Joe Minter Is Here
“Joe Minter Is Here” is a community-based art installation of never-before-exhibited work by the visionary artist and ambassador for peace, Joe Minter (b. 1943).
For decades, people have traveled from around the world to visit his sacred art environment, The African Village in America, where he has used discarded materials to chronicle the Black experience. Today, his work can be found in the most prestigious collections in the country, from The Metropolitan Museum of Art to The National Gallery, but this will be his first solo show in his hometown.
Located inside a historic warehouse in his Birmingham community, this immersive exhibit will be a landmark moment to celebrate Joe Minter, introduce his story to new generations, and highlight the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
Produced by 1504. Presented by Create Birmingham. In partnership with Navigate Affordable Housing Partners.
“I personally am invested in the preservation, not just because he is an extraordinary artist, but because I think [Minter] has something to say to us as we confront all kinds of human crises, whether it's war, or climate disaster, or injustice, or incarceration, or all the ways in which human beings suffer. The work must be preserved because it has something to teach us about how to be in relation to one another.”
-Imani Perry, PhD, 2023 MacArthur Fellow and Birmingham native
Plan Your Visit
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Free and open to the public
October 3rd-20th
Thursday-Saturday: 10:00am-6:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm-5:00pm -
The Marc Steel Building is a historic warehouse in Birmingham’s Titusville community developed in the late 1800’s as a steel foundry and manufacturing center to make train wheels.
Address
600 6th Ave South
Birmingham, AL 35233Free parking is available on-site.
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Opening Night Celebration
Thursday, October 3 | 5:30 – 7:00 pmGather to celebrate the artist, Joe Minter, in his first local exhibition, featuring Imani Perry and a special performance by Lonnie Holley.
The opening day of the exhibition will culminate with a long-overdue gathering to honor Joe Minter among civic leaders, artists, friends, and special guests. While free to attend, the opening ceremony has limited capacity, and program attendees must reserve tickets.
“Titusville is Here” Community Day
Saturday, October 12th | 11:00 am – 3:00 pmThis community celebration will feature activities for children and families, self-guided tours of the exhibit, and free food provided by Travis Chicago Style food truck. No need to register; just show up! You can see more about this event HERE.
Joe Minter Cultural Heritage Panel
Friday, October 18 | 6:00 – 7:00 pm
REGISTER HEREGather for an in-depth, national conversation on the opportunities and challenges for preserving the work of artists like Joe Minter.
The closing weekend of the exhibition will feature a panel discussion open to the general public in conjunction with the biennial symposium of the Association of Historians of American Art (AHAA).
The symposium will attract scholars from around the country for presentations at the Birmingham Museum of Art and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. On Friday afternoon, a special site-specific panel will take place at the historic Marc Steel warehouse, hosting the “Joe Minter is Here” exhibit.
The session is titled: “Joe Minter’s African Village in America and the Paths for the Preservation of Art Environments.” Moderated by Jade Powers (Birmingham Museum of Art), the conversation will feature Katherine Jentleson (High Museum of Art), LaStarsha McGarity (Tuskegee University), and Laura Bickford (Kohler Arts Center).
At a moment when much of Joe Minter’s art environment and personal collection face uncertain futures and environmental decay, this conversation has an urgent backdrop for one of Birmingham’s and the country’s cultural treasures.
While free to attend, the panel has limited capacity, and program attendees must reserve tickets.
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“As long as you can put one foot in front of the other, never stop learning.” – Joe Minter
Create Birmingham will offer FREE guided and self-guided tours of the exhibition for youth and adults. The tours, which focus on art education, are open to organizations and schools and meet Alabama’s Visual Arts Standards for 4th—12th grade.
Please note that tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance, and we ask for 24 hours’ notice for any cancellations. For questions or assistance with scheduling, please contact Glenny Brock at education@createbirmingham.org.
Field Trips are available Friday October 4, October 11, and October 18th between 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.
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"Joe Minter is Here" is made possible by generous supporters, including:
The National Endowment for the Arts
Alabama Humanities Alliance
SouthArts
Carole E. Clarke, Birmingham City District 8 Councilor
Jefferson County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Regions Foundation
Joseph S. Bruno Charitable Foundation
Alabama State Council on the Arts
The Kelly Hotel
Birmingham Museum of Art
