Find: Birmingham Arts Journal
A friend tipped me off to the Birmingham Arts Journal recently. Where have I been to have missed noticing this lovely publication? It has a carefully curated selection of passages, poetry, art and photographs. It’s also available in it’s entirety via web. What a perfect pick-me-up for when a BirminghamMom needs a short mental break from the usual routine.
The editors describe their efforts better than I ever could:
The Birmingham Arts Journal is published by passionate volunteers, who believe that exceptional works by the famous, not-yet famous, and never-to-be famous deserve to be published side by side in a beautiful and creative setting.
Isn’t there something comforting about knowing even the “never-to-be” famous have a forum for us to find and enjoy their work? There are some delightful pieces here, with several that had me imagining what interesting company their authors might be. Collectively, these guys would have to make for a fascinating cocktail party.
One artist had originally wished to be a photographer but was discouraged by the fierce competition in the field, so she pursued another love – neurology (?!) - and practiced at UAB before taking a leave to pursue her interest in photography once again. I can only imagine how refreshing it was for her to take a respite from her field to photograph umbrellas on the beach (p. 25). Did she giggle when she realized she was out of a lab coat and in flip-flops for the moment? Admit it, don’t we all harbor a desire to pursue another interest one of these days? And is the Pro-Am golf tour the universal fantasy among husbands?
If the web version isn’t as satisfying as an old fashioned paper-and-glue one, you can purchase a copy for only $5 (the equivalent of every fast-food value meal right now) at Reed Books, 2021 Third Ave. North, or the Marilyn Wilson Gallery in Forest Park. A $20 donation will entitle you to the next four issues.
The Birmingham Arts Journal also accepts submissions for consideration. If you’ve been quietly harboring your own alter-ego artist, poet, photographer, or writer, why not submit your work? If your work is published, you’ll receive a free copy of the journal that includes your submission. Then you’ll be the toast of your next cocktail party!