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.بقلم 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.بقلم Alabama State Council on the Arts

When Alabama author Heather L. Montgomery isn’t writing children’s books, you might find her hanging out in trees or catching bugs. Her passion for uncovering the mysteries of the natural world have ignited the curiosity of countless numbers of kids. Heavily researched topics from roadkill to mummies to animal poop, she frames many of her books as …

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.بقلم Alabama State Council on the Arts

The Athens Storytelling Festival, held annually the last weekend in October, hosts master storytellers spinning tales from life, legends, memories, and inspiration. This year the library partnered with the festival and hosted a workshop led by storyteller Carol Cain from La Grange, Georgia for those interested in this unique art form. In this podca…

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.بقلم 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'."بقلم 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'."بقلم 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.بقلم 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.بقلم 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.بقلم Alabama State Council on the Arts

Calhoun Community College faculty members discuss the Common Read 2024-2025. Dr. Symmetris Gohanna, Bradley Sides, and Brandi Gindhart of the English, Literature, and Composition programs introduce this year's theme on disability awareness. They highlight programs being held throughout the year to bring students and the community together through t…

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.بقلم 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.بقلم 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.بقلم 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.بقلم 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.بقلم 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.بقلم 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.بقلم Alabama State Council on the Arts

Dr. Kem Roper, college professor and Writing Center Director at Athens State University, discusses the upcoming Summer Writing Summit featuring interactive sessions and workshops designed to guide writers of all genres. From resumes and research papers to creative fiction and poetry, the Writing Center at Athens State is a year round resource helpi…

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.بقلم 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.بقلم Alabama State Council on the Arts

Heidi Stinnett and Madison Herron from the Limestone County Council on Aging discuss programs designed to enhance recreation, socialization, independence, and vitality for older adults. This important resource helps with with transportation, nutrition, and prescriptions, but perhaps most popular are their outings in the community. From picnics and …

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

Cydney Amos Honaker from the Athens Women's Resource Center talks about their services which include pregnancy testing, prenatal counseling, parenting and birth education, ultrasounds, and more. They rely on community donations to provide a free baby boutique and they welcome volunteers to help run their Community Baby Shower! https://www.alcpl.org…

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

Medicare Chick, Lauri King, brings clarity to the medicare confusion. From open enrollment to special elections and the latest benefits, Lauri brings her 20 years of expertise to answer questions and sound the alert on potential pitfalls when signing up for Medicare. https://www.alcpl.org/ https://kingseniorbenefitsspecialists.com/ Have questions a…

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.بقلم 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.بقلم 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.بقلم Alabama State Council on the Arts

Yolanda Turner is a domestic violence survivor from an early abusive marriage. She was able to turn her life around after much spiritual reflection and authored the book Morning Glory - a 52-week devotional featuring scripture passages with commentary and personal stories of application from Yolanda s own experience with the message. In this inspir…

Teresa Smyser, author of Heaven Help Us! and the Warrior Bride series talks about her evolution as a writer. She shares tips on her writing lifestyle and offers advice on self publishing. https://www.alcpl.org/ Have questions about this episode? Email askalibrarian@alcpl.org Music from Pixabayبقلم Athens-Limestone County Public Library

A conversation with authors A.E. Chewning and James C. Chewning. Living in Athens, A.E. Chewning draws upon the rich history and local folklore to inspire her paranormal novels, including one based on the Athens Houston Memorial Library. James C. Chewning is a motivational speaker and has written Success Defined by Me: A Guide to Developing a Perso…

On a business retreat to the Yucatan, Dr. Jodi Green was detained at a Mexican airport for having a pistol in her luggage, despite following airline protocol for carrying a firearm. What transpired was a 28-day life changing incarceration in a Mexican jail cell. How she navigated the daily harsh reality of prison life, and the mindset it took to co…

A conversation with Olivia Wade, Case Manager for AIDB. As a young child growing up with low vision, Olivia talks about how AIDB gave her tools she needed to become an independent adult. Now, working for AIDB, she is able to share both her story and expertise to individuals in the deaf and blind community looking for answers. She talks about the mu…

ALCPL children's librarian, Amanda Coleman, reads select stories from the Alvin Schwartz book series, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Based on American folklore, these tales combine eerie horror, supernatural sightings, and deathly humor guaranteed to make you JUMP! Library Links https://www.alcpl.org/ Have questions about this episode? Email as…

ALCPL children's librarian, Amanda Coleman, remembers books kids read in childhood that left a lasting impression. In this episode she and guests Josh Smith and Ronnie Ramone dissect the book series, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Derived from urban legends like Resurrection Mary and The Hook, and featuring scary illustrations, these books were…

A talk with Alicia Shelley, author of Resigned: How Do You Know When It's Time To Go: Lies, Truth, and the Stigma of Quitting Your Job. Also known as the Queen of Quit, Alicia's book guides readers through the process of resigning from a bad work situation while keeping your dignity and sanity intact. In this podcast she talks about her journey and…

Georgina Cross, author of The Niece and Nanny Needed, talks about her latest release - One Night. Goodreads calls it "An electrifying novel... One night. That's all the time a family has to decide what to do with the man they believe murdered their daughter: Do they forgive him, or take justice into their own hands?" Georgina Cross is from Huntsvil…