Magic City Art Connection
The Magic City Art Connection (MCAC) is a juried outdoor art show and festival that has been held annually at Linn Park since 1983, and currently the largest outdoor arts festival in the Southeast. The free event features local, regional and national artists as well as children's activities, performances, and special food events. The festival was founded and managed by Eileen Kunzman and is sponsored by Operation New Birmingham.
The festival has an outreach program with VSA Arts of Alabama, increasing awareness of their year-round arts programs for K-12 students. MCAC also parters with the Birmingham International Center to promote mutual understanding between cultures worldwide. The partnership has brought puppeteers from Plzen, Czech Republic and other international performers to the festival.
2008
The 2008 event was held April 25-27 with 225 juried artists. The festival jurors were Shana Berger and Nathan Purath. The installation artist was Pinky Bass and the "emerging artist" was Walton Creel. The 11th annual Corks & Chefs event featured members of the Birmingham Originals restaurant coalition. In concert with the Birmingham International Festival's Spotlight on Israel and Jordan, a workshop incorporating Israeli folk dance was part of the festival, and the MCAC sponsored a screening of Girls From Brazil at WorkPlay.
2007
The 2007 event was held April 27-29 with 225 juried artists. The festival juror was Ron Platt. The installation artist was Randy Gachet and the "emerging artist" was John Fields of New Orleans, Louisiana. The 10th annual Corks & Chefs event featured 16 restaurants. In concert with the Birmingham International Festival's Spotlight on the Czech Republic, works from the International Biennial of Drawing in Plzen were exhibited and the Alfa Theatre puppet troupe from Plzen performed during the festival. The weekend's weather was perfect.
2006
The 2006 event was held April 28-30. 225 artists participated. The "Corks & Chefs" food tent returned, along with the children's "Imagination Festival". The festival juror was Rick Lowe from Houston. The year's featured "emerging artist" was Clayton Colvin. The festival added a featured "installation artist" to the program, selecting Jim Neel to exhibit in 2006.
2005
The 2005 event was held April 22-24. Festival juror was Louise E. Shaw of Atlanta. The "Best of Show" award went to Les Slesnick. The featured "emerging artist" was Jane Timberlake. Other distinctions went to Spencer Shoults, Kem Alexander, Tom Turnbull, Ronnie Phillips, Sadie Wang, Antjuan Oden, and John & Breane Trest. Merit awards went to Debra Fritts, Jon Coffelt, Marie Weaver, Conner Burns, Julia Peerson, Susan Leslie Lumsden, Bethanne Hill, Kevin Irwin, Dan Bynum, Guadalupe Lanning Robinson, William Kwamena-Poh, and Aimee Elizabeth Simonton.
2004
Art Papers editor Jerry Cullum served as festival juror. Jon Coffelt was the 2004 "Distinguished Artist". The featured "emerging artist" was Annie Kammerer Butrus.
2003
Printmaker Scott Stephens served as festival juror.
2002
UAB Visual Arts Gallery curator Brett Levine served as festival juror. Frank Fleming was the distinguished artist.
2001
Gallery owner Lorenzo Pace served as festival juror.
2000
Russell and Paula Panczenko served as festival jurors.
1999
Master printer Joseph M. Segura and gallery owner Lissa Sette served as festival jurors.
1998
Gallery owner Max Protetch served as festival juror.
1997
John Wetenhall and artist "Gronk" served as festival juror.
1996
Peter Boswell served as festival juror. Lonnie Holley was the 1996 "Distinguished Artist".
1995
Kim Abeles served as festival juror.
1994
John T. Scott and David Gilhooly served as festival jurors.
1993
Trent Whitington and Gianfranco Mantegna served as festival jurors.
1992
Mel Edwards and Helen C. Frederick served as festival jurors.
1991
Jo Tartt and Jerry Beck served as festival jurors.
1990
Jo Hanson and Stephen Flinn Young served as festival jurors.
1989
Cam Newell served as festival juror.
1988
Fay Gold and Michael Lucero served as festival jurors. Edith Frohock was the distinguished artist.
1987
Tom Butler and Vicki Kopf served as festival jurors.
1986
Jane Kessler and Hollis Sigler served as festival jurors.
1985
Harvey K. Littleton and Elaine Horwitch served as festival jurors.
1984
Ivan Karp and Paul Brach served as festival jurors.
External links
- Magic City Art Connection website