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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

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

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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

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.By Alabama State Council on the 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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

The city of Birmingham's inaugural poet laureate, Salaam Green, reads an excerpt of her mayoral proclamation poem, "What Must We Do 'Birmingham'."By Alabama State Council on the Arts

The city of Birmingham's inaugural poet laureate, Salaam Green, recites her mayoral proclamation poem, "What Must We Do 'Birmingham'."By Alabama State Council on the Arts

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 his…

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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

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

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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

Fairhope-based photographer Pinky MM Bass shares the joy of letting go of control and leaning into the possibility of the creative process.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

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.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

Have you ever visited a Greek Orthodox church and wondered who painted the ceilings and walls? The answer could easily be Huntsville's own Elias Katsaros! The Byzantine-style iconographer shares how he paints "inside-out" and sheds light on the history and meaning behind this ancient and continuing liturgical art form.…

Discover the inspiration behind Dothan's newest mural, now gracing the walls of the historic Dixie Depot area. Evangeline Reynolds-Gunn, executive director of the Tri-State Expo on Juneteenth Affairs, shares her Juneteenth story.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

Musician Russell Gulley brims over with lyrical inspiration and finds his voice at last.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

Actor Greta Lambert knows a good performance can inspire great feeling in the audience. It might also lead to a conversation in the produce section of your local grocery store.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

Piñatas are made to be broken. But in Athens, Alabama, artist Edy Aguilar is making sure her family's art of traditional piñata making stays intact.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

As a child, artist Jenny Fine lived for the magical stories she, her cousins, and her grandma would make-believe during summers spent at the pool. Today, Jenny shares how she draws on these memories to create art that helps her navigate the grief of losing her grandmother and sister.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

If it looks like a duck and floats like a duck...it might be a decoy! Traditional artist Jason Russell shares how carving duck decoys has deepened his connection to nature and his commitment to wildlife conservation.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

We're waxing poetic about one writer's place in Alabama's literary landscape. Jeanie Thompson is a poet and the founding director of the Alabama Writers Forum. Jeanie is the recipient of the 2024 Albert B. Head Legacy Award.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

Creativity is one of the great mysteries of human existence. Discover artist and Auburn University professor Lauren Woods's creative process and learn why it's important to spend time with your inspiration when it strikes. Lauren Woods is a 2024 recipient of the Alabama State Council on the Arts Visual Arts Fellowship.…

Artist and cultural organizer Kevin King describes how he uses art to impact his Montgomery neighborhood, Washington Park. Kevin is the Executive Director of The Kings Canvas and a recipient of the 2024 Alabama Arts Impact Award.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

Al Elliott introduces us to Birmingham Public Library's monthly poetry event, Bards and Brews. Featuring an original poem and performance by Jahman Hill.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

The artists at Mobile-based glass studio Muffinjaw Designs (Freddie Blache, Tres Johns, Gage Nobles) let us in on the secrets behind making gorgeous, blown glass ornaments.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

UAB's Professor Valerie Accetta shares how science + art = musical theatre magic. Professor Accetta received an Arts in Education Fellowship for her work towards becoming an Estill Mentor and Course Instructor.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

Visual artist Michelle Jones shares what she has in common with big cats, and how she finds artistic inspiration in the Southern environment. Michelle is a 2024 recipient of the Alabama State Council on the Arts Visual Arts Fellowship.By Alabama State Council on the Arts

Catherine Caldwell and Kesha McKey of KM Dance Project discuss their multidisciplinary work, Raw Fruit. What started as a reflection on Kesha's relationship with her mother and grandmother became a dance and story that anyone can relate to. New Orleans' based KM Dance Project was the guest company at the 2024 Alabama Dance Festival.…

Cinderella's fairy godmother made her a gown fit for a princess. The late Karen Thornton created magical dresses for Mardi Gras queens. In this episode, rediscover Mardi Gras through Thornton's eyes in a 1995 archival interview between Thornton and folklorist Aimee Schmidt.By Alabama State Council on the Arts