Mobile Arts Council

05/31/2026

This May started with a great loss for our creative community, Brandon Wilson was a staple in the downtown area and active member of many community events.
We want to take the time to honor his memory and share our condolences with all who are grieving this tremendous loss. Mobile Arts Council reached out to Nat Johnson, the Mobi creator for a statement about Brandon and his impact on our community.

Nat's Brandon story:
"Mobi Downtown is a street puppet troupe that started in 2013. We walked during art walks. I created a very tall muppet-style puppet named Mobi in 2015. Mobi was needing a human partner and found it in Brandon. The energy and spirit that Brandon brought to Dauphin St. through Mobi was such a cool experience to be part of. The two of them would be mobbed by children yelling "Mobi, Mobi". Mobi/Brandon would pat their heads, hug them and give tons of high fives. Everybody wanted to take advantage of the photo ops. It makes me happy to know that Brandon's smile will shine forever in the hundreds of snapshots that were taken over the years.

I have a couple of memories that I will hold onto. Seeing Mobi dancing to the tunes during ArtWalk was always entertaining and the time Brandon somehow brought Mobi into the Mobile Arts Council Gallery. I was pretty shocked to turn around and see the giant pink guy inside. I think Lucy was pretty shocked too. After that, I made a rule that the puppets were not to follow Brandon into buildings and that Brandon was not to take Mobi into buildings.

Our Mobi Downtown family is very sad Brandon is gone. He was the best person I have ever known. Thank you Brandon for giving Mobi your dancing moves."

May we carry his memory and spirit always.

05/29/2026

REMINDER: Submission Deadline Approaching!

The Mobile Arts Council’s July & August 2026 Artist Member Exhibition deadline is almost here!

All submissions must be entered online by 11:59 P.M. on MONDAY, JUNE 1ST

MAC Artist Members may submit up to TWO works in any medium, including:
2D, 3D, & Audio/Video

Awards Include:
Best in Show – $500 + featured spot in MAC’s 2026 exhibition schedule
2nd Place – $300
3rd Place – $250
…and more!
Exhibition Dates: July & August 2026
Opening Reception: July ArtWalk | Friday, July 10 | 6–9 PM
Awards Ceremony: Friday, August 14 | 6:30 PM

Accepted works will be displayed at MAC’s Gallery @ Room 1927.

Not a member yet? Join today and be part of this exciting two-month showcase featuring our talented local artists!

Submit your work now through the link below before the deadline closes!
https://form.jotform.com/211595789654170

05/28/2026

Friday night in Mobile offers not one, but two incredible performance-based fundraisers supporting local arts and community programs.

Bent Broadway Mobile returns for another unforgettable weekend of bold, gender-bending musical performances benefiting Prism United and LGBTQ+ youth programs. Since its 2018 debut, this fan-favorite production has become a standout celebration of music, creativity, and community.

Performance Dates:
Friday, May 29 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 30 at 7:00 PM
Sunday, May 31 at 2:00 PM

Tickets are still available:
https://prismunited.org/.../ben.../tickets-sponsorships-2026

Also happening Friday night, Lupercalia Art Gallery and The People’s Room of Mobile present “Voices of Mobile,” an open mic night featuring poetry, spoken word, prose, and more.

Writers may sign up at the door and share their work from 7–9 PM. Donations will be accepted, with all proceeds benefiting the Mobile Arts Council’s youth writing and art initiatives.

Hosted by The People's Room of Mobile and Lupercalia Art Gallery .

Support local performers, young creatives, and the organizations helping keep Mobile’s arts community thriving.

05/24/2026

DON'T MISS YOUR DEADLINE!
The Mobile Arts Council will feature works by our Artist Members for the months of July and August 2026. Artwork can be 2D or 3D, as well as audio/video. Artists may submit up to two pieces of work that are no larger than 3'x6' in area total (combined). All submissions must be digitally entered online by 11:59 P.M., MONDAY, JUNE 1ST! This exhibition is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts.

PRIZES
Best in Show – $500 & winning piece featured in MAC 2027 exhibition schedule 2nd Place – $300
3rd Place – $250
Dempsey & Litchfield Award (painting, photography, or drawing specifically focused on the greater-Mobile area) – $200
Members’ Choice Award – $150
Honorable Mention – $75
Honorable Mention – $75

Submit using the link below:
https://form.jotform.com/211595789654170

05/22/2026

It is easy to go from, "Oh I have plenty of time," to, "Wait, what, tomorrow?!"

Do not miss your chance to be in the Annual Members' Show this July & August.
We are just nine days from applications closing, submit today and enjoy the long weekend worry free.

Application link:

Please click the link to complete this form.

05/21/2026

Join Mobile Arts Council, in partnership with the Franklin family, for a community block party celebrating the unveiling of a new mural honoring legendary Temptations bass singer, Melvin Franklin!!

The event will take place on Saturday, May 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1410, located at 509 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, directly across from the Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park.

This vibrant new mural pays tribute to Melvin Franklin’s enduring musical legacy and cultural impact. Designed and painted by local artist JD Swiger—who was personally selected by the Franklin family—the mural stands as a powerful symbol of artistry, history, and community pride.

The unveiling celebration will feature a family-friendly block party atmosphere, inviting the public to come together in recognition of Franklin’s contributions to music and to honor the collaborative spirit that brought this project to life.

“This project represents the intersection of art, heritage, and community,” said Angela Montgomery, Executive Director of from the Mobile Arts Council. “We are honored to work alongside the Franklin family to celebrate Melvin Franklin’s legacy in a meaningful and lasting way.”

Community members, supporters of the arts, and fans of The Temptations are encouraged to attend and take part in this special occasion.

Event Details:
What: Temptations Mural Unveiling & Community Block Party
When: Saturday, May 23 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: ILA Local 1410, 509 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., Mobile, AL

Thank you for having us on !!

05/19/2026

Congratulations to our May Organization Members of the Month, The Tie Dye & Crystal Hippy Shop!

This woman-owned establishment is led by a dynamic mother-daughter duo, Lynn Gomez & Ashley Bitinas-Reeser, many of you have likely seen during ArtWalk or visited at their brick-and-mortar location in Tillman’s Corner. More than just a shop, The HIPPY SHOP has become a vibrant gathering place for community, creativity, and connection. From hosting local in house events with food trucks and vendors to welcoming tarot readers, palm readers, artists, and neighbors alike, they have created a space where people can come together and celebrate individuality and tradition.

Known for their hand-wrapped stone jewelry and handmade incense, and more this shop is truly a hippy haven for anyone who loves the comforting scent of patchouli and nag champa. Whether you’re searching for unique gifts, spiritual tools, artistic fashion, or simply a welcoming atmosphere, they offer all of that and more.

The next time you’re ready to embrace your inner free spirit, stop by and experience the good vibes for yourself.

05/13/2026

Congratulations to our May Artist Members of the Month, Jennifer and Hailey Clifton!

They are a mother-daughter Fine Art Photography duo based in North Mobile, Alabama. Their photography is far more than clicking a shutter, it's a shared journey of slowing down, finding focus, and freezing the quiet beauty of the world around them. They spend their time exploring the scenic Alabama bayous, dedicated to documenting the delicate dance of nature and the timeless charm of life on the water.

Their portfolio is a labor of love, featuring vibrant close-ups of flowers, shy wildlife in their natural habitat, and the rustic character of weathered shrimp boats lining the bayou docks. Each image is intended to tell a story of the coast, capturing a fleeting moment through the lens to share with others.

More than just a hobby, this shared passion is a deeply meaningful way to bond. While they love producing story- driven photographs, they cherish the quiet moments, the artistic conversations, and the shared adventures even more. For this team, the true art lies in the laughter and shared moments behind the camera, crafting a lifetime of memories together, one frame at a time.

05/12/2026

In just two days, Scott Wright, General and Artistic Director of Mobile Opera, will be celebrated as he receives the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

Scott is the first recipient from the City of Mobile and the southern region of Alabama to earn this distinguished honor. His decades of artistic excellence, advocacy, and leadership have made a lasting impact on the arts, not only in our local community but across the entire state of Alabama. Yesterday the Mobile County Commission issued a resolution recognizing his contributions as strengthening the cultural fabric of the community and elevating Mobile County’s reputation as a center for arts and creativity.

At Mobile Arts Council, we proudly congratulate Scott on this incredibly well-deserved recognition. The hours behind the curtain are long, the performances may feel brief, and the reward often comes in the form of applause but the impact of that work resonates for generations. Thank you, Scott, for being a dedicated champion of the arts and for continuing to lead opera forward in an ever-changing world of trends, and short attention spans. Your commitment ensures that this powerful art form continues to inspire and connect audiences for years to come

Scott will officially be honored at the Celebration of Alabama Arts, presented by the Alabama State Council on the Arts, on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

05/08/2026

Rain rain... maybe hold off until tomorrow?

Happy ArtWalk Friday Mobile!

We are ecstatic for another evening full of art, music, and community throughout downtown.
As always, there is plenty to do and see for ArtWalk.
Be sure to read through and see if your favorite vendor will be out for May. You do not want to miss the stacked performance zone, poetry with Huggy Bear da Poet at Great Day Latte, and stand-up at The Crescent Theater.

The Mobile Arts Council Gallery @ Room 1927 will also be hosting the opening receptions for Daniel Domenzain's Faces of Mobile & Kathleen Kirk Stoves' Faces of America.

We can't wait to spend the evening with you!