City Center Art is Space One Eleven’s afterschool studio art program for students of all skill levels and is designed to build visual communication skills and foster creative thinking. Through individually conceived projects and collaborations, young artists learn the elements of art and principles of design, strengthen foundation skills, and further their understanding of art criticism, art theory, and art history.

Grades 2-3: Tuesday, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Grades 4-5: Monday, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Grades 6-8: Wednesday, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Grades 9-12: Saturday, 10:00am - 1:00pm

On view in the First Floor Gallery, "Art on the Inside" features works in an array of media, including watercolor, pencil, pastel, mixed-media collage, and handmade paper. The largest work in the show is an eye-catching collaboration among APAEP artists, nationally renowned artist Tameca Cole, and New Orleans-based Brendon Palmer-Angell. The present exhibition marks the unveiling of the mural, which is titled "Can You See You?".

Based at Auburn University, the Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project works to create spaces where currently and formerly incarcerated individuals can practice meaningful engagement with the arts and develop their own artistic voices. Founded with the knowledge that creativity is an essential trait of humanity, the program has grown from one poet teaching one class in one facility to hundreds of classes that have reached thousands of students at over 12 facilities. This exhibition is made possible by a grant awarded to the Friends Foundation of BPL by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

"Issues" is a series of new canvases by local artist Jourdan Truth McGowan. The featured paintings are imagined covers of iconic magazines, in which McGowan makes bold commentaries on culture, politics, religion, and other topics. The paintings invite viewers to engage in meaningful reflection and dialogue on the pressing challenges of our time.

Jourdan Truth McGowan is a full-time artist from Enterprise, Alabama, who brings his own experiences and cultural heritage into every brushstroke of his paintings. By telling stories that are both inspirational and deeply human, his art speaks to people of all backgrounds, transcending barriers to connect on a universal level. For more information about McGowan, www.artoftruth.guru.

This exhibition is made possible by a grant awarded to the Friends Foundation of BPL by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Join us on Tuesday, Mar. 25 for a sensory friendly experience at the Museum. This day will provide our visitors an opportunity to enjoy the BMA experience in a sensory modified setting. What to Expect Music, video, and audio will be turned off in the galleries, exhibitions, and the cafe Sensory Kits available at the ground floor entrance All of our touch tactiles will be out on display in our smartlab Free use of our EnChroma glasses for people with colorblindness This is a day geared toward families with members on the autism spectrum or people who have sensory sensitivities

Join us for a screening of Gravity (2013) and post-screening discussion about the physics, astronomy, and human resilience depicted throughout the film with Dr.Michelle Wooten. Dr. Wooten will use her personal perspective as a woman in the field of Astronomy to bring unique insights to our audience. Film Synopsis: Dr. Ryan Stone, a brilliant medical engineer on her first Shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky in command of his last flight before retiring. But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The Shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone-tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness of space. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space. Science on Screen® is an initiative of the Coolidge Corner Theatre, with major support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Topic: Floating Facts: The Science Behind Gravity

Speaker: Michelle Wooten, PhD (Assistant Professor, Department of Physics at UAB)

About the Speaker: Michelle Wooten, PhD currently oversees the curriculum development of the astronomy program at UAB. In 2021 she worked as an assistant professor of astronomy education after teaching astronomy for over ten years in New Zealand, California, Washington D.C., Alaska, Pennsylvania, and Colorado.

Mark your calendars for Mixed Company’s next FREE IN PERSON event with the ever so lovelyKristin Dober she will chat with us about what casting looks for in your tapes, how she got into producing and the challenges that come along with that, and lots more! She’s the best and ya don’t want to miss it.

MEET OUR SPEAKER:
For over fifteen years, Kristin has successfully produced all types and sizes of productions, including national broadcast commercials, documentaries, photography, digital & social video content, music videos, narrative short films, unscripted television, 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, and experiential installations.

Through managing budgets, timelines, and collaborating with trusted partners, she consistently creates award-winning work for clients across a variety of industry verticals. Her work has been published in Communication Arts and Flash Fiction Magazine, and she has been recognized by the American Advertising Awards at the local and national level for creative excellence in production.

Cameron Mackintosh presents the acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES. This brilliant staging has taken the world by storm and has been hailed as “a reborn dream of a production” (Daily Telegraph). Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, LES MISÉRABLES tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More” and many more.  

Discover the joy of watercolor painting in this hands-on class designed for beginners. Led by local artist Pam Benoit, this course will guide you through the fundamentals of watercolor, helping you build a strong foundation in the medium. Over the course of the class, Pam will introduce essential techniques, including wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry methods, as well as color theory and composition. You'll learn how to choose the right materials, from brushes to paper, and gain confidence in selecting the perfect colors to bring your artistic vision to life. Whether you?re picking up a brush for the first time or looking to refine your skills, Pam?s expert guidance will ensure you leave with a deeper understanding of the creative possibilities that watercolor offers. Come ready to explore, experiment, and create in a welcoming and supportive environment! Week 1: Mastering Watercolor Techniques Week 2: Color Theory, Values, and Color Mixing Week 3: Common Issues and How to Fix Them Week 4: Learning to Analyze Your Work and the Work of Others Level This class is appropriate for beginners to more experienced painters. Covers basic watercolor painting techniques and provides individual assistance. No prior experience is required. Pam Benoit is an award-winning teacher with a lengthy career teaching communication at universities. I?ve taught multiple watercolor workshops to beginners for various groups at UAB. Recently, I taught a floral watercolor workshop at Four Seasons Gallery. I really enjoy using my teaching expertise to assist individuals to have a successful painting experience.