Magic City Art Connection is back at Sloss Furnaces—April 24-26

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A beloved Birmingham tradition is back just in time to spark spring inspiration in the form of an art oasis—all in the heart of downtown Birmingham.

The Magic City Art Connection returns for its 43rd year, taking place this year at Sloss Furnaces during the weekend of April 24-26.

Follow along as we get the scoop on what to see, sip and take in during one of Birmingham’s most colorful and fun weekends all year.

What is Magic City Art Connection?

If you’ve never enjoyed this pinnacle art event in Birmingham and think it might just be a standard-issue art show, think again. Instead, you’ll find the following:

• 175 juried, fine artists from around the country
• Corks & Chefs: A Taste of Birmingham—more on this culinary experience below!
• Imagination Festival art workshops for kids
• Live music + dance performances
• A gallery special exhibition at Sloss Furnaces’ Duncan House by Scott Miller Projects featuring artist Delrico Gibson
• High school sculpture installations
• Booths + info from local non-profits
• Open-air umbrella lounges for a shade break + people watching
• …so much more!

Set among the historic and visually stimulating Sloss Furnaces, you can weave your way around the grounds, mingling with other art lovers, taking a break for inspiration and connecting with the vibrant Birmingham art community.

You’ll find works in all sizes, media and price points, whether you’re just starting to formulate a collection or are a seasoned art aficionado.

• When: Fri April 24-Sun April 26
  • Friday, April 24: 12PM – 6PM
  • Saturday, April 25: 10AM – 6PM
  • Sunday, April 26: 10AM – 5PM
• Where: Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, 20 32nd St N Birmingham
  • Tip: There’s parking at the Sloss Furnaces complex + a shuttle to transport attendees across the grounds.
• Cost: $15/day (Purchase tickets here)
• Don’t miss: Corks & Chefs, the 29th annual tasting + sipping festival of Birmingham’s best food + drink available for an additional charge

This year’s featured artist + other artists to look for

Each year, the festival selects a special artist to highlight. This year, Birmingham painter Keith Thomson gets the honor, and you’ll find his work featured on this year’s poster and shirts, as well as prominently displayed at the festival.

A writer and cartoonist by trade, Keith found his way as a visual artist in part thanks to the platform and marketplace that Magic City Art Connection provides working artists from around the country as they connect with southern collectors in Birmingham.

Check out some of Keith’s unique works and playful, humorous narratives here, and make sure to stop by his booth and say hello. You even might get a free chicken drawing.

_{Enjoy inspiring works from late artist Delrico Gibson at Sloss’ Duncan House (Magic City Art Connection)}

There’s another Alabama artist’s works you must see: Delrico Gibson was a Clanton artist who created a series called “Strings of Gratitude” to honor the caregivers who assisted him after a serious accident. Though Gibson passed away in 2023, his works speak to his positive perseverance and the power of art as a vehicle for healing.

Gibson’s work is being presented by Scott Miller Projects as part of Festival’s gallery outreach and special exhibitions programming, and will be located at the Duncan House at Sloss Furnaces, just off of the main parking lot on-site.

Find a comprehensive guide to all of this year’s Magic City Art Connection artists here. You can sort by medium, see examples of their work and read brief bios of each artist.

Corks & Chefs is back again! Get the tasty details 👇

Once you’ve taken in all the visual art, it’s time to activate your taste buds for one of Birmingham’s ultimate culinary experiences: Corks & Chefs. It’s been a part of Magic City Art Connection since 1997, and it celebrates some of the best bites and beverages from the Magic City’s celebrated food scene as the longest-running tasting event of its kind.

You can expect 9 culinary features to taste each day with wine, beer, cocktail, spirits, kombucha and coffee accompaniments. Feel free to sip while you stroll around the festival grounds, too. Plus, sit in on special seminars, demos, and guided tastings at the Seminar Tent.

Find schedules and details here for the 29th annual Corks & Chefs, including presence from:

In addition to the diverse, local tasting experience at Corks & Chefs, look out for food trucks and more dining options at the Festival Cafe from vendors like Eugene’s Hot Chicken, Baboy, Rae Rae’s Catering and Sons Donuts + Pops.

• What: Corks & Chefs
• When:
  • Saturday, April 25: 12PM – 3PM
  • Sunday, April 26: 12PM – 3PM
• Cost: $65 for a 1-day pass | $105 for a weekend pass (purchase tickets here)
• Bonus: Your Corks & Chefs ticket includes 3-day entry to Magic City Art Connection. Make a weekend of it!

Something for everyone at Magic City Art Connection 2026

_{Browse all types of arts, get down to some great tunes and mingle with the merrymakers from across Birmingham at the 2026 MCAC. (Magic City Art Connection)}

The MCAC long weekend kicks off with the Imagination Festival’s school outreach program on Thursday, April 23. 600 4th graders from around the Greater Birmingham Area will get interactive arts and educational experiences lead by real artists at this one-of-a-kind art field trip. A curated group of these kid-friendly creative workshops will continue throughout the weekend.

Imagination Festival is not the only school programming at MCAC: Make sure to check out The High School Sculpture Project installations on view adjacent to the Spray Pond. They’re a clever way to get a sneak peek of the artistic genius bubbling up in future generations of artists.

And as if the visual art wasn’t enough, make time to catch live music and dance performances happening throughout the weekend.

You can see why this is one of Birmingham’s can’t-miss weekends.

Get your tickets now to save and start planning your immersive art experience at Magic City Art Connection 2026. We’ll see you there!

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