The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is excited to host artist Cindy Free's first solo exhibition. Volumes in Bronze: A Sculptor’s Library of Moments features works created from 2022 to the present, including several new sculptures. Free's rendition of the Sugar Plum Fairy, a character from The Nutcracker ballet, is one of the bronzes that will be unveiled at the opening reception. The reception will take place at the Central Library on Tuesday, December 16, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., immediately following BPL's Holiday Open House.

Inspired by her experience as a ballet dancer and the founding artistic and executive director of Birmingham Ballet, Free began “The Nutcracker Collection” in 2023. Each year she adds another bronze to the series. In addition to Sugar Plum Fairy, Free’s exhibition showcases 17 sculptures of figures such as the Greek goddess Athena, a mermaid, and dancers engaged in a pas de deux.

Sketches, clay studies, and molds will be on view next to Free’s finished bronzes to show visitors the multiple steps involved in creating a bronze sculpture. The artist’s intention is to illustrate “how ideas take shape—how a fleeting feeling can become a permanent work of art.”

There will also be an interactive component of Free’s installation. Visitors are invited to take part in The Guestbook of Moments, sharing memories or stories they might preserve in bronze, thereby forming a living dialogue between art and community. “My hope is that this exhibition inspires reflection, curiosity, and a deeper appreciation for the ways we can tell our stories—without words, but through form,” says Free.

About the Artist
Cindy Free is a figurative sculptor whose works are rooted in romantic realism. Her sculptures weave precise detail with a sense of movement, transforming fleeting expressions into enduring form. Using the lost wax method, she creates figures that feel on the verge of taking a breath, offering intimate glimpses of spirit and movement suspended in time.

Free’s work has been featured in juried shows and gallery exhibitions, in addition to figurimg among many private collections. She teaches classes for UAB’s ArtPlay and other community arts programs. As a member of the Birmingham Arts Alliance and the National Society of Arts and Letters, Cindy supports and advocates for artists across disciplines. She continues to expand the presence of figurative sculpture in the South—bridging classical tradition and living expression.

Learn more about Cindy Free on her website at cindyfree.com and on Instagram @cindyfreesculptures. Volumes in Bronze: A Sculptor’s Library of Moments is part of BPL's Art for Everyone exhibition series, made possible by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Toni Toney describes her new show as “a love letter to the kids who dream big; even when the world tries to shrink them.” Inspired by her work with adjudicated youth in Montgomery, “Chalk Dreams Outside the Lines” comprises large-scale paintings depicting young boys engaged in thought and activity and smaller works based on children's crayon drawings.Toni Toney is a visual artist whose layered portraits and mixed media works explore themes of identity, memory, and transformation. An opening reception will take place on Friday, November 7.

Exhibition Statement

"This work honors imagination, freedom, and the stories we carry from childhood into adulthood. The large paintings show boys in quiet moments of reflection, stillness, and strength. In between, smaller pieces feature actual crayon drawings made by kids; drawings that were almost thrown away. I saved them, added to them, and gave them new life on canvas. Together, these works remind us that every scribble, every doodle, every daydream has value. This show is for the child who sees the world in color. For the adult who forgot how. For anyone who’s ever been told to stay inside the lines and chose not to." - Toni Toney

About the Artist

Drawing from personal experience and cultural reflection, Toni Toney's work speaks to the inner child, the overlooked, and the everyday moments that shape who we become. In addition to her studio practice, Toni teaches art to adjudicated youth at the Mount Meigs campus of the Alabama department of youth services, an environment that continually deepens her commitment to storytelling and creative empowerment. She earned her undergraduate degree from Troy University and her Masters in Art Education from Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM).

Virginia L. Montgomery: Blue Moon Cocoon
January 15–March 21, 2026
Opening: Thursday, January 15, 5-7pm

AEIVA presents Blue Moon Cocoon, an exhibition of recent video, sculpture, and photography by Texas-based artist, Virginia L. Montgomery (VLM). VLM’s surreal, synesthetic artworks unite elements of mysticism, physics, and neuroscience through an idiosyncratic visual vocabulary of recursive symbols and gestures, including imagery of luna moths the artist hand-raises in her studio. Orbits, circles, and spheres invoke scientific principles like the Coriolis Effect—the theory that matter swirls into circular formations—unifying the work around a sense of cosmic awe at the interconnectedness of matter and motion, from the microscopic to the planetary.

Virginia L. Montgomery (VLM) is an award-winning experimental filmmaker and multimedia artist working across video, performance, sound design, and sculpture. She received her MFA from Yale University and her BFA from The University of Texas at Austin. VLM has had solo presentations with The New Museum (NY), Times Square Arts (NY), Museum Folkwang (Germany), Wright Lab at Yale University (CT), The Lawndale Art Center (TX), False Flag (NY), and Hesse Flatow (NY). She has also exhibited in group exhibitions at institutions including SculptureCenter (NY), Ballroom Marfa (TX), Blanton Museum (TX), Contemporary Austin (TX), La Panacée-MoCo (France), The Hessel Museum at Bard College (NY), Banff Centre (Canada), Socrates Sculpture Park (NY), Kunsthal Charlottenborg (Denmark), and Tate Film at Tate Modern (UK), among others.

Image credit: Virginia L. Montgomery, Luna Moth with Stars, 2025. Courtesy of the artist.

Members of Birmingham’s Swamp Poppas band join us when they are able. All musicians are welcome and encouraged to bring their instruments and join in a casual jam. Dancers are encouraged to bring friends that dance. We will stream music before/after the jam. True Story Brewing has a full bar, food, and space to gather. Please join us!

NYC Trained Improvisers bring their talents to the Magic City. Come laugh into the new year with comedy fresh out of Faraway Theater!

The Art for Everyone visual arts series at the Birmingham Public Library kicks off the new year with a solo show by watercolorist Sophie McVicar Tate. "Gathered Sanctuary" opens on Friday, January 23, in the Central Library's Fourth Floor Gallery. Inspired by scientific illustration and religious iconography, McVicar Tate’s ethereal depictions of animals reflect a holistic, sometimes contradictory interpretation of the natural world.

A reception for the artist will take place on Friday, February 13, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. To learn more about McVicar Tate and her work, visit her website at https://www.sophiemcvicar.co/. The Art for Everyone exhibition series is made possible in part by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts awarded to the Friends Foundation of BPL.

Grab your curiosity and get ready to uncover Birmingham’s best-kept secrets. In Secret Birmingham, local writer Cherith Fluker leads you from the ordinary path to explore the surprising stories that make the Magic City unforgettable. Birmingham’s civil rights history is powerful and well-known, and there are so many more tales waiting to be discovered. Did you know the city is the birthplace of Veterans Day? Or that it’s home to Vulcan, the world’s largest cast-iron statue, proudly watching over the city? You’ll wander past the Heaviest Corner on Earth; explore a peaceful Japanese Garden honoring Birmingham’s sister city, Hitachi, Japan; and learn about the city’s sky-high dreams of a dirigible docking station. There’s even a sculpture honoring Frank Stitt, Birmingham’s own James Beard Award–winning chef, who helped put the city on the culinary map. From quirky landmarks to rich cultural connections, Secret Birmingham is your guide to the unexpected side of this booming Southern city. Locals and first-time visitors will discover new reasons to fall in love with Birmingham’s charm, history, and hidden treasures. Adventure awaits, and this book is your compass. Book signing to follow; books available for purchase.

Friday, January 23, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Large Auditorium

The Homewood Library Foundation is excited to welcome local legend and award-winning journalist John Archibald for a fundraiser on Friday, January 23 at 6:30 p.m. The evening will feature refreshments and a new talk about the South and the world around us showcasing his trademark observations and, if at all possible, hope for the future. Mr. Archibald will be available to sign after the talk and books will be available for purchase. Tickets are $45 each and may be purchased at homewoodlibraryfoundation.org.

Dancing into Success is a free, day-long experience designed to support dancers as they explore pathways beyond the studio. The event brings together college dance programs, industry professionals, and community partners to share insight on careers in dance, higher education opportunities, and the skills needed to thrive on and off the stage.

Through panel discussions, interactive sessions, and direct access to mentors and resources, participants gain practical guidance on training, funding, career planning, and professional development. Open to students, educators, and emerging artists, Dancing into Success offers an inspiring space to learn, connect, and envision what’s next.

City Center Art is Space One Eleven’s afterschool studio art program for students of all skill levels and is designed to build visual communication skills and foster creative thinking. Throughout the semester, young artists learn the elements of art and principles of design, strengthen foundation skills, and further their understanding of art criticism, art theory, and art history.

Teaching artists balance instruction between creating and responding—young artists make, discuss, and write about their work—thereby facilitating a transformative learning experience for young artists.

Space One Eleven’s philosophy is to provide an environment in which young artists can learn, create, explore, and forge their own path into the world of art. All CCA young artists participate in the end of year exhibition and open house at the end of the Spring Semester.

Students are welcome to join the art class any time during the school year if seats are available. Class cost will be pro-rated for those who join later in the semester.

Blackbox Theatre Workshops offer to teach standard acting and stage skills to adult performers of any age or experience. Be dressed ready to move!

Blackbox Theatre Workshops offer to teach standard acting and stage skills to adult performers of any age or experience. Be dressed ready to move!

North America's largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner theatre show is now playing in Birmingham, AL! Solve a hilarious true crime murder mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!

Join us for an event that is very different from a traditional mystery dinner show. Our actors are not dressed in costume and are hidden in the audience! This results in a fun, social and interactive evening suitable for all adults.

Each ticket includes our signature award-winning mystery dinner theatre show, along with a full plated dinner, waitstaff gratuity, and plenty of surprises during the show.

It’s Mardi Gras Season and it’s time to have fun! Saturday Night January 24 The Mardi Gras Murder Mystery Dinner Event will take place at Arlington Historic House and Gardens.

Step into the mystery and magic of Mardi Gras Seson at the Arlington Historic House! This is an in-person event, hosted by TV Personalities Southern Ghost Tours ! You are invitesd to don your best mask and Mardi Gras colors if you like, and unravel clues in a thrilling interactive murder mystery set in New Orleans during Mardi Gras Season.

Expect an evening full of secrets, suspense, and lots of fun. Get ready to mix and mingle, investigate, and celebrate Mardi Gras Season like never before!

Enjoy a Farm to Table Dinner by Chef Matthew Murphree at the beautiful 1840's Arlington Historic House .

This Event is perfect for date night, friends night, family night, group night, any type of celebration and more .

You may tour the beautiful 1840’s Mansion with its array of priceless antiques and it’s beautiful manicured gardens .
Arlington Historic House is the oldest surviving home in Birmingham and has a storied past . It's collection of historic antiques, artwork and artifacts are among the many treasures you will find in the museum.

More information can be found by contacting your host at www.southernghostgirls.com

This is an interactive event, but participation is optional. Costumes, Mardi Gras masks and accessories are optional.

Free secured parking inside the gate adjacent to the mansion.

The Alabama Screendance Festival at Sidewalk Cinema is where movement meets the magic of film. This dynamic program brings dance off the stage and onto the screen, showcasing short films created specifically for the camera, where choreography, cinematography, editing, and sound come together as one art form.

From intimate solos captured in close-up to bold ensemble works set in unexpected locations, Screendance invites audiences to experience dance in new, cinematic ways. The camera becomes a creative partner, revealing details, perspectives, and emotional depth impossible to see from a theater seat. Each film is a world of its own, visually striking, emotionally resonant, and endlessly inventive.

This screening celebrates innovation, storytelling, and the power of movement to connect us across disciplines. Whether you’re a dance lover, film enthusiast, or simply curious about something new, Screendance offers a fresh, immersive experience that lives at the intersection of art, motion, and imagination.

Join us at Sidewalk Film Cinema and Festival for an evening where bodies tell stories, cameras dance, and film comes alive through movement.

You can be part of the only business event of Caps Company UK, where quality meets creativity in headwear. Find our new collections of custom caps, and find contacts with professionals in the industry. Since the materials used are of high quality, and the design is made special to the brand, feel how we can make brands shine. Connect, work in groups and be inspired with new cap solutions designed to make a difference and fashion.

Step into an interactive murder mystery where the suspects feel a little too familiar. Inflation, Student loan debt, Interest rates, Government shutdowns and are all attending the wake. But who dunnit? Everyone had a motive..but who delivered the final blow?

What to Expect:

Upon arrival, each guest will receive a character card with their name, personality, hidden motives & tasks. Mingle with other characters through out the game & share details about yourself, but be mindful not to reveal too much. Keep your backstory & secret tasks hidden unless instructed to reveal them. Stay in character throughout the event!

Game Rules:

1. Stay in Character: Immerse yourself in the role & have fun

2. Pay attention for instructions for each phase.

3. Complete all Tasks by PHASE 4.

4. Work Together: Share information & theories to uncover the truth.

5. Keep your eyes & ears open.

Winning the Game:

The winner is the player or players that correctly identifies the killer & explains their motive during the final vote.

(Ages 0-12) For this Valentine’s Day, help us make some Valentine’s Day cards for our beloved community helpers. The Homewood Fire and Police Departments are always showing up for our community and what better way to show our love for them by making them some sweet cards! Supplies will be provided.

This partnership with the Birmingham Zoo brings together science and art in an engaging series held every Tuesday in February. Inspired by artist Virginia Lee Montgomery’s art on view in AEIVA’s galleries, explore the intersection of art and science with hands-on activities that showcase how combining two disciplines can help us look at our surroundings in new ways.

Feb 3: Butterflies under the microscope with a watercolor artmaking activity
Feb 10: Sounds in nature
Feb 17: Life cycles and the myth of the lunar moth with a model magic artmaking activity
Feb 24: Nature's dyes with a make and take dye activity

(Ages 0-12) For this Valentine’s Day, help us make some Valentine’s Day cards for our beloved community helpers. The Homewood Fire and Police Departments are always showing up for our community and what better way to show our love for them by making them some sweet cards! Supplies will be provided.

Come on, ease on down the road! Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion are on their way to the Emerald City, with a nonstop party of rock, gospel, and soul music to carry them on their adventures. Everybody rejoice!

Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience as Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s landmark album Blues for Allah with a full live performance of the album in its entirety. This powerful tribute brings together world-class musicians from across Detroit’s vibrant music scene, honoring the Dead’s experimental spirit and the enduring legacy of Blues for Allah. Curated and led by Don Was, this genre-spanning concert blends jazz, funk, rock, and improvisation in a way only Detroit can deliver—don’t miss this historic celebration of one of the Grateful Dead’s most iconic recordings.

Come on, ease on down the road! Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion are on their way to the Emerald City, with a nonstop party of rock, gospel, and soul music to carry them on their adventures. Everybody rejoice!

Come on, ease on down the road! Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion are on their way to the Emerald City, with a nonstop party of rock, gospel, and soul music to carry them on their adventures. Everybody rejoice!

Come on, ease on down the road! Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion are on their way to the Emerald City, with a nonstop party of rock, gospel, and soul music to carry them on their adventures. Everybody rejoice!

(K-5th Grade) Join Miss Aaliyah to learn about art concepts through books and hands-on activities. Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

Join Chaotic Good Improv for a night of live improv comedy at your favorite local indie cinema: Sidewalk! There's a full bar so you'll have the liquid courage necessary to join us on stage for some audience participation. There's also a great concession stand if you just want to sit back, eat chocolate, and watch the silliness.

Come on, ease on down the road! Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion are on their way to the Emerald City, with a nonstop party of rock, gospel, and soul music to carry them on their adventures. Everybody rejoice!

Gather your girls for a joyful evening of creativity, worship, and connection. Paint & Praise is a faith-filled experience designed for Christian women to come together, enjoy uplifting music, paint inspirational canvases, and share fellowship in a relaxed and welcoming space. Light refreshments will be provided as we celebrate sisterhood, creativity, and God’s love this Galentine’s Day.

Come on, ease on down the road! Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion are on their way to the Emerald City, with a nonstop party of rock, gospel, and soul music to carry them on their adventures. Everybody rejoice!