Category Archives: art

Meet the Art Before ArtWalk

Posted on August 25, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Photo: Checking out the art at last week’s Artwalk Preamble held at Rojo. Andrea Walker

For seven years, Birmingham has hosted ArtWalk, a juried art show that features all types of artwork on display for the public to enjoy and purchase. Each year, Artwalk organizers have held a Artwalk preamble fundraiser, to raise money for the event. However, this year organizers tried something different. Instead of just one night where donated art is showcased, it’s been broken down into four separate nights during the month of August. On each night, a different type of medium is on display. For instance, on this Thursday night at Rojo, participating artists contributed their photography.

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In Love With: Art in Plain Sight

Posted on June 19, 2008 by | 3 comments

Birmingham is not often considered a hot spot for public art, but perhaps we need to take a closer look. Throughout the city, you can find art out in the open—maybe even along the streets you travel every day—representing a kaleidoscope of styles. Here are a few of my favorites, along with the locations so that you can spot them the next time you drive by.

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In Love With: Magic City Art Connection

Posted on April 22, 2008 by | 1 comment

For me springtime in Birmingham means beautiful weather, colorful flowers, and Magic City Art Connection. Even before I dabbled in art, I enjoyed wandering among the artists, soaking in all the creativity in the air (floating alongside the intoxicating scent of funnel cakes). In fact, it was at a Magic City Art Connection that I rediscovered block printmaking and got inspired to explore it again.

The 25th edition of the city’s biggest art festival is this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Linn Park downtown. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, it’s free, and it’s a vibrant event you really shouldn’t skip. More than 200 artists from around the city, state, and country will be scattered throughout the park, showing the magic they’ve made using paint, watercolor, pencils, ink, wood, fiber, metal, and who knows what else. You don’t have to buy anything, but I guarantee you’ll see something you’ll like—and perhaps something to spark your own artistic ideas.

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Art on the Rocks rolls into 2008

Posted on April 9, 2008 by | Leave a comment

2007 Art on the Rocks logoOne of central Alabama’s hottest tickets returns for a 4th season as Art on the Rocks turns the Birmingham Museum of Art into one of the hottest venues in town. This year’s series begins on May 16 with a performance by The Dynamites (before you . We’ll be updating the destinations calendar with dates and information in the coming days, but follow the jump to take a look at the acts that will be (weather permitting) gracing the Sculpture Garden with their presence (and music). As always, the doors open at 5 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. Continue reading →

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Got plans this weekend? 12.14 – 12.16

Posted on December 14, 2007 by | Leave a comment

Zoolight Safari signageBaby it’s cold(er) outside. Just in time for the Zoolight Safari at the Birmingham Zoo. I like Christmas, I like the holiday season and I really, REALLY like me some lights, which means I’m so going to the zoo like a dozen times starting tonight. And I can because it’s open 15 nights – December 14-23 and 26-30 from 5-9 p.m. Besides the half a million lights, there’s a light show with music, crafts for the kids at the Barn in the Children’s Zoo, Santa and snow. Snow? Yes, the zoo claims to be “the only place in Birmingham where it snows every night.” That I’ve got to see. And since I’m going to want to see it again and again, it’s a good thing I’m a member. Members get in free, so now is a great time to join and support your local zoo. Regular admission is $7 and everyone pays to ride the train.

Here’s some fine print: The zoo will be closing at 4 p.m. on Zoolight Safari days. Animal exhibits will be closed during the event. Continue reading →

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Got plans this weekend? 11.30 – 12.2

Posted on November 30, 2007 by | Leave a comment

Wow! December 1 might be the most over-scheduled day of the year – everyone wants to kick off their holiday season Saturday. Makes me wonder what we’re going to do the rest of the month besides fight the crowds at the mall.

If you like a parade, there’s four to choose from:

Homewood: 9 a.m.
Starts at Homewood Library, through downtown Homewood and ends on Central Avenue at Homewood Park. Downtown Homewood is said to be the best location to view the parade.

Center Point: 11 a.m.
Starts at Cathedral of the Cross church near the Birmingham city limits and ends at the Post Office Shopping Center.

Vestavia Hills: 10 a.m.
Parade travels down Highway 31 South from Shades Crest Road to Canyon Road.

Mountain Brook: 3 p.m.
Starts at Crestline Elementary, heads through Crestline Village to end at Dan Watkins Drive. The shops of Crestline Village will have their annual Home for the Holiday Open House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Craft fairs and movies on the other side of the jump…

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Posted in alabama, art, events, holiday, homewood, mountain brook, Vestavia Hills

Blue’s Reviews: Megan Kimber/Dia de los Muertos

Posted on November 13, 2007 by | Leave a comment

In one night earlier this month, art reviewer M. Blue Horn visited two very different art exhibits. Listen as she introduces you to the work of Megan Kimber, a new-to-Birmingham painter of fantastical images, at Nordys Gallery, then journeys a few blocks over to explore the Mexican fantasyland of Dia de los Muertos at Bare Hands Gallery.

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Got plans this weekend? 11.2 – 11.4

Posted on November 2, 2007 by | Leave a comment

If you’re like me, you’re ready to get on with the weekend. So this will be short and brief with lots of links.

Tonight, it’s all about the art, or at least art galleries. Bare Hands Gallery is celebrating its 5th Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival tonight. On their website, scroll down to see the festival lineup that includes children’s craft time and live music. The event is free but they’d like to see a donation of $10. You can find the gallery at 109 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. South.

And we’ve heard from very reliable sources that there’s some impressive art hanging at Nordys Gallery. The opening reception for SCAD alum Megan Kimber is tonight from 6 – 9 p.m. Great thing about art is – if you’re just looking – it doesn’t cost anything to expand your mind. You can also learn some more about the plans that the gallery has in M. Blue Horn’s most recent review.

“Celebrating nature, open spaces and eco-ideas through art and design” is the theme of the Moss Rock Festival. It’s two days of food, music, art and kid’s activities at that groovy new Hoover subdivision you’ve been curious about. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event at The Preserve in Hoover is free and even has a free shuttle from Regions Park (formerly the Hoover Met).

I know I don’t have everything listed, so if there’s something else, comment down below.

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Posted in 35205, 35233, alabama, art, birmingham, hoover, reviews

Blue’s Reviews: Bruce Holwerda

Posted on November 2, 2007 by | Leave a comment

Ten shows spotlighting nine artists in ten weeks?

Nordys Gallery is taking up that challenge this fall, and art reviewer M. Blue Horn stopped by to check out the creations of one of the featured artists, painter Bruce Holwerda. What did she think of his work and the gallery? Find out in her latest podcast.

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A creative day in Avondale on Saturday

Posted on October 25, 2007 by | Leave a comment

Kids don’t need much but there are a few must-haves besides food, shelter and clothes. Fresh air is an example. Kids need to get outside to explore the world around them. It helps them grow and gives them exercise. Another example is a creative outlet. Kids, especially little ones, need a way to express themselves and sometimes they just don’t know the right words. Art expands their minds and fuels the imagination.

Art in Avondale Park poster

Lucky for kids of all ages, there is an event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that combines fresh air with creativity. The mission of Art in Avondale Park is “to inspire children to discover their talents.” They’ll be able to do just that through lots of hands-on activities placed around the park, located at the corner of 41st Street South and 5th Avenue South. There will also be music and dance, booths manned by well-known and emerging artists, a silent auction and more.

Details of the day’s activities after the jump. You can also click on the image to view the poster in PDF format.

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Posted in 35222, alabama, art, birmingham, entertainment, festivals