Walls of Hope I

Several weeks ago, someof our downtown areas were defaced during the protests. Businesses were forced to board up their windows. Since then, the arts community has risen to the occasion to paint positive messages and images everywhere! For the next several days, I will post collages so that you may feel the love and the positivity as well. Lemonade from lemons, indeed!

Finally

Finally, this last weekend I was able to view the former Empire Building/Elyton Hotel  from the rooftop Moonshine Bar. For years I have shot this iconic Birmingham building from the street. Sunday I was able to get a terrific shot.

Quiet Corner Downtown

The courtyard of the Cathedral Church of the Advent is a peaceful oasis in the midst of downtown Birmingham. 

Men At Work

Yesterday I had got back down to the Pizitz Building. Things are coming along rapidly. The Food Hall is getting ready as well as the outside seating area shown here. The apartments, one and two bedroom rentals,  are fast filling up so if you're interested, I'd go have a look.  This is going to be a big downtown destination. More photos to come!

Aliens????

A recent trip downtown to Regions. This is the alien inspired shot of their parking lot!

A Vision For Downtown Birmingham

Meet Tom Walker, Bayer Property's Project Manager for the soon to be completed renovation of the historic Pizitz Building. Tom has become my new best friend. Since last February, he has cheerfully and patiently walked me all over that building, floor by floor, by floor,  as I photographed the old before it becomes new again. We both laugh now when as I leave, I always say something like, "Tom, I'm sure I have enough photos, and this will be my last trip." Well, we've played that game 6 times so far, and who knows, I might sweet talk my way inside one more time. A huge thank you to Tom, Bayer Properties and Brasfield & Gorrie for allowing me to document the past history of this over 100 year old treasure in downtown Birmingham.

Urban Steeples

The beautiful First Presbyterian Church in downtown Birmingham. I love it's classic design and the fact that this is a very caring congregation that is a vital part of our downtown community doing such wonderful outreach.

First Presbyterian Church

2100 4th Avenue North

Birmingham AL 

Vulcan Meets Warhol

Great way to jazz up a private parking lot on 19th Street North in downtown Birmingham.

Winter Day on 20th

Double the Excitement

Taking in the grand reopening of the historic Lyric Theatre on Thursday evening from their grandmother's opera box. They traveled all the way from Denver to share it with their grandparents and family. A great night for our city!

Alley Art

You just never know what you'll find when you take a shortcut down Birmingham alley!

City Sunset

My talented artist friend Kevin Irwin's studio looks north towards downtown Birmingham. I liked the reflection of her studio in the window.

Today I again join James' Weekend Reflections right HERE. 

Sunday Church Series - First Pres

Birmingham's First Presbyterian Church , since 1872, has been a welcoming place of worship in downtown Birmingham. I am honored to be exhibiting some of my work in their art gallery, the month of July.

Historic Birmingham

The Iron Age Building built in 1886 is just one of the last two buildings with a cast iron façade left  in our city. Located on 20th Street North, I've had a fascination with the cast iron columns for  along time. I'm more than a little sad that they have painted these wonderful rusting columns with a coat of white paint, since this was taken. Progress?

Cast Iron Building

212 20th Street North

The Good Old Days

Sadly they don't make libraries like this anymore. The former Birmingham Library downtown, the Linn Henley Research Library is still a beautiful place with lovely painted detailing and stunning murals. I was down there a few weeks ago for a meeting and it brought back memories of meeting high school friends there to "study"many years ago.

Sharing The Love

Spotted outside Charm, one of my favorite places to shop downtown!

Inside the Florentine

 

The second floor of the historic Florentine Building was deserted for far too long. The new renovation seems to have preserved the architectural details over the windows and the lovely features coming down the stairs. This space will become an event venue for the city and brings to life another Birmingham treasure. 

Urban Shadows

I was killing time near the 24th Street viaduct last week waiting for a friend, and decided to take a walk up. There you go, some nice shadows just waiting on me.

Meet Us Under The Clock

 

If you grew up in my era, the 60's, under the clock at Loveman's department store was a meeting place on  Saturdays for lunch and a movie. Built in 1890, thanfully it still stands in downtown Birmingham as a part of the McWane Science Center. Grateful it's still part of Birmingham life.

Making Tracks

Downtown Birmingham viaduct