The Rhythms of Color Festival returns to Birmingham Oct. 14— meet the local artist who started it all

On Saturday, October 14, the Rhythms of Color Art Festival returns to The Magic City. The annual festival is jam-packed with local talent, featuring a wide array of visual artists, musicians, artisans and even a student art competition.

Keep reading to learn more about how this event started, how it supports local artists and where to get your ticket. 

About the Rhythms of Color Art Festival in Birmingham

Every year, local music, art and entertainment collide at the Rhythms of Color Art Festival for an exhibition of the city’s talent and culture. Located at the Harbert Center, the event will promote all kinds of local vendors offering handmade art and goods. Here’s a peek at some things you’ll be able to shop for:

• Original art
• Jewelry
• Soaps and perfumes
• Sculpture
• Books

The festival will feature a student art competition, highlighting young local talent who specialize in 2D or 3D visual art. A wine tasting and hors d’eouvres will also be included with each ticket.

Local Birmingham artist Java Lewis started the festival himself nearly 20 years ago

Seventeen years ago, the festival started with one local artist: Java Lewis. You may know Lewis as “Mr. Painter Man”, but really he’s more of an “everything man”—a painter, hairstylist and recording artist based in Birmingham. According to Lewis, he was homeless when he started the festival nearly twenty years ago and only had one vendor—himself.

“When I started the festival, I was homeless at the time. So I started out just doing the festival on the street, I’d just have my pictures out on the street and I made a sign that said ‘first annual art festival.’ That was seventeen years ago. At first I did it downtown where I used to live on the corner of 1st Avenue and 20th Street, that’s where I started out when I first moved back to town.”

Java Lewis

Over the years, the festival caught the attention of more local artists and community members.

“The second time, I began to get some other artists and vendors to put their work into the festival and pictures was just put all over the park across from the Carver Theatre. I had them in the trees and they had a little stage there, I had the pictures just everywhere. The director of music at the Carver Theatre, Dr. Frank Adams, saw us out there, so he came out there. He said, “Do you mind if I interpret your pictures with my music?” and that’s where I got the name ‘Rhythms of Color.’ When Dr. Frank Adams came over, he began to interpret my artwork and the other people’s  artwork with his own. He would look at the pictures and sit there and play a song to him, then he would go on to the next picture.”

Java Lewis

What started with one man on the street has now expanded to feature over 30 artists and musicians from across the country. Nearly two decades since its inception, the event now includes live demos, entertainment and all kinds of raffles and prizes.

Get your ticket for the Rhythms of Color Art Festival now

Advance tickets are available now for $20 per guest or $10 per guest under 18. Tickets will also be available for $25 at the door.

For questions about tickets or vendor applications, contact Java Lewis at (205) 617-9164.

• When: Saturday, October 14, 5-9PM
• Where: 2019 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

Will you be attending this year’s festival? Tag us @bhamnow and let us know!