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.

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

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.

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!

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.

Pianist, accordionist and composer Ben Rosenblum has traversed a truly unique musical path, one that has seen him perform alongside world-class musicians across more than twenty music genres and over twenty countries, lead bands at prestigious venues across the world, all while maintaining a signature, melodic musical voice. Rosenblum’s journey has taken him on tours with Grammy-winning pop artist Rickie Lee Jones, Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Catherine Russell and Juno-winning contemporary Indian singer Kiran Ahluwalia. He’s played Brazilian choro with Ephrat Asherie Dance and Brazilian forró with The Late Night Show’s Nêgah Santos and famed forró band Forró in the Dark. His roots in jazz have led to an over ten-year relationship with Grammy-winning bassist Curtis Lundy, performing at festivals alongside jazz luminaries Bobby Watson, Sean Jones and Warren Wolf. He has appeared with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on accordion, and as a guest soloist on piano at Carnegie Hall’s Stern-Perelman Auditorium with Maestro Reona Ito’s New York Harmonic Band. Throughout it all, Rosenblum has always maintained the same priority - to tell a compelling story with his music, reaching the hearts of his audience and connecting on an emotional, intellectual and spiritual level. Rosenblum brings this wealth and diversity of experiences to his projects as a leader, overseeing a full tour schedule as a solo artist, with his trio and most recently, with his six-piece ensemble, the Nebula Project. Since his first album as a leader, Instead (4 stars, Downbeat Magazine), he has since released three follow-up records to critical acclaim, including favorable reviews in almost every major jazz publication (Downbeat, All About Jazz, Jazziz, JazzTimes, JazzEd, NYC Jazz Record, JazzLife Japan and many more).

New York City Jazz Artists in concert in Randolph Memorial Hall at St. Mary's on the Highlands Episcopal Church
https://www.benrosenblummusic.com/

Take time out of your busy schedule for our free yoga classes sponsored by Homewood Public Library. A gentle workout of 15 minutes in the chair, 15 minutes standing with chair, 15 minutes on the mat. All levels of fitness are welcome. Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

Looking to start the new year off with a fabulous new read? Come be a part of our white elephant style book swap and let someone else pick your next best read. Participants must

bring one book to give away (new or gently loved) and your favorite candy bar or small snack. Further directions will be emailed to all registrants. Toasty Drinks and cookies will be offered as we play our Cozy Book Swap. Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org

Check the schedule for class location for each class. To register, contact Stephanie at The Literacy Council slyas@literacy-council.org

Clase de inglés gratis para adultos (abierto a adultos de 18 y mayores) los martes, de 6:00-⁠20:00 , 13, 20 & 27de enero de 2026

Participants will learn meal planning and food preparation methods to reduce calories, control carbohydrates, modify fat, and increase fiber for a healthier lifestyle. Led by Kali Gilbert of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES).

Become Spellbound with the world of Romantasy with this book club! Be a part of fun discussions and meet new friends! January's book pick is Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross, an enemies-to-lovers story that will have you glued to the page! Place the book on hold at hpl.pub/catalog.

This drop-in Adoption Information Session is designed for individuals and families interested in learning more about adoption from foster care in Alabama. Attendees will hear an overview of the adoption process, learn how APAC supports adoptive families statewide, and have time for questions and conversation with staff and adoptive parents. Lunch will be provided, and guests are welcome to attend for any portion of the event.

Real Ghost Hunt Investigation in the cozy house in the Dead of Winter. Friday January 30 at 7:00 pm CST. Immerse yourself in a Dead of Winter Real Ghost Hunt and interactive Paranormal Investigation hosted by TV Personalities The Southern Ghost Girls Tours! Only One Exclusive Night in January does the team get to investigate at Arlington House! They are the only paranormal investigation team that has exclusive access to investigate the mansion! You'll be the only ones to have nighttime access to the 1840’s Historic and Haunted Arlington House in Birmingham, Al. You’ll actively participate in the paranormal investigation using real paranormal equipment that you’ve seen on all of your favorite Paranormal Shows. Explore the beautiful Mansion and its collection of historic antiques and artifacts too! All of this excitement is brought to you by the TV Paranormal Investigator and Psychic Medium Lesley Ann Hyde and The Southern Ghost Girls.
You will get to investigate the grounds around the mansion too as you use state of the art paranormal Investigation equipment and old school methods to communicate with the afterlife! This is a Fun Interactive One-of-a-Kind Event that you Do Not want to miss. Perfect for Friends Night Out, Date Night, Game Night, Family Night, Birthdays, Office Parties, Team Building and Celebrations.
Come join the Southern Ghost Girls at Birmingham's Only surviving Home originally built in the 1840’s. Arlington Historic House and Gardens. 331 Cotton Ave SW Birmingham, Al. 35211. The home has a very interesting and storied past including a story of A Romance that suffered a tragic ending.
The Home has had several unexplained experiences and Paranormal Phenomena We Will Tell You about! Southern Ghost Girls Tours Founder Lesley Ann and her team have experienced several paranormal incidents while investigating the Mansion! Other Interactive tours have resulted in capturing a lot of evidence. You will want to Experience This Yourself! Be a part of the excitement! We will supply investigation equipment, and you can bring your own. If you’ve ever wanted to participate in something like this at a Historic Home .... This is the perfect opportunity!! Even the seasoned paranormal investigator will enjoy this! See our website and our Facebook page The Southern Ghost Girls Tours for Information under Events on the Calendar. www.southernghostgirls.com

(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.

(K-5th Grade) We are going full STEAM ahead with a lot of science, technology, engineering, art, and math activities and experiments. This month, McWane on the Move is showcasing the wonderful things technology and robots can do! Register online at homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

(K-5th Grade) Looking for something fun to do after school? Come hang out at the library for a storytime packed with awesome books, cool crafts, and music!

(4th-5th Grade) Join the Kids’ Advisory Board to hang out with other tweens at the library for new activities every month! Application required to be a KAB member at www.homewoodpubliclibrary.org.

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