Text by Michael Dumas
Story originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of Mobile Bay Magazine.

In the heart of Mobile, a vibrant tapestry of art and commerce weaves a story of innovation, community and growth. We see it in the colorful murals adorning our historic districts, on the elaborately designed floats each Mardi Gras, on a stage in the park as young actors showcase their talent and on the notes that linger in the air as lively musicians bring our downtown streets to life.

Mobile’s art scene is more than a reflection of our history and identity; it’s a catalyst for economic growth. Local businesses thrive on the creative energy that the arts inject into our community, attracting tourists, inspiring entrepreneurs and fostering a sense of pride among residents.

“It’s about quality of life and a warm sense of place for everyone who calls Mobile home,” said Mobile Chamber President and CEO Bradley Byrne. “The arts make our city a more dynamic and prosperous place to live and work, an investment in a brighter future for all of us.”

LoDa ArtWalk

One of the most captivating displays of art in Mobile unfolds on the downtown streets on the second Friday of each month during LoDa ArtWalk. As temperatures cool, thousands will attend fall ArtWalks, giving a variety of artists valuable exposure, and attracting visitors and residents to businesses throughout downtown. ArtWalk is organized by the Mobile Arts Council (MAC) in partnership with the City of Mobile’s Parks and Recreation Department. The monthly event features vendors and street performers as restaurants, galleries and retail shops open their doors to offer unique deals and libations.

Any trip to ArtWalk should include a stop by the Sophiella Gallery on Bienville Square. This local gallery has made a name for itself, not only curating evocative collections of fine art, but in welcoming emerging artists and patrons to the renaissance underway in downtown Mobile.

Mobile Arts Council

Being a hub of artists, the Mobile Arts Council has numerous opportunities for members. Those include gallery exhibitions, competitions and educational programs, such as Amp Up Arts, a statewide initiative meant to facilitate access to the arts for all Alabama students through art education partnerships.

In September, the Mobile Arts Council’s gallery on Joachim Street will feature two exhibitions: one showcasing the works of members of the Plein Air South group, with a theme focusing on the Mobile waterfront; and a second exhibit of art created during the Arts Council’s Throwdown fundraiser competitions.

“Exhibitions are a great opportunity for artists to not only have their work shown in a professional setting but to connect them with hundreds of patrons,” said Sydney Cramer, the Arts Council’s program and advocacy manager.

Visibility is key and is where commission opportunities come in. Two of the more public of those are the Mobile Arts Council’s Utility Box Art program, which pays artists to beautify downtown utility boxes, and the murals of Mobile, which have transformed the city center with dozens of massive public art installations in diverse styles.

Busker Program

Creative collaboration has been a hallmark of Mobile’s culture for decades. And new opportunities are being created every day, such as a new busker program sponsored by the Downtown Mobile Alliance (DMA) and Visit Mobile.

On weekends especially, musicians can be heard performing in doorways and street-side, often only asking for gratuity in exchange for the experience. The busker program is meant to provide additional compensation to those performing and curate the experience.

“The Downtown Mobile Alliance and other partners focus on keeping things clean, safe and beautiful, and a way to level up is through art and music, which is why we like this program,” said David Clark, president and CEO of Visit Mobile. “Plus, we want to provide diverse opportunities for people to get recognized, to let everyone have a crack at this for their visibility.

“We’re trying to create opportunity for people and happiness on Dauphin Street, which will then progress and continue to make it feel better all the time.”

With a goal of starting the program this fall, the busker program will book musicians to perform within a few blocks of each other along Dauphin Street downtown, Wednesday through Saturday each week. Acts can vie for inclusion through an application process handled by the Alliance.

“By supporting this music, we can curate this experience,” said Fred Rendfrey, interim president and CEO of the Downtown Mobile Alliance. “It’s going to help the musicians, the restaurants, the residents, the tourists and the business owners. There’s just a lot of wins here.”

Beauty on Display

One way the business community can nurture artistic talent while enriching the local arts scene is by offering up unused wall space for artists to showcase their work and find potential patrons. Serda’s Coffee Company is doing this well, offering artists a chance to connect with the greater community.

“It’s a make-or-break deal for an artist,” said painter Rianna Freeman Turner. “Sure, there’s social media and things like that, but if you don’t have somebody else showing your art, and other people seeing your art, you can’t really go anywhere.”

By fostering a healthy art community, we ensure that Mobile remains not only a place of economic opportunity but also a vibrant city where creativity and commerce thrive hand in hand.