Culture

Discover the soul of Alabama through exclusive SoulGrown stories about its rich culture

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These self-taught Alabama sculptors have built a life together through their shared love of shaping Sylacauga marble into works of art.

Charles and Ava Cummings

Meet the couple carving a life together in Sylacauga marble

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October 13, 2026

From Frank and Pardis Stitt’s celebrated restaurants to independent galleries and civil rights landmarks, the national travel publication explores the people and places shaping the Magic City.

Birmingham skyline

Condé Nast Traveler spotlights Birmingham’s food, arts, and history in new feature

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October 13, 2026

Barbecue, art festivals, and a fair finale: your guide to a fall week in Alabama.

Boll Weevil Festival

SoulGrown Roundup: this week across Alabama (Oct. 12-18)

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October 9, 2026

The inaugural mural festival is bringing more than 40 artists to Birmingham’s Parkside District, with a focus on local talent, artist opportunity, and the transformative power of public art.

Yonder Walls

Yonder Walls brings Alabama artists to the forefront of Birmingham’s public art scene

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October 8, 2026

As Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ signature show celebrates its 20th anniversary, the people behind Antiques at the Gardens say its greatest achievement may be the community that has built it.

Antiques at the Gardens

It takes a community: Birmingham’s Antiques at the Gardens turns 20

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October 1, 2026

The annual celebration brings together art and outdoor traditions while highlighting Alabama’s wildlife and wild places.

WEWA

The Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival brings art and the outdoors together

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October 1, 2026

A major new exhibition traces the Birmingham Museum of Art’s growing collection of Black American art, from its first acquisition in 1971 to more than 1,000 works by more than 250 artists.

Roll Call

Roll Call: two hundred years of Black American art comes to the Birmingham Museum of Art

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September 23, 2026

The new Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Education & Visitor Center invites a new generation to remember four lives, reckon with the past and consider the work still ahead.

16th Street Baptist Church

The four girls of Sixteenth Street: remembering the lives that were lost 63 years ago

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September 23, 2026

Cullman’s 44th annual Oktoberfest returns this fall with four days of German heritage, live entertainment, family-friendly activities and a new youth ambassador.

Cullman Oktoberfest

A new tradition at Cullman Oktoberfest: Meet the festival’s first Kinderbürgermeister

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September 21, 2026

A Hueytown native, Roberson draws on his Alabama roots to create clothing rooted in Southern culture, craftsmanship, and character.

Wayne's

From Hueytown to Nashville, Kelly Roberson is redefining Southern luxury

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September 17, 2026

From a Tennessee windowsill to an Alabama farm, the story behind 1818 Farms’ floral artistry—and how you can create a handmade piece yourself.

1818 Farms eco printed scarves

How 1818 Farms is turning a love of flowers into lasting art

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September 16, 2026

In Steven Potaczek’s new book, the musician-turned-professor argues authenticity is the one thing AI can’t fake.

Steven Potaczek

Fear Not, Creative: Samford professor’s new book tackles AI anxiety in the arts

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September 15, 2026

The historic Birmingham theatre opens its 2026-2027 season with Mary Badham and Cecilia Peck in Growing Up With Atticus, a new work exploring the legacy of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Virginia Samford Theatre

Virginia Samford Theatre marks 100 years with star-studded centennial season opener

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September 14, 2026

From a mountaintop art festival to a week-long county fair, Alabama’s calendar is packed as summer eases into fall.

Monte Sano State Park

SoulGrown Roundup: this week across Alabama (Sept. 14-20)

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September 11, 2026

Alabama Sawyer marks ten years of turning fallen trees into heirlooms—and invites the state to celebrate with them.

Alabama Sawyer table

Camp Sawyer: celebrating 10 years of Alabama Sawyer

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September 10, 2026

From Jim Crow to today, one family’s oral history of a Creole settlement—and the ground it’s slowly losing.

Utopia Club members

The history of Mon Louis Island, and the community that built its own utopia

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September 10, 2026

For the first time, Soul of the South is opening its doors to the public.

Announcing the 4th Annual Soul of the South nominees: limited tickets now available

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September 9, 2026

On a Sunday afternoon this month, one of the most recognized names in classical music will take the stage at Troy University’s Davis Theatre—not in New York, not in Vienna, but in Montgomery.

MSO Jubilee

Montgomery Symphony Orchestra opens their 50th season with Yo-Yo Ma

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September 9, 2026

This September, Airing of the Quilts festival registrants have the chance to win one of three one-of-a-kind quilted bags handmade by Gee’s Bend quilter Annie Lou Square.

Gee's Bend quilted bags

A piece of Gee’s Bend artistry: enter to win a handmade quilted bag

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September 3, 2026

From lakeside festivals to bonsai gardens, there’s something for everyone this upcoming Labor Day weekend.

Walt's On the Roof

SoulGrown Roundup: this week across Alabama (Aug. 31 – Sept. 6)

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August 28, 2026

A yearlong exhibition traces street art’s rise from the sidewalk to the gallery wall.

Mobile Museum of Art

Street art legends Banksy, Haring, and more are about to take over Mobile Museum of Art

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August 27, 2026