Mobile Arts Council

06/19/2026

Celebrate Make Music Day This Weekend!

Make Music Day takes place around the world every year on June 21, bringing communities together through the universal language of music.

We've compiled a list of musical events happening in Mobile—please check venue sites for any rescheduling updates due to weather. From free performances, karaoke nights, to ticketed concerts, we hope you'll find a way to join the celebration.

Take a moment to celebrate an art form that speaks to our shared human experience and make some music memories this weekend.

06/18/2026

In observance of Juneteenth, the Mobile Arts Council Gallery @ Room 1927 will be closed on Friday, June 19.

Don't worry—we'll be back and ready to welcome you during our normal business hours on Saturday, June 20!

We hope everyone enjoys the holiday, takes time to celebrate, reflect, and connect with community. We'll see you back in the gallery this weekend for more art, creativity, and inspiration.

Happy Juneteenth from the Mobile Arts Council!

06/17/2026

Congratulations to Beau Buchanan, our artist member of month for June!

Since joining our creative community he has volunteered, participated in our calls for entry, played with the Symphonic Pops and will be leading a watercolor workshop in the fall. Learn about Beau in his own words below.

"My hope through art, music and poetry is to share my life experiences with vibrant palettes of emotions, light, color, rhythm and tone. Throughout my life journey, art has always been accessible in some form. I have been using art to explore my thoughts and emotions when there simply aren’t enough words to express. When I am in my creative flow, I hope to capture the spirit of being-in-the-now and in tune with my senses within each moment.

In addition to watercolor, I enjoy using wax, ink and collage techniques to find footing with the depth of my emotions. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to connect with each other with art and music.

I aim to bring vibrant colors, patterns, hidden imagery and sound, as a message of light and hope through difficult times of loss, grief and unrest.
I celebrate the small things in life that have big impacts on our day to day and value authentic connections with others.

I aspire to make an impact to my community through music, my watercolor and encaustic paintings."

06/16/2026

06/15/2026

The Mobile Arts Council, in partnership with the Alabama Folklife Association and Mobile Botanical Gardens, is pleased to announce the second Float Prop Workshop, an immersive, hands-on opportunity for artists, educators, and creative professionals interested in the art and industry of float construction.

Participants will learn from Steve Mussell and a team of professional float builders whose combined experience spans more than 100 years in float design, prop fabrication, sculpture, and Mardi Gras artistry. The workshop provides direct instruction from industry experts, offering valuable insight into the techniques, materials, and creative processes used to bring Mardi Gras floats to life.

Attendees will receive:

Hands-on training in float prop construction and sculpture
A complete curriculum package for classroom use
Firsthand exposure to careers in float building and Mardi Gras production
A ready-to-paint float prop sculpture to take home
Opportunities to collaborate and learn alongside fellow artists and educators
For professional artists, this workshop offers a unique chance to explore whether float building could be a future career path. Mobile’s Mardi Gras industry relies on skilled artists, sculptors, painters, and fabricators to create the spectacular floats and props that define the city’s celebrated traditions. Participants will gain practical experience and a behind-the-scenes look at a creative field that blends fine art, craftsmanship, and large-scale public art production.

Registration is limited to 20 participants, making this a rare opportunity to learn directly from some of the region’s most experienced float builders while helping preserve and advance one of Mobile’s most treasured cultural traditions. Reserve you spot today!

06/15/2026

We’re still accepting applications for our Veterans Residency Partnership with Vets Recover.

The Mobile Arts Council is proud to partner with Vets Recover to offer a special six-month rotating exhibition opportunity for MAC members. This residency gives artists the chance to showcase their work in a public space dedicated to supporting the healing and recovery of veterans.

While this is not a paid residency, all artwork may be listed for sale, providing artists with both exposure and the opportunity to generate income. Selected artists will submit an inventory of works so MAC can prepare labels and create a cohesive exhibition display.

Artwork highlighting themes of patriotism, first responders, military service, and community care will be prioritized, though all artistic interpretations are welcome. All submissions must follow MAC community standards.

We welcome a wide variety of mediums including painting, drawing, fiber, glass, metal, sculpture, pastel, watercolor, woodburning, and both 2D and 3D works.

Apply now and be part of an exhibition that honors service, healing, and creative expression.

https://www.jotform.com/form/251605034055144

06/10/2026

Join us for an inspiring evening at LODA ArtWalk in Downtown Mobile from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. this Friday as we celebrate Pride!

This event will highlight creatives within our community, including visual artists, musical performers, local restaurants, art galleries, small businesses, and more.
LoDa Night Market vendors will be set up along Dauphin St., between Jackson and Hamilton St., from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Woodworking, jewelry, paintings, pottery, and more can be found amongst this month’s vendors.

Join us at 6:30 p.m. to recognize Alexia Jay, Irvington native and winner of season 29 of The Voice. Alexia will sing the National Anthem followed by a proclamation from Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis. Then enjoy the vibes in Cathedral Square as DJ Herb Love spins a mix of crowd favorites and feel-good tunes. Whether you’re dancing or just relaxing, the music sets the perfect backdrop for a fun time downtown!

Head over to the Kids Zone celebrating Pride Month with fun, hands-on crafts and picture-perfect family memories — the ultimate stop for smiles, creativity, and fun for everyone!

Discover the incredible work of local organizations in the Non-Profit Zone! This dedicated area highlights community-driven groups making a difference in Mobile. Stop by to learn more about their missions, engage with their initiatives, and find out how you can get involved. Support the heart of our community while enjoying a night of art, culture, and connection!

This month's Cathedral Square, Nonprofit Zone, and Kids Zone activations are made possible by City of Mobile Parks & Recreation.

LoDa Night Market vendors will be set up along Dauphin St., between Jackson and Hamilton St., from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Woodworking, jewelry, paintings, pottery, and more can be found amongst this month’s vendors.

ArtWalk Poetry Open Mic, hosted by Mobile's Poet Laureate, Huggy Bear da Poet, will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Great Day Latte.

We encourage participants to read over the ArtWalk map for full details and plan your stops before you arrive. Please be mindful of new street closures (shown in yellow on the map) that have been put into effect to accommodate additional programming. Read below for details on this month's participating vendors and venues!

06/10/2026

This June, the Mobile Arts Council is proud to present two exhibitions celebrating love, identity, and creative expression.

The Jubilee Exhibition celebrates Black artists and the richness of their creative voices within our community. Jubilee serves as a platform to honor artistic expression, cultural identity, and the diverse perspectives that shape our region’s creative community.

The Proud & Free Exhibition is dedicated to uplifting q***r artists. As part of Pride Month, this exhibition highlights the voices, experiences, and perspectives of LGBTQ+ creatives in our community. “Proud & Free” offers a platform for artists to share their work, tell their stories, and connect with a broader audience through the power of art.

Join us for the opening reception on June 12th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. during ArtWalk.

The exhibit will be open for free public viewing from June 5, 2026 through June 30, 2026. An opening reception will be held during LoDa ArtWalk on Friday, Junel 12, 2026 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the MAC Gallery, Room 1927, 6 S. Joachim Street in downtown Mobile.

06/09/2026

Big news for Mobile's arts scene!

The Mobile Arts Council is proud to announce the inaugural MobTown Mural Festival, a two-day celebration of public art taking place September 12–13, 2026.

As Mobile's first large-scale mural festival, this exciting event will bring local artists together to create vibrant new murals on walls and three-dimensional 4' x 4' cubes throughout downtown Mobile. Residents and visitors will be able to watch the artwork come to life in real time, meet the artists, and experience the city through a new creative lens.

MobTown Mural Festival is a major step forward in expanding public art opportunities in our city and making the arts accessible to all.

More details about participating artists, mural locations, and sponsors will be announced in the coming months.

Interested in becoming a sponsor, providing a wall location, or volunteering? Contact the Mobile Arts Council today to get involved.

Mark your calendars for September 12–13, 2026, and get ready to watch Mobile become a canvas!

06/08/2026

Last week, we hosted the Miss Juneteenth America 2026 group for their annual umbrella decorating event. Did you catch their second line last Thursday?
We'd love to see the photos you captured from this joyful celebration of community, culture, and heritage.

June is in full swing, and there are so many exciting community events ahead. Stay tuned for what's coming up, and we can't wait to see you at ArtWalk this Friday!

Be sure to stop by the Mobile Arts Council Gallery from 6pm-9pm during ArtWalk for the opening reception of Jubilee alongside Proud & Free.

We look forward to celebrating with you!