About Ron

Ron Bates is a freelance graphic artist, muralist, set designer, and internationally-published illustrator. Ron is also the stage production director at the Charlotte Players, and a faculty member at Studio Seven Center for Creative Studies. Ron’s cartoons are published regularly in The Charlotte Sun and Harbor Style, and have also appeared in USA Today, Gator Country, and on the nationally-syndicated television show Fox & Friends. Ron has been the recipient of numerous first-place journalism awards for his editorial cartoons from such prestigious organizations as The Florida Society of News Editors, The Florida Press Club, and The National Newspaper Association. Ron was also recognized for his contribution to the 2016 Pulitzer Prize won by the Charlotte Sun. Ron not only has murals painted throughout the nation, and designed sets for over 35 theatrical productions, but he has also custom designed, constructed, and painted beautiful pieces of furniture housed in ten libraries throughout the state of Michigan, and at the famed Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. Ron’s most recent national commission came from designing the official commemorative t-shirt for high-wire legend Nik Wallenda’s historical Chicago Skyscraper Live! stunt. Ron was also invited to participate in the internationally-recognized and highly-selective ArtPrize Seven competition!