Arts Fell on Alabama

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, recites her mayoral proclamation poem, "What Must We Do 'Birmingham'." 

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