UAB's ArtPlay

09/04/2026

🎉 Welcome back to Birmingham, Sharrif!

We’re excited to welcome poet, musician, and educator Sharrif Simmons back for his annual artist residency with UAB Arts in Medicine & UAB ArtPlay!

Throughout the next month, Sharrif will once again bring his unique blend of rhythm, storytelling, spoken word, and live performance into our clinical and community spaces—creating opportunities for connection, self-expression, and creativity along the way.

We’ll be sharing moments from the residency throughout the month, but for now, help us welcome Sharrif back to Birmingham! 💚

09/04/2026

This fall, discover new opportunities to learn, create, and connect at ArtPlay!

Explore one-day and multi-week classes for all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re discovering a new passion or building on existing skills, there’s a class for you, like this one…

Graveyard Silhouettes with Heather Hyatt
Saturday, October 17, 10:00 AM-noon

Explore atmospheric watercolor techniques in this seasonal painting workshop. Participants will create moody landscape compositions using silhouette, contrast, and limited color palettes to achieve dramatic visual effects. This class emphasizes composition, layering, and expressive mark-making while offering a fun, accessible entry point into watercolor.

Register HERE: https://www.alysstephens.org/connect/classes/graveyard-silhouettes-with-heather-hyatt/

About the Teaching Artist: Heather Hyatt is an art educator and practicing artist with over two decades of classroom experience. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Auburn University and a Master of Education from the University of Montevallo. She is passionate about helping students build confidence, discover their artistic voice, and experience the joy of creating.

08/31/2026

🎉 We’re kicking off a new season of creativity at the 2026 UAB Center for the Arts Block Party!

Did you know? UAB Arts in Medicine is one of four organizations that make up the UAB Center for the Arts, alongside the Alys Stephens Center, ArtPlay Community Education, and AEIVA. Together, we’re celebrating another season of connecting our community through the arts — and you’re invited to join us!

📅 Friday, September 18
⏰ 5–9 p.m.
📍 Outside the Alys Stephens Center
🎟️ FREE + open to everyone!

Come enjoy local food trucks, creative vendors, interactive arts experiences, giveaways, live music and more — including a free outdoor concert at 7 p.m. with two-time Grammy Award winner Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience! 🎶
And be sure to stop by and say hello to the AIM team — we’ll be there with a hands-on creative activity of our own. 💚🎨

Kick off the season with us and celebrate all the ways the arts bring Birmingham together!

🔗 Read more about the Block Party from Bham Now here:

🎨 FREE BLOCK PARTY IN BHAM: Two-time Grammy winner Terrance Simien headlines this free outdoor concert on Sept. 18 — plus local food trucks, art vendors, interactive crafts and gallery tours, all in one night downtown. 👇 NowPartner

08/30/2026

This fall, discover new opportunities to learn, create, and connect at ArtPlay!

Explore one-day and multi-week classes for all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re discovering a new passion or building on existing skills, there’s a class for you, like this one…

Collage Shirts with Peter "Float" Lücker
Sunday, October 11, 2:00-5:00pm

Design and create a one-of-a-kind wearable artwork using collage techniques and heat press technology. Participants will combine shapes, patterns, and personal designs to produce custom shirts while learning the basics of layout, transfer, and production. This class blends visual art with functional design in an engaging, hands-on format.

While ArtPlay will have T-shirts available, participants should plan to bring their own cotton/poly blend T-shirt(s) to personalize (2–3 recommended).

Register HERE: https://www.alysstephens.org/connect/classes/collage-shirts-with-peter-float-lucker/

About the Teaching Artist: Peter “Float” Lücker is a self-taught artist with over 20 years of experience and a strong focus on public art and community engagement. He has spent the past decade working in STEAM education, encouraging creative problem-solving and hands-on learning through art.

08/28/2026

This fall, discover new opportunities to learn, create, and connect at ArtPlay!

Explore one-day and multi-week classes for all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re discovering a new passion or building on existing skills, there’s a class for you, like this one…

Intro to Theatre: The Art of Storytelling with Irealle Sylvas
Saturday, October 10, 10:00-11:30am, or:
Saturday, October 17, 10:30-11:30am

This interactive class introduces young learners to the foundations of storytelling through theatre. Students engage in creative movement, character-building, and imaginative play while developing confidence and communication skills. Through guided exercises and collaborative storytelling, participants bring ideas to life and deepen their understanding of narrative and performance.

Register HERE for Saturday, October 10: https://www.alysstephens.org/connect/classes/intro-to-theatre-the-art-of-storytelling-with-irealle-sylvas/

Register HERE for Saturday, October 17:
https://www.alysstephens.org/connect/classes/intro-to-theatre-the-art-of-storytelling-with-irealle-sylvas-2/

About the Artist: Irealle Sylvas is an actor, author, playwright, and teaching artist dedicated to inspiring creativity, confidence, and self-expression through storytelling and theatre. As the creator of Ikidd Intro to Theatre: The Art of Storytelling, Irealle combines literacy, movement, and performance to help young people discover their voices and develop communication skills.

08/28/2026

Join your friends from ArtPlay and the UAB Center for the Arts at this year’s Block Party featuring Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience!

ArtPlay’s Emerging Artists will perform, along with free art activities, and a live art demo by Huntsville-based artist, Float.

See you Friday, September 18, outside at the Alys Stephens Center for all the fun!

"Float" Zydeco Rocks! [:]|||||[:] UAB's ArtPlay UAB Center fUAB's ArtPlayAUAB Center for the ArtsrUAB's Alys Stephens CentermUAB Arts in MedicinerAbroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts

08/27/2026

This fall, discover new opportunities to learn, create, and connect at ArtPlay!

Explore one-day and multi-week classes for all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re discovering a new passion or building on existing skills, there’s a class for you, like this one…

Everything Will Go Wrong with Zoe Christie
Saturday, October 3, 10:30-11:30am

In this high-energy improv workshop, students learn to embrace mistakes and turn them into creative opportunities. Through theatre games, collaborative exercises, and guided performance scenarios, participants build confidence, adaptability, and stage presence. This class encourages risk-taking in a supportive environment and helps young performers develop resilience, communication skills, and trust in their instincts.

Register HERE: https://www.alysstephens.org/connect/classes/everything-will-go-wrong-with-zoe-christie/

About the Teaching Artist: Zoe Christie is a performer and teaching artist with experience in live performance, stage management, and collaborative arts education through HEARTGlobal. She has led interactive workshops focused on creativity, confidence, teamwork, and self-expression. Zoe is passionate about creating engaging, supportive environments where participants feel encouraged to take risks, explore performance, and grow through the creative process.

08/26/2026

This fall, discover new opportunities to learn, create, and connect at ArtPlay!

Explore one-day and multi-week classes for all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re discovering a new passion or building on existing skills, there’s a class for you, like this one…
The Whys and Hows of Saving Money with Dr. Lisa Gibbs

Saturday, October 3 - 10:00 am

This engaging workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of financial literacy, including saving strategies, budgeting, and goal setting. Designed for artists and creative individuals, the class connects discipline in the arts to financial wellness. Participants leave with practical tools and actionable steps for building financial confidence.

Register HERE: https://www.alysstephens.org/connect/classes/the-whys-and-hows-of-savingmoney-with-dr-lisa-gibbs/

About the Teaching Artist: Dr. Lisa E. Gibbs is a teaching artist with a background in dance education, arts administration, and financial services. A former professional dancer, she is passionate about helping individuals build confidence and security through financial literacy and practical life skills.

08/24/2026

This fall, discover new opportunities to learn, create, and connect at ArtPlay!

Explore one-day and multi-week classes for all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re discovering a new passion or building on existing skills, there’s a class for you, like this one…

Flow & Fashion: Pour Art + Jewelry with Rhonda Henry
Mondays, September 28-October 19 - 5:30-7:30pm

This multi-session class explores the creative process from painting to wearable design. Participants begin by creating abstract pour paintings, experimenting with color, movement, and composition. In later sessions, they transform elements of their artwork into custom jewelry pieces. The class combines visual art and design, encouraging experimentation, personal expression, and an understanding of how artwork can evolve across mediums.

Register HERE: https://www.alysstephens.org/connect/classes/

About the Teaching Artist: Rhonda Henry is a multidisciplinary artist and jewelry designer based in Alabama. Through her brand, Rhondikreations, she explores the harmony of color, pattern, and texture, creating handcrafted pieces that transform art into wearable expression. Her creative practice evolved from abstract and pour painting into polymer clay jewelry design.

08/22/2026

This fall, discover new opportunities to learn, create, and connect at ArtPlay!

Explore one-day and multi-week classes for all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re discovering a new passion or building on existing skills, there’s a class for you, like this one…

Nature Journaling with Amy Sides
Tuesdays, September 29-November 3 - 5:30-6:30pm

Participants will develop observation and drawing skills through nature journaling, combining scientific curiosity with artistic expression. Each session encourages participants to slow down, notice details, and record experiences through sketching and writing. This class fosters creativity, mindfulness, and a deeper connection to the natural environment.

Register HERE: https://www.alysstephens.org/connect/classes/

About the Teaching Artist:
Amy Sides is an environmental educator with over 20 years of experience. She works as a freelance nature journaling instructor and collaborates with UAB’s Arts in Medicine program. She is passionate about curiosity-driven learning and connecting people with the natural world.

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