Pop-Up Arts Classes

2026 SCHEDULE

All 2026 Pop-Up Classes are free / donation based

Julie Carpenter

Saturday, May 16 - Embossed decorations made from recycled aluminum cans - B’ham Folk Fest - Avondale Park Rose Garden - 11am to 3pm - 4101 5th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222

Darlena King and Molly Flynn

Friday, June 19 - Basic hand sewing & appliqué with D. King and Felt bookmarks with M. Flynn - One Kingston Juneteenth Celebration - Stockham Park - 12pm to 6pm - 4221 8th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35212 There will be a memorial altar box workshop too!

Wilhelmina Thomas

Saturday, September 12 - Burlap & paper story squares - ArtWalk Kids Area - 11am - 3pm - Behind Forstall Art Center (215 20th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203)

Two more classes to be announced soon!

Pop-Up Arts Classes - Inspired by a Legacy, a Building Block for Future Arts Education

Bare Hands Pop-Ups are inspired by our beloved Art Club at the YWCA of Central Alabama, which ran from 2010 until the pandemic.

What Inspired Us -

  • Art Club at the YWCA served children facing homelessness. It was a summer series of hands-on arts experiences led by local working artists.

  • The teaching artists worked as mentors, sharing creative skills and encouraging confidence and creative expression.

  • The children were seen, not only as students, but as collaborators and protégés.

What We Did in 2024 -

  • Revived our Art Club education model with a short series of Pop-Up Arts Classes.

  • Employed local working artists to lead each class.

  • Charged a modest fee to participate.

  • Saw strong engagement and joyful creativity!

Our Vision for 2025 -

  • Increase the number of Pop-Up offerings.

  • Include more artists and more art forms.

  • Pop-up in more neighborhoods.

  • Transition to free or sliding scale to remove financial barriers.

Bare Hands Pop-Up Art Series. More Art. More Access. More JOY.