2025-2026 Poetry Out Loud Competition Registration Open Now!

Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. Poetry Out Loud is…

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Members’ Mini MAC Gallery Open for Applications

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The Mobile Arts Council is excited to offer a brand-new member benefit: the Members’ Mini MAC Gallery, giving our Artist Members the chance to transform our Joachim Street windows into their very own mini exhibition space! This opportunity allows members to showcase 2D, 3D, or even audio/video work in a highly visible, public-facing display. Each…

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August Organization Member of the Month

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More than professional photographers, they are master storytellers. With every click of the shutter, Pickett Media Group captures moments that may last only seconds but become treasures for a lifetime. “The story is most important to us.” Whether through photographs or film, their work transports you back in time, letting you relive the joy, love,…

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June Organization Member of the Month

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Congratulations to our Organization Member of the Month Prism United! Six years ago, a dedicated group of community leaders and volunteers in Mobile, Alabama, came together with a shared vision: to create a safe and affirming space for LGBTQ+ teens. What began as a simple peer support group soon revealed deeper, systemic challenges facing LGBTQ+…

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Now Accepting Submissions for the 2025 Annual MAC Members’ Show

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The Mobile Arts Council (MAC) will feature works by our Artist Members for the months of July and August 2025. 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). Artists with more than one entry…

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April Organization Member of the Month

Graphic for Mobile Arts Council Organization Member of the Month April 2025 Mystic Order of the Jazz Obsessed

Congratulations to April’s Organization of the Month the Mystic Order of the Jazz Obsessed (MOJO)! Founded on September 10, 2001, in the heart of the city known as “The Mother of the Mystics,” MOJO began as a bold vision by jazz enthusiast Kevin Lee. Armed with a poster of Miles Davis, a stylized saxophone, and…

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Sponsor Make Music Day!

What is Make Music Day? It is a global event, and we’re bringing the excitement to our city on June 21st. MMD Mobile will be a day filled with music, where everyone is invited to join in, whether you’re a seasoned musician, a beginner, or simply a music enthusiast. Here’s what you can expect: We…

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Selects Local Artists

Congratulations to Frank Ledbetter, Rachel Wright, Brian Argo, Hannah Georgina Legg, Christopher R. Murray, Elsa Payton, and Margaret Richey for being selected to create artwork for the new U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District building! We are so proud to be assisting with this project, coordinating with artists and the Corps of Engineers to…

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Accepting anthology cover art submissions

Calling all local artists! The Mobile Arts Council is now accepting submissions for the cover art of “We Did It First: Poems from Poets of Mobile, Alabama” — an anthology celebrating the voices of 48 talented poets, curated by Mobile’s inaugural Poet Laureate, Charlotte Pence. This is your chance to design the cover for this…

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2024-2025 Poetry Out Loud Competition Registration Open Now!

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Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. Poetry Out Loud is…

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Art Walk

Loda Artwalk 2026

Come celebrate LODA ArtWalk in Downtown Mobile from 6 to 9 p.m. every second Friday of the month! Join us at Cathedral Square and the Kids Zone for special monthly activations. Cathedral Square and Kids Zone activations are made possible by City of Mobile Parks & Recreation. Don’t miss out on photo ops and a…

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FIVE Show Winners Awarded

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MAC is delighted to announce the 2024 FIVE Show winners! These students’ works were picked out of 75 entries that had previously been juried into the exhibition. Thank you to all students currently exhibiting their work, and congratulations to this year’s FIVE winners. The FIVE Show will be on display in MAC’s Gallery @ Room…

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Celebrate Poetry Month this April!

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Weekly Poetry Prompts, School Workshop Application Open, & April ArtWalk Performances Friday Poetry Prompts Mobile’s Poet Laureate, Charlotte Pence, is providing a poetry prompt each Friday in April to inspire you to write a poem. Both the experience of writing and reading poetry can have a powerful, positive effect. Sometimes when talking to others, words can be…

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MAC Seeks New Executive Director

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Lead the Mobile Arts Council to new heights!  Are you ready to ignite your passion for the arts and drive transformative change in Mobile? The Mobile Arts Council (MAC) is on the lookout for an extraordinary Executive Director to lead the charge in shaping our city’s cultural landscape. As the Executive Director of MAC, you’ll…

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Artys 2024 – Call for Nominations

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We want your nominations for the 2024 Artys! The Artys is Mobile’s only awards program that acknowledges the priceless contributions made to the arts and cultural community across all realms of the arts. For nineteen years, Mobile Arts Council has presented these awards to recognize the creative achievements of individuals, organizations, and businesses. Each year…

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Charlotte Pence Named City of Mobile Poet Laureate

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Mobile selects Dr. Charlotte Pence as city’s first poet laureate  Mobile, Ala. — Through a partnership with the Mobile Arts Council and the Alabama State Council on the Arts, the City of Mobile has named writer and educator Dr. Charlotte Pence as its first poet laureate.  A published author and accomplished poet, Pence has been a…

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Jerry Roldan – Celebration of Life

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On Saturday, January 20th, the Mobile Arts Council will be hosting a Celebration of Life for Jerry Roldan at our Gallery @ Room 1927 from 12 to 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided, and this event is open to the public.

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The Throwdown

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The Throwdown is the Mobile Arts Council’s largest annual fundraising event. Proceeds go towards supporting our mission: to enrich the quality of life in the greater Mobile area through increasing accessibility to the arts and promoting a vibrant cultural community. View photos and details from previous Throwdown events on our main page here! For the…

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Chickasabogue Park – Conference Center Window Design Contest

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The Mobile Arts Council is searching for an artist to create a design to be laminated inside the windows of the new Chickasabogue Conference Center entrance. The chosen winner will receive $5,000. Submissions are due by the end of day on May 31st, 2023. Eligibility: • Artist must be 18 years of age or older and must reside…

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Tape Art Mural & Workshop

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This December, downtown Mobile will welcome Tape Art artists Michael Townsend and Leah Smith to create a massive work of art on the outside of the Temple Downtown. Tape Art is an evolving group of public artists who create large-scale temporary drawings and installations out of low-adhesive tape. Over the last 33 years, Tape Art…

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Roxann Dyess – “Miniature’s & More” Silent Auction Items

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All auction items have the current and minimum bid information listed in the photo caption. Bidding ends on June 30th at 2 p.m. If you are outbid, we will call/text you to see if you would like to increase your bid for the item. The Miniatures See images of the available miniatures below. To bid…

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“Gift a Glass” & Give to the Arts!

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Gift a glass, sip and support the Arts at Downtown’s local breweries! The Mobile Arts Council’s 2021 holiday fundraiser costs $75 per participant. Each “Gift a Glass” purchase includes: –  a limited edition handblown pint glass by Muffinjaw Designs  –  a draft pint of your choice at each of Mobile’s local breweries: Braided River Brewing, Iron Hand Brewing, Old Majestic…

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View additional past LoDa ArtWalk albums here!

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17th Annual Award Unveiled

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THE ARTYS // About the Award & Artist Mobile Arts Council has unveiled the newest design, and artist behind it, for their annual Arty award. Mixed media artist Mary Elizabeth Kimbrough was commissioned to create the newest addition to the Arty lineup. The colorful design features painting and collage, and incorporates flora and fauna of…

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Throwdown Artists Wanted!

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Now in its 10th year, The Throwdown is the Mobile Arts Council’s (MAC’s) largest annual fundraiser. The Throwdown consists of a live art competition between some of Mobile’s finest local artists, an all-inclusive silent auction, live music, and more. Each year, five artists are chosen to be our official Throwdown competitors (one being the previous year’s…

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City of Mobile, Mobile Arts Council seeking proposals for Hall of Fame Courtyard

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Mobile, Ala – The City of Mobile and the Mobile Arts Council are calling on interested artists and architects to submit early concepts for a project that will commemorate Mobile’s local sports icons. Earlier this year, Mobile Mayor Stimpson announced plans to establish a “Hall of Fame Courtyard” near the Mobile Convention Center and Cooper Riverside Park to…

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Mobile Music Summit

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The Mobile Music Summit will feature three speakers representative of different aspects of the music industry! Stan Foster (Professional Musician, Rollin’ in the Hay), Marq Dean (Entertainment Business, Recruitment & Sales), and Wendy Day (Founder of Rap Coalition) will share their experiences and helpful tips relating to Music Business throughout the day. This informational workshop…

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May Parade Squirrel Soiree

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The City of Mobile has organized a special parade to be held next Friday, May 21st at 6:30 p.m. on Modified Route A. Before the parade begins, please consider joining us for the Mystic SOB’s May Parade Squirrel Soiree on from 4 to 6 p.m. at the gallery – including an open bar, appetizers, and…

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FESTIVAL OF QUILTS 2023

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“Back to Traditions’’ Sponsored by Azalea City Quilters’ Guild Over 350 quilts with dazzling designs and mastered techniques on display. Featuring Art Quilts, Demonstrations, Opportunity Quilt, Vendors, Unique Boutique, Country Store, Quilts of Valor presentations, Sit and Sew for Charity Quilts and much more. Friday, May 12 & Saturday May 13, 2023 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission…

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#GivingMobileArt

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GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Help us by #GivingMobileArt for #GivingTuesday! Any contribution you make will make…

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Bienville Oaks: Artists Wanted for Fallen Trees

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Apply online through the application to be eligible for a piece of wood from the fallen Bienville oaks. The information provided will be used to determine the artistic merit of those interested and help us determine how to divide the salvageable wood from Bienville Square. This application will close after Tuesday, December 1st, and we…

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Mobile Arts Council is Awarded NEA Grant

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mobile, Ala. – The Mobile Arts Council has been approved for a $50,000 award as part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This grant will go toward salary and other facility expenses. Development Director Angela Montgomery comments, “We are honored to be the…

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YouTube Raffle: Like, Comment, and Subscribe

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Radio Woodworks has donated a fine, handmade made walnut and maple cutting board shaped like the state of Alabama. The cutting board is the prize for one lucky person who subscribes to the Mobile Arts Council YouTube channel. Enter the raffle by liking the video featuring Radio Woodworks, leaving a comment on the video, AND…

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Musical Performer Database

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Are you an area musician looking for performance opportunities? We’re here to help! MAC is putting together a musical performer database to share with the City of Mobile Special Events Department, local venues, restaurants, and individuals looking to book Mobile-area musicians. Possible gigs include playing LODA Artwalk and Market in the Park, the virtual MOB Music Fest in July, outdoor…

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Benita Hatfield McNider

Benita Hatfield McNider specializes in animals and portraiture in oils. If you are interested in seeing more of her artwork, or in commissioning a piece, email her at hatfieldartmcnider@gmail.com Artist Statement: Creative awareness is a powerful force! It can usher us out of despair, into a state of grace, transform sadness into laughter, or carry us…

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Mobile Arts Council: Jingle for YouTube

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The Mobile Arts Council (MAC) YouTube channel is expanding and needs a jingle! Footage from our #GivingTuesday2019 Stream-A-Thon, the Artys, and member submissions will be uploaded weekly to continue MAC’s mission to promote artists and art organizations, as well as advocate on their behalves. Before the channel can start uploading, the logo animation needs a…

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