Dr. Portia M. York is a Charlotte-based fiber artist, educator, and scholar whose work explores identity, well-being, and the intersection of mathematics and fiber arts. She has been developing her crochet practice since 2009, building on skills first learned at the age of ten at a youth summer camp in inner-city Boston.

Dr. York founded York Creative Education Group and serves as a Fiber Arts Professor at Lenoir-Rhyne University, with prior teaching experience at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Urban Education, a Master of Business Management, and a Master of Advanced Crochet Stitches and Techniques certification. Her academic and creative work focuses on urban education, arts integration, and the role of the arts in STEM and STEAM learning. Her artistic practice emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of crochet while merging mathematical structures with visual storytelling. Dr. York has taught crochet to youth and adults in Charlotte, Santa Fe, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Haiti, Guatemala, and the Bahamas. Her work has been widely exhibited and engages audiences through its dynamic presence and commitment to honoring heritage, community, and creative expression. In addition to teaching college level art, Dr. York works as an Education and Management consultant supporting mission-driven nonprofit organizations in Charlotte, Boston, and Rock Hill with their advancement of educational programming, business strategy, and fund development. She also teaches business administration courses at Central Piedmont Community College.

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As a member of The Society Incorporated, Supporting the Arts in Greater Charlotte, Dr. York promotes artistic excellence and community service to uplift the next generation. Driven by a commitment to underserved youth, York works to enhance opportunities for exposure and empowerment for talented young literary, visual, and performing artists. Additionally, Dr. York has served as both a moderator and panelist for post film screening community discussions at Independent Picture House.

 

Dr. York is the author of The Influence of Dramatic Arts on Literacies for Black Girls in Middle School and has published widely on arts integration, STEAM education, and the experiences of arts in education. Dr. York’s previous work was as a school administrator in a North Carolina private school for 15 years supporting students with diagnosed learning disabilities. 

 

Dr. York believes… whatever gift you carry, make space for it!