Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Meet these 3 artists who showcase the beauty of the Magic City
Reading time: 3 minutes
The 43rd year of the Magic City Art Connection festival just wrapped up, and anyone who attended at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark likely noticed some beautiful art depicting the beauty of Birmingham.
Here are just a few artists who draw inspiration from the Magic City’s iconic landmarks, from the unique architecture to the natural beauty of the landscapes. To explore every artist who showed their work at the festival this year, visit the Magic City Art Connection website.
Eric Poland
Eric Poland has been creating architectural art since childhood, finding inspiration in the “personal relationship that people have with buildings.” He brings out the personality of architecture through:
- Black line art
- Vivid paint colors
- Wood painting
- Simplifying landscapes
He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Montevallo. You can find some of his art for sale at Vulcan Park and Museum and the Birmingham Museum of Art.
“Birmingham is personal to me, from proposing to my wife at the top of Vulcan statue, to concerts in Five Points South, to working downtown in the late 2000’s at the Daniel Building. The city’s daily contrasts of architecture and graffiti still shape how I see and create art.”
Eric Poland
Take a look at some of Poland’s other work on his website.
Candy Mayer
Candy Mayer has been a professional artist throughout her career, earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of South Dakota before settling in El Paso in 1999. She moved to Helena in 2023 and was captivated by the unique landscape of central Alabama.
“When I moved to Birmingham three years ago from El Paso, I was inspired by a landscape that was so different from the Southwest. I love the hills and valleys, the rivers and streams, the trees…all that beautiful green! I discovered a new city with unique architecture just ready to be captured in pen & ink!”
Candy Mayer
Her mixed media works include pastels, acrylic, pen, ink and collages. She brings inspiration from her time in the Southwest, often creating work in the style of Mexican folk art.
Check out more of Mayer’s art on her website.
Steve Dunlap
Steve Dunlap has more than 25 years of experience with drone photography and videography and works with clients that include:
- Apple TV
- 48 Hours
- House Hunters
- ESPN
- Alabama Power
- O’Neal Steel
- Regions Bank
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham
- The Birmingham Convention and Visitors Center
His fine art photography, however, highlights “the beauty and complexity of Birmingham’s historic buildings, iconic statues and open spaces.”
“Since I shoot my photographs with I drone, I’m able to capture images of the city that are only visible from the air. I love sharing the hidden beauty of Birmingham’s architecture and statutes that people otherwise would never see.”
Steve Dunlap
See Dunlap’s wide variety of art on his business’ website.
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