Sunday, June 12, 2011

Alabama Arts Radio Podcast, Guitar Maker James Burkett and Cigar-Box Guitar Maker Warren Shirley

To highlight this Year of Alabama Music, the Alabama Artist Gallery features an exhibit called, Music Makers: A Celebration for the Year of Alabama Music (pdf of exhibit program). Included in the exhibit are various musical instruments made by Alabamians. Two craftsmen featured in this program are James Burkett, a guitar maker from Dothan andWarren Shirley a cigar-box guitarmaker from Davenport. Both describe the process of making their instruments.

MP3

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Alabama Arts Radio Podcast, Self-Taught Artist Robena Perry

To highlight this Year of Alabama Music, the Alabama Artist Gallery featured the exhibit, Music Makers: A Celebration for the Year of Alabama Music (pdf of exhibit program)..In this radio program, Visual Arts Program Manager and Gallery Director Georgine Clarke interviews self-taught artist Robena Perry.  Perry has contributed her unusual sculpture "The World's Smallest Band" made of over a hundred Barbie, Ken, G. I. Joe, and other similar dolls that serves as a centerpiece for the exhibit.  Robena talks about her ideas behind the making of "The World's Smallest Band" and other smaller vignettes that she calls rooms.

Alabama Arts Radio Podcast, Flute Maker and Musician Michael Graham Allen

Alabama Center for Traditional Culture Director Joey Brackner interviews musician and flute maker Michael Graham Allen of Walker County.  Allen constructs wooden flutes inspired by American Indian designs.  He also decorates the instruments based on historic Indian pottery designs.  Photos of his flutes as well as his music CDs can be found at:coyoteoldman.com.