"Issues" is a series of new canvases by local artist Jourdan Truth McGowan. The featured paintings are imagined covers of iconic magazines, in which McGowan makes bold commentaries on culture, politics, religion, and other topics. The paintings invite viewers to engage in meaningful reflection and dialogue on the pressing challenges of our time.

Jourdan Truth McGowan is a full-time artist from Enterprise, Alabama, who brings his own experiences and cultural heritage into every brushstroke of his paintings. By telling stories that are both inspirational and deeply human, his art speaks to people of all backgrounds, transcending barriers to connect on a universal level. For more information about McGowan, www.artoftruth.guru.

This exhibition is made possible by a grant awarded to the Friends Foundation of BPL by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

“A collection of objects, no matter how mundane, tells a story” (John Bokor, contemporary Australian artist). Still life painting is timeless and universal.  Explore its endless possibilities while controlling all aspects of what you paint. Practice observation, learn composition and how to represent objects with light and shadow. We will look at the works of Cezanne, Van Gogh, Matisse and several contemporary still life artists. Class will begin with a simple still life and build skills each week.  Every class will include a demonstration, followed by students setting up their individual still lifes from objects that are provided or objects brought from home. There will be time to work on your own as well as individual instruction and group critiques for positive suggestions and encouragement.

This class is taught by Susie Caffey, a Birmingham native, who holds a BA from Furman University in Studio Art and an MA in Art Education from the University of Montevallo.  She worked in Corporate Sales for the Maralyn Wilson Gallery before beginning a 25-year career in Art education at Shelby County High School and at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central.  She has taught drawing and ceramics at the Alabama Folk School at Camp McDowell, Space One Eleven and The Fine Arts Academy at Riverchase United Methodist Church.  She is an active member of Mountain Brook Art Association, currently serving as President for 2025.

From the stages of the United States, Europe, to Asia, Yeung’s career showcases a diverse repertoire from Baroque classics to contemporary masterpieces. As a member of the renowned Percussion Collective, he premiered Alejandro Viñao’s “Poems and Prayers,” sharing stages with today’s top percussionists. Trained under percussion luminary Robert van Sice at Yale School of Music, Michael is the second percussionist ever selected for the prestigious Artist Diploma program. Passionate about education, he nurtures young talent in Hong Kong and curates innovative percussion productions, including collaborations with TEDx and Emmy Award-winning composer Garth Neustadter’s “Seaborne,” celebrating our oceans through multimedia concerts.

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. Through individually conceived projects and collaborations, 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.

Grades 2-3: Tuesday, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Grades 4-5: Monday, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Grades 6-8: Wednesday, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Grades 9-12: Saturday, 10:00am - 1:00pm

On view in the First Floor Gallery, "Art on the Inside" features works in an array of media, including watercolor, pencil, pastel, mixed-media collage, and handmade paper. The largest work in the show is an eye-catching collaboration among APAEP artists, nationally renowned artist Tameca Cole, and New Orleans-based Brendon Palmer-Angell. The present exhibition marks the unveiling of the mural, which is titled "Can You See You?".

Based at Auburn University, the Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project works to create spaces where currently and formerly incarcerated individuals can practice meaningful engagement with the arts and develop their own artistic voices. Founded with the knowledge that creativity is an essential trait of humanity, the program has grown from one poet teaching one class in one facility to hundreds of classes that have reached thousands of students at over 12 facilities. This exhibition is made possible by a grant awarded to the Friends Foundation of BPL by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Join us for a midday ArtBreak with the curators of the BMA’s latest exhibition, Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden. The William Cary Hulsey Curator of American Art Katelyn Crawford and Curatorial Assistant Hina Zaidi will give an overview of Birmingham native John Rhoden, who received international acclaim for his work. They will discuss key works in the exhibition and his involvement in major works of public sculpture, including his sculpture of the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth that stands outside the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

In this class, children will explore their imagination to create fun, interactive stories told from their own perspectives. They will work on performing short stories, helping to build confidence and develop communication skills.

Recycled Runway is an eight week program that introduces teenagers to the fashion industry in Birmingham.   They will be  introduced to various professionals that are apart of the fashion industry.   The participants will design and make an upcyle look that they will model in our fashion showcase at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

Workshops begin Feb. 12, 2025 from 5pm-7pm. Regisration is required.   Visit our website bibandtuckersewop.org to register.

This program is $120.00.

Jake Shane

Dingle native, David Geaney, a 5 X World Champion Dancer, is taking the world by storm. Honoring past traditions but blasting them feet first into the 21st century, Velocity breaks away from the idea of what an Irish dance show is to one that is expressive, free, fast-paced and edgy, driven by passion and pride! Joined on stage by a motley crew of mind-blowing musicians and an old school scratch DJ, it’s nothing like you’ve ever seen before.

(4th-12th Grade) Tweens and teens, welcome to crochet circle! This is a monthly event where we will sit our chairs in circles, and crochet together. Experienced masters and complete newbies are both welcome. We will provide all supplies, but you are also welcome to bring any projects you are currently working on. Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

As springtime arrives and sets hearts a-flutter, storyteller Dolores Hydock shares true, tender, and sometimes shocking stories of Cupid's mischief from 20, 200, and even 2000 years ago, proving that people have been "love struck" as long as there have been people. Royal scandal (true), passionate artist (true), and human frailty (unfortunately, also true) meet in these stories of what can happen when Cupid's arrows fly. Tickets are $25 and go on sale Monday, February 3 at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

Fly to Faraway for a comedy show about leaving the nest!

The Rumpshaker 5K is the largest free standing 5K in Alabama and we have had the privilege of hosting over 36,000 participants since 2009.  We have raised well over a million dollars over the past 16 years while promoting awareness about colorectal cancer.

This event is a fun, family friendly experience; runners and walkers of all ages are welcome.  Together we can make a difference by bringing attention to colorectal cancer, a preventable, treatable and beatable disease.

In this workshop, we’ll explore pyrography—the art of drawing with fire—as a means of expression, connection, and creativity. This hands-on experience will guide you through:

-Understanding the pyrography tools and how to use them with precision and control.
-Exploring various techniques such as shading, line work, and texture to bring depth and dimension to your designs.
-Learning how to transfer your own ideas and inspirations onto wood with fluidity and ease.
-Discovering the unique properties of different woods and how they influence the final artwork.

Wood will be provided, but you are also invited to bring your own wooden objects—whether it’s a turned bowl, small wooden carpentry items, or a piece with personal significance—to imbue it with your own artistic vision.

By the end of the workshop, you will have created a one-of-a-kind pyrographic piece that reflects your creative journey. No previous experience is required, just an open mind to explore the simple act of drawing with fire.

This workshop is taught by Katie Mae Adams, a local Alabama artist specializing in functional objects and sculpture. Adams holds a Bachelor of Arts from Western Kentucky University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, where she currently teaches as an adjunct instructor while also running her own fine arts business full time.

Drag Night at The Nick

With a collection of almost 30,000 works of art from around the globe, the BMA can serve as a passport to adventure. On this tour, you’ll see works from the Americas, Africa, Asia, and more. It’s perfect for first-time visitors or someone curious about the BMA’s highlights. This Saturday, join us on an exploration of the BMA’s global collection! Meet in the Main Lobby on the First Floor at 1:00 pm. Max 30 person capacity This tour is FREE Lasts approximately 1 hour No need to book ahead, just drop in

15 local singers from around Birmingham will show up to perform for a night of Jazz for our monthly Freeman Cabaret Series.

The Birmingham Art Music Alliance and Hoover Public Library present the Vuorovesi Trio, one of the leading woodwind trios of the combination of flute, oboe and clarinet. The program includes music from the trio's repertoire and new works by Alabama composers Michael Coleman, Monroe Golden, Gavin Green, Holland Hopson, Joseph Landers, and William Price.

This activity is supported by Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Vuorovesi Trio (Finnish for “tide”) is comprised of University of Alabama School of Music faculty members Diane Boyd Schultz, Mary Lindsey Bailey, Osiris J. Molina, the trio specializes in the unique repertoire for that combination, and has already garnered significant critical acclaim. Their recent performances include a special concert at the historic Cervantes Hall in Havana, Cuba, and as featured performers at the most recent International Double Reed Society Conference, National Flute Association Convention, and the International Clarinet Association ClarinetFest.

Join us on Tuesday, Mar. 25 for a sensory friendly experience at the Museum. This day will provide our visitors an opportunity to enjoy the BMA experience in a sensory modified setting. What to Expect Music, video, and audio will be turned off in the galleries, exhibitions, and the cafe Sensory Kits available at the ground floor entrance All of our touch tactiles will be out on display in our smartlab Free use of our EnChroma glasses for people with colorblindness This is a day geared toward families with members on the autism spectrum or people who have sensory sensitivities

Building With Bricks is a program offered by the Alabama Center for Architecture in partnership with the Structural Engineers Association of Alabama. We provide a week long program during Birmingham City Schools spring break a place for parents to take their children and build LEGO structures with Architects and Engineers. Kids can test their builds on a seismic shake table to see if the build could withstand our earthquake simmulator or place it on our cityscape window display for everyone to see. There will also be architectural builds, Lego builds, and models for kids to look at and learn about.

Cameron Mackintosh presents the acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES. This brilliant staging has taken the world by storm and has been hailed as “a reborn dream of a production” (Daily Telegraph). Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, LES MISÉRABLES tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More” and many more.  

Join us as September Reed shows you how easy it is to paint your own masterpiece on a mini- canvas and easel. We will provide all you need to paint your own masterpiece. Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

(4th-12th Grade) Young artists are welcome to join us and Kane Bourgeois for art classes. Learn some basics, some tips and tricks, and have fun doing it! All supplies provided, but you are more than welcome to bring any sketchbook or drawing supplies you may use, or a digital drawing interface. Register for each session online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

Willie Williams (left), Randy Gachet (top right), and Anjene Williams (bottom right) This program will feature local artists, including Willie Williams, Randy Gachet, and Ajene Williams, who will discuss the impact and transformative power of public sculpture. Inspired by the BMA’s latest exhibition, Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden, these artists will share the stories told through their sculptures that populate our city. The event, held in the BMA auditorium, will delve into the creative processes and experiences of these artists. Following the discussion, the program will transition into an interactive walking tour along CityWalk.

It’s not a concert…it’s a party! Spend a nostalgic evening saluting two of the world’s most beloved musical groups who were instrumental in creating the Rock & Roll/Doo Wop sound:

Cornell Gunter’s Coasters: Known for hits like “Charlie Brown,” “Yakety Yak,” and “Poison Ivy,” this group brings a comedic flair to their performances that will have you reminiscing about the golden age of Rock & Roll.

The Drifters: One of Rock & Roll’s founding vocal groups, The Drifters are touring the U.S. again under the auspices of their original management team. With a 50-year catalog of hits such as “Under the Boardwalk,” “Up on the Roof,” “This Magic Moment,” and “On Broadway,” they deliver a timeless sound that continues to resonate with audiences.

Combined, these two Rock & Roll Hall of Fame groups have been associated with well over forty of the top classic songs in Rock & Roll history. From “Under the Boardwalk” to “Yakety Yak,” very few artists can boast a richer musical resume. With such incredible musical diversity—from the comedy of Cornell Gunter’s Coasters to the Motown magic of The Drifters—this show has songs to please every palate, delivered just the way you remember them when you first heard them on the radio.

(6th-12th Grade) Learn how to paint beautiful paintings with oil paints. All supplies are provided. Please make sure to wear something you don’t mind getting a little dirty. Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

April Fools' Day at Ferus Artisan Ales: Prepare for a bar experience unlike any other! If you dare to sit at our main bar on April 1st, expect pranks, quirky service, and a whole lot of laughs. 21+ only. It's all a joke- play along! (No hard feelings, or reviews, please!)

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes

🎶 ALBUM RELEASE SHOW – THE BURNELLS LIVE AT HAVEN! 🎶

📅 April 3, 2025📍 Haven, Birmingham, AL⏰ Doors at 5 PM | Show at 6 PM

Birmingham’s own The Burnells are back with a brand-new album, A Strange Town, and we’re throwing a party to celebrate! Join us at Haven on April 3 for a night of raw, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll, stories behind the songs, and a damn good time.

Expect new tunes, classic favorites, and maybe even a surprise or two. Whether you’ve been with us from the start or just discovering the band, this is the show to be at.

🔥 Album drops March 17 on Spotify & iTunes – get ready to sing along! 🔥

🎟️ Grab your crew, mark your calendars, and we’ll see you there!

#TheBurnells #AStrangeTown #AlbumRelease #BirminghamMusic