Arts Fell on Alabama

Peace Smith and Travis Hicks of Huntsville, AL, explain how they fell in love with stained glass through a workshop at Burritt on the Mountain, and have gone on to teach the craft themselves.

Visual artist and retired Auburn art professor Zdenko Krtić explains why 45 minutes of daily creativity are an essential part of his morning routine.

800 years ago, the Mississippian cultural center now known as the Moundville site was the largest city in America north of Mexico. Discover how art and creativity contribute to our ability to understand the past and imagine the future.

Music soothes the seasick (and homesick) soul, live from Korea circa 1952. Special thanks to Burgin Matthews and the Southern Music Research Center for their collaboration on this episode.

We take a drive down county road 29 to Gees Bend, where handmade quilts on the clothesline flutter in the October breeze.

Sheila Smith, treasurer of the Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy, reflects on a childhood growing up among quilts and quilters in Wilcox County, AL. This episode was first produced by Deb Boykin and intern Ren Carroll in 2023.

Mobile-based artist and writer Ardith Goodwin takes on us a fantastical journey to Mardi Bay and the City of Elibom, and explains how her decade-long painting project turned into a middle-grade fantasy series. 

Courtney Bennett, director of Main Street Montevallo, explains how the city uses art--and fire hydrants--to empower citizens to make a mark on their community.

Tyler Jones, director of the Birmingham-based narrative studio 1504, describes the creative process behind a new, collaborative installation of artist Joe Minter's work in Titusville.

Elvie Schooley, executive director of DRUM, The Program, shares how she teaches healthy communication and decision-making to kids and adults through West African cultural arts.

Dr. Charlotte Pence, the city of Mobile's inaugural poet laureate, shows us what is possible with a piece of paper, a pencil, and paying attention to what's happening in your own backyard.

The city of Birmingham's inaugural poet laureate, Salaam Green, reads an excerpt of her mayoral proclamation poem, "What Must We Do 'Birmingham'." 

The city of Birmingham's inaugural poet laureate, Salaam Green, recites her mayoral proclamation poem, "What Must We Do 'Birmingham'." 

Lifelong seamstress Diane Hall shares how the sewing skills she learned growing up formed the foundation for a fulfilling and creative career as a seamstress for the Florence, AL-based sustainable fashion brand, Alabama Chanin. Katie Kooper interviewed Diane in 2021 as part of Project Threadways' initiative to document the rich textile industry history of northwest Alabama.

Ikebana artist Miki Jinno explains the meditative art of traditional Japanese flower arranging and how getting to know Alabama's flowers helped her start to feel at home in a new place.

Dr. Zanice Bond, associate professor of English at Tuskegee University, describes how her family has made use of "memory quilts" to honor and remember loved ones who have died.

Taylor Cunningham, a music student at Birmingham's Firehouse Community Arts Center, shares how learning to rock out with new friends taught him how to play instruments and find his own voice.

You may not think of turmeric-spiced carrots when you think of Southern fare. But in Greensboro, Alabama, Chef Sarah Cole dishes up Egyptian food using locally sourced produce from the Black Belt.

Alabama-raised, New York-based photographer Chester Higgins bears witness to challenging history through the lens of his camera.

Food, shelter, and creative expression. Dani Parmar (Program Director) and Nate (artist) share how InToto Creative Arts provides opportunities for artistic expression, healing, and connection for people affected by social and economic hardships in Birmingham. 

Fairhope-based photographer Pinky MM Bass shares the joy of letting go of control and leaning into the possibility of the creative process. 

Charlie Mato-Toyela, a traditional Native American flute maker from Cottonwood, AL, shares how tradition and innovation play into his approach to making musical instruments.

Unpack civil rights experiences from Birmingham's Jewish community. Historian and co-curator Melissa Young describes the creativity and history behind the Beth-El Civil Rights Experience, an immersive exhibit and guided tour. 

You've heard about bringing balance to the Force. But what about to a local dance scene? 2024 Alabama Arts Impact Award recipient Monique Ryan discusses why she has devoted her career to bringing variety to Huntsville's dance landscape. 

What in the world is a bodhrán? Take a sonic trip to Huntsville, to visit percussionist and bodhrán expert Andy Kruspe. He teaches us about the Irish frame drum that’s a staple of traditional Celtic bands.