charlotte Residents
Residents of South Charlotte communities — including Ballantyne, Pineville, Waxhaw, Fort Mill, Indian Land, and Tega Cay — are always looking for quality programming that doesn’t come with a hefty price tag. Free, enriching workshops like this one fill an important gap, especially for teens who may not have access to formal creative writing or game design courses outside of school.
Creative programs focused on storytelling and world-building have measurable benefits for young people. Research consistently shows that creative writing and collaborative storytelling improve critical thinking, empathy, and communication skills. For teens navigating the pressures of high school and college preparation, a low-stakes creative outlet can be genuinely valuable.
For adults, workshops like this one offer a rare chance to engage in structured creative play in a community setting. Whether you’re a hobbyist writer, a parent looking to connect with your teen through a shared experience, or simply someone curious about world cultures and storytelling, this event checks multiple boxes.
A Note on the Library Location
University City Regional Library is one of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system’s larger regional branches, well-equipped to host community programming. The library regularly partners with local and regional organizations to bring free educational and creative events to Charlotte residents. This partnership with Listening Labs fits squarely within that mission.
About Listening Labs
Listening Labs is an organization that creates community-centered experiences around storytelling, listening, and creative exploration. Their programs are designed to bring people together through shared imaginative work, drawing on objects, sounds, and cultural touchpoints to spark conversation and creativity.
Their approach to world-building — using physical objects from global cultures as narrative prompts — is a distinctive method that bridges cultural education and creative fiction in an accessible way. Participants don’t need to come in with prior writing experience or any specific background. The workshop is designed to be welcoming to newcomers and rewarding for experienced storytellers alike.
How to Register
Because registration is requested rather than walk-in, it’s important to plan ahead if you’re interested in attending. Visit the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library website or search for the Listening Labs event listing to find the specific Saturday dates and secure your spot.
If you’re signing up for a teen in your household, check whether the program recommends a parent or guardian be present or whether teens can attend independently. Library workshops of this type often accommodate both scenarios.
Looking for More Free Events in South Charlotte?
If you enjoy discovering free and low-cost events in the South Charlotte area — from Fort Mill and Indian Land to Ballantyne and Pineville — South Charlotte Report covers local happenings, development news, and community updates regularly. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook to stay informed about what’s coming to your community.
Events like the Around the World in Objects workshop series are a reminder that meaningful experiences don’t have to come with a cost. Charlotte’s library system, in particular, continues to be one of the most underutilized community resources in the region, offering free programming for children, teens, adults, and seniors throughout the year.
Final Thoughts
Around the World in Objects: A World-Building Adventure is the kind of free event that’s easy to overlook and easy to regret missing. If you have a teen who loves creative storytelling, gaming, or learning about world cultures, this workshop could be a genuinely memorable Saturday morning. And if you’re an adult who’s been looking for a creative outlet with a community feel, Listening Labs delivers exactly that.
The workshop runs on select Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at University City Regional Library, 5528 Waters Edge Village Drive, Charlotte. It’s free to attend, and registration is requested. Don’t wait too long to sign up.
South Charlotte Report covers news and events relevant to Indian Land, Fort Mill, Waxhaw, Tega Cay, Ballantyne, and Pineville. Follow us for updates on local development, community events, and real estate trends across the South Charlotte region.
