From the careful sourcing of ingredients to the artful presentation on the plate, the culinary world is undeniably a form of artistry–and this year, Birmingham Restaurant Week is celebrating that by adding a fresh dimension to the table: visual art.

This year’s theme, Legacy of the Southern Table, is brought to life through a special exhibit by featured artist Arden Upton. Her collection, Frank’s Table, is a vibrant tribute to Birmingham’s culinary culture, blending expressive, heartfelt paintings inspired by renowned Birmingham chef Frank Stitt and the unforgettable experiences his restaurants have created for generations of diners.

Upton is no stranger to capturing beauty. With over 25 years of experience as a professional photographer, she recently shifted her focus to painting. Visual art, she says, has always felt second nature.

“I come from a family of artists on both sides, so art has always felt very natural to me,” she shares. “The great thing is that so much carries over–visual concepts, composition, color theory, and of course, great customer service.”

Though known for her depictions of landscapes, florals, and citrus fruits, Frank’s Table marks her first time diving into food as the primary subject in her paintings.

“Food was a new subject in the painting world but not in photography,” Upton explains. “For the Frank’s Table collection, the heart behind it is the same: capturing a joyful, fleeting moment and preserving the feeling of it forever.”

The collection’s inspiration began years ago, during a photo shoot with Stitt at Highlands Bar & Grill. That moment, Upton says, was when she first began to see food as a form of art–something worth not just tasting, but treasuring visually.

“Frank Stitt has been such an influence in our community, both as a chef and as someone whose restaurants–Highlands, Chez Fonfon, and Bottega–have been the setting for so many meaningful meals for many over the years,” she says. “Frank’s culinary artistry and generous spirit were absolutely central to the work.”

Upton notes that the project quickly became a personal tribute. As she sketched from memory and old photographs, she found herself drawn to the essence of what Stitt’s restaurants represent: warmth, hospitality, and a certain brightness.

“I can’t think of his restaurants without thinking of an orange thing—something bright and fresh that lingers in your memory,” she reflects. “This body of work is my thank-you note to Frank and Pardis Stitt, whose food and hospitality have meant so much to so many.”

Beyond the homage to Stitt, Frank’s Table is also a love letter to Birmingham’s broader culinary scene–one that continues to inspire Upton’s creative process.

“Birmingham’s culinary scene is incredibly inspiring. Like great art, great food tells a story–it invites us to slow down, be present, and connect with one another,” she says. “This city is full of chefs who pour their hearts into their work, and that passion is contagious.”

Whether she’s painting a citrus fruit or a tablescape, Upton says her goal is the same: to capture a feeling and share it.

“I’m always chasing a feeling in my work, and meals are full of that in many ways,” she says. “Whether I’m painting a sky, a flower, fruit or food, I’m trying to hold onto that sense of joy and beauty, and share it with others.”

With Frank’s Table, Arden Upton invites diners and art lovers alike to do just that. The exhibit is more than a visual representation–it’s a reminder of the stories told around the table and the legacy of those who’ve made Birmingham’s food scene what it is today.

The exhibit, Frank’s Table: A Tribute to the Legacy of the Southern Table, will be on display at Birmingham City Hall through August 1st.