Southern Makers, it’s nice to have you in Birmingham – August 12-13
Reading time: 7 minutes
Sponsored
Southern Makers makes its debut in Birmingham August 12th & 13th. The creative event brings together the south’s top creative talents (and enthusiasts) for a weekend of creation, cultivation, and innovation. Learn more about the move, the festival, and a few of the makers themselves.
After Southern Makers’ four-year run in Montgomery, event planners made the decision to feature Historic Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham as the backdrop for the 5th annual celebration of Southern creativity.
Southern Makers celebrates their handpicked top creative makers in this two-day event by providing a platform and atmosphere where networking, collaboration, and discovery is encouraged. The event offers workshops, activities, demonstrations, and a maker bazaar to showcase the gorgeous work by the best designers and artists that live and work in the south.
Centered on exploring southern tradition, you’ll see unique innovators in fields of food, architecture, fine art, fashion and design. These fine makers come together for a greater good: to show why the south deserves all of our creative accolades.
We hope that visitors will learn a little something about why the south is a unique and creative place to live, discover and visit. – Southern Makers
[Birmingham restaurants receive prestigious awards from Wine Spectator]
[Birmingham claims three nominations for James Beard awards]
THE MAKERS
Between all of the fun workshops and demonstrations (like wood oven pizza making and cocktail creating), the maker bazaar is the place to be. There, you’ll see all of the makers together in a beautiful hall full of southern talent. From pottery to handmade soaps to local honeys and more, it’s all about the creativity and staying true to yourself. Meet a few of the 2017 makers below and see what they had to say about Southern Makers.
Jordan Jarvis Hughes of Stately Made (Birmingham, AL)
– What do you make? How did you start?
Stately Made® was born out of a love of history and culture, pretty paper, and my home, the good ole South. When I was in college, I took several folklore and southern history classes and noticed that something inside me came alive as I learned about traditional arts, music, foodways, and folktales that were unique to each region and state. After I took a formal calligraphy class, my two passions began to intersect in the form of hand lettering quotes and bits of state and regional culture, which I turned into greeting cards and prints.
– How has Southern Makers impacted you, and what does it mean to you to be a part of it?
I was a part of my first Southern Makers four years ago, and at the time, it was the first large-scale show I had ever sold my greeting cards and prints at. Not only was that day an amazing celebration of our state and all-things Southern, but I feel like it really helped launch my young business by connecting me into a community of makers as well as giving me great exposure to my target audience. To this day, it is still my favorite event I have ever done, and I feel honored and humbled to be included each year with so many other kind, talented folks!
– What are you looking forward to most about Southern Makers being in Birmingham this year?
I am especially excited that Southern Makers will be in my home city of Birmingham this year! It’s an exciting time to live in Birmingham, in the midst of so much revitalization happening, as well as the food and arts scene booming. I think hosting Southern Makers in such a historical location will be a wonderful addition!
Andrew Lee of Andrew Lee Designs (Auburn, AL)
– What do you make? How did you start?
Fine art (paintings, illustrations, mixed media, etc.), art reproduction prints, custom leather goods (keychains, coasters, etc.), stationery products (note pads, note cards, etc.), woodworking/handcrafted items like custom fly boxes, cutting/serving boards, coasters, half-dozen oyster server boards (a Garden&Gun’s Made in the South Awards submission for this year). I have a custom jewelry collaboration with my wife called ‘The Curated Collection’. And, I created unique drinkware and accessories as a Southern Makers exclusive.
When I was young, I loved to draw and paint things and usually gave them away as favors or gifts. After hopping around the South for new job opportunities in industrial design and marketing/advertising, things seemed to have come to a crossroads in 2014. My wife and I were at the lake talking about how I really ought to paint again, and not close the door on a God-given talent. It wasn’t until posting some images on social media and gaining some commissions that we realized it might be worth it to paint more and make it available for sale. So, I did.
– How has Southern Makers impacted you, and what does it mean to you to be a part of it?
Southern Makers fosters creativity. It gave me a platform to try, inspired me to step out and try to see where I could go with my artwork, and encouraged me to push my limits back then. I’m still trying hard to introduce new paintings and handcrafted products year round. It’s the reason I’ve formed relationships and friendships with patrons and collaborators of whom I would have never met or gotten to work with had I not been a part.
Southern Makers showcases what’s good about the ‘little man’. It’s also been the catalyst for some folks to become not-so-little anymore. It puts a spotlight on the good things about Southern culture and it selflessly promotes the people who are interesting, colorful, special, and talented individuals. It attracts the folks who appreciate those rarities and who want to support local craftsmanship.
For some reason, it feels like family. It’s been a way to relate to people I don’t necessarily have a whole lot in common with, and introduced me to folks that feel like I’ve known them my whole life. It’s been an honor to be included among such an impressive community of makers.
THE NITTY GRITTY
When: Saturday, August 12th and Sunday, August 13th / 12-5PM
Where: Historic Sloss Furnaces
20 32nd Street North
Birmingham, Alabama 35222
Volunteering? You can do that. In fact, it’s encouraged! You’ll get a t-shirt, access to Southern Makers in your off time, free entry to a Southern Makers concert at Avondale Brewing (see below), and a party for you and all of your new volunteer friends.
What about tickets?
Individual ticket prices are below. Be sure to follow along closely with Bham Now for a chance to win tickets!
Children under 10 – FREE
Single day tickets – $24.99
Weekend Pass – $35.99
VIP ticket – $85
- An all weekend, all access ticket that includes entry to A/C areas with exclusive food and treat options.
5 Star Dinner – $200
- One-of-a-kind dining experience benefitting the Southern Makers nonprofit. Enjoy a five course meal prepared by a variety of the South’s top culinary talents.
Extra Southern Makers event:
Southern Makers presents Single Lock Records – $20
- Original music by Daniel Elias + Exotic Dancers, Belle Adair, Mia Dyson, and John Paul White at Avondale Brewing.
*Ticket price does not include fees or sales tax
BUY TICKETS HERE!
Sponsored by:
