News

January 2026 Organization Member of the Month New Hand Signs

January Organization Member of the Month

February 3, 2026

Congratulations to our January Organization Member of the Month New Hand Signs! New Hand Signs is locally owned and operated serving the Gulf Coast and beyond, working as far out as Chicago and Arizona. In a world of cookie-cutter one size fits all design, they are committed to standing apart and providing high-quality, one-of-a-kind signage…

Member of the Month graphic for Symone French January 2026

January Artist Member of the Month

February 3, 2026

Congratulations to our January 2026 Artist Member of the Month, Symone French! Locally known as Mobile’s Mistress of Soul, Symone has been putting in the work and captivating audiences with her powerhouse vocals since launching her career in 2014. A Mobile Bay “On the Rise: Artist to Watch and Nappie Award winner, French has gained…

graphic for Mobile Arts Council Members show at Cottonwood Center for the Arts in Colorado Springs

Mobile Arts Council Members’ Show at Cottonwood Center for the Arts COS

January 21, 2026

Call for Artists: “Spirit of the South: works by Mobile Arts Council Members”– A Gulf Coast Exhibition in Colorado Springs Mobile Arts Council, in collaboration with Cottonwood Center for the Arts in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is thrilled to invite our Artist Members to participate in a special exhibition for August 2026. This exclusive, juried opportunity will feature…

Organization Member of the Month December Urban Emporium

December Organization Member of the Month

January 21, 2026

Congratulations to our December Organization Member of the Month Urban Emporium! Urban Emporium is a nonprofit retail incubator home to more than thirty local retailers, all under one roof at 260 Dauphin Street. Dedicated to supporting small businesses, Urban Emporium provides an accessible and welcoming space for entrepreneurs to share high-quality, locally made products with…

Artist Member of the Month December Janet Nodar

December Artist Member of the Month

January 21, 2026

Congratulations to our December Artist Member of the Month, Janet Shirley Nodar! Although she retired from journalism in late 2025, Janet Nodar will always be a writer. She says, “Ask me what I do, and I’ll give you a list of activities. Ask me what I am and there’s only one answer: I’m a writer.”…

Artys Awards graphic

The 21st Artys Awards Nominations are open

January 8, 2026

The Mobile Arts Council is excited to announce that nominations are now open for the 21st Annual Artys Awards! This annual award ceremony is the only one of its kind in Mobile and recognizes the incredible talent within our local creative community, celebrating the achievements and contributions of individuals and organizations who have made a…

Greater Mobile Student Show February 2026 graphic

Greater Mobile Student Show

January 8, 2026

We are excited to share some important updates with you regarding our annual student exhibition. Beginning this year, the Visual Arts Achievement Program (VAAP) will now be known as the Greater Mobile Student Art Show, presented by Amp Up Arts. While the spirit and structure of the program remain strong, this refreshed name reflects our commitment to elevating…

MAC January 2026 exhibition Brittany Norman "Groundwork" Savannah Asmus "Liminal Spaces" and Tiersha Faith Laird "Sacred Forms"

January 2026: Britney Norman, Tiersha Faith Laird, and Savanna Asmus

January 7, 2026

The Mobile Arts Council is proud to announce its upcoming exhibitions for January 2026, featuring three artists whose works exemplify the beauty of nature and human figures. Groundwork is inspired by nature, urban environments, and the complexities of human experience, and invites viewers to engage through personal interpretation and emotional connection.Light, color, and motion interact…

graphic for 2026-2027 Poet Laureate Huggy Bear da Poet, ALex Jerome Lofton the second

City of Mobile’s Poet Laureate 2026-2027

December 17, 2025

The Mobile Arts Council (MAC), in partnership with the City of Mobile and the Alabama State Council on the Arts, is proud to announce the appointment of Alex Lofton, known throughout the community as “Huggy Bear da Poet,” as Mobile’s 2026–2027 Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate program celebrates the power of poetry to uplift, connect,…

November Organization of the month Ogden Museum of Southern Art

November Organization Member of the Month

November 25, 2025

Congratulations to our November Organization Member of the Month Ogden Museum of Southern Art! We loved visiting the museum last month and are excited to continue strengthening relationships with fellow arts organizations as we work together to connect and uplift creative communities across the Gulf Coast. Located in the Warehouse Arts District of downtown New…