UAB Department of Art & Art History

08/31/2026

NextGen HS Senior College Readiness Workshop Inspires Future Arts Students

This past Saturday, ArtPlay was proud to host the ArtPlay NextGen: Visual Arts Portfolia & Theatre Audition Symposium for High School Seniors, presented in partnership with the UAB Department of Art and Art History, UAB Department of Theatre, and AEIVA (Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts).

The workshop provided a supportive space for three aspiring artists, two visual art students and one theatre student, to connect directly with UAB faculty and staff as they prepare for the next step in their educational journeys. Participants explored college application requirements, discussed portfolio and audition expectations, asked important questions about pursuing arts degrees, and gained valuable insight into navigating the college search process.

More importantly, students left with something that can be hard to find during senior year: confidence. Through meaningful conversations and personalized guidance, faculty and staff helped relieve some of the stress that often accompanies college applications while encouraging students to embrace the many pathways available to them in the arts.

One participant shared:

"Your circle questions were encouraging and helped me better understand that there really is more than one pathway to and through college when majoring in the arts."

Experiences like these are at the heart of ArtPlay NextGen’s mission to empower young artists with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to pursue their creative futures. We are grateful to our partners at the UAB Department of Art and Art History, UAB Department of Theatre, and AEIVA for sharing their expertise and helping students take this important next step with greater clarity and confidence.

08/27/2026

Repost from UAB College of Arts & Sciences
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It’s time for the fall semester’s CAS Open House! Beginning next week, departments across CAS will host a variety of events where you can meet classmates, connect with professors, explore academic programs, and more. Swipe to see a few of the events planned throughout the week, and be sure to follow your department’s social media channels for more.

And don’t miss the CAS T-shirt giveaway on Monday, August 31, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Heritage Hall lobby! We hope to see you there.👕💚💛

08/24/2026

Welcome back, fam!! 🎨🖌️🖼️ We’re so excited for everything this fall semester has in store. Get ready for exhibitions and lectures featuring well-established artists and scholars, opportunities for students to showcase their work, and plenty of chances to build friendships, share feedback, and create community. We can’t wait to see all of you grow, experiment, and develop as artists and art historians this semester. Let’s make it a good one! ✨✨

08/21/2026

Classes start Monday and we’re so excited to see you all back on campus!
As part of Blazer Welcome and CAS Open House, the department of Art and Art history is hosting a week of open office/classroom hours and a Welcome Back Pizza Party. Are you interested in our program (or are already in our program) but have questions? Come by and connect with our faculty to learn more about our department, explore the diverse programs and areas of study we offer, and discover the exciting opportunities available to help you grow as an artist. A list of open office hours is provided in the link in bio, and the pizza party will be Sept 3, 12-2p at the 501 Building. 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕

08/12/2026

08/06/2026

UAB’s Department of Art and Art History is heartbroken to share the passing of Professor Doug Barrett.

Doug was a beloved member of our university community whose distinguished career was defined by extraordinary teaching, creative scholarship, and an enduring passion for the arts. Over the course of his many years at UAB, he profoundly shaped the department through his vision, generosity, and unwavering commitment to his students and colleagues. His influence will continue to be felt for generations.

It would be impossible to fully capture all the ways Doug transformed the Department of Art and Art History. He founded Bloom Studio, introduced Risography to the department, and developed the Graphic Design and Digital Media concentration, creating opportunities that continue to enrich our students’ education. His mentorship inspired countless students, many of whom earned ADDY Awards or went on to have successful careers as designers, artists, and creative leaders. Through every project, classroom, and conversation, Doug fostered creativity, curiosity, and a deep sense of community within the DAAH family.

Above all else, Doug was deeply loved. He was cherished by his family, friends, students, colleagues, alumni, and the greater Birmingham community. He brought thoughtfulness, kindness, humor, and joy to every space he entered, leaving a lasting mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him. While his loss will be felt profoundly, his legacy will live on through the work he created, the community he helped build, and the countless lives he inspired.

We extend our deepest condolences to Doug’s family and to all who are mourning his passing. He will be missed beyond measure and remembered with great gratitude, admiration, and love.

08/05/2026

Repost from UAB College of Arts & Sciences
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This past spring semester, students in the Advanced Graphic Design class toured local marketing agencies and presented their portfolios to industry designers, gaining real-world insights, professional feedback, and meaningful connections to help turn classroom learning into career readiness.

08/05/2026

Repost from Lenscratch Photography Daily
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Jillian M. Browning (Jillian) is our Educator of the Month, presented by editor Elizabeth Stone (Elizabeth Stone).

Working across self-portraiture and cyanotype, Browning connects personal history with family, plants, and place to explore what it means to belong. She is an Assistant Professor of Photography at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB - The University of Alabama at Birmingham | UAB Dept. of Art & Art History).

The artist shares: “My work explores identity, memory, and the ways the places we call home continue to shape us. Growing up in rural Central Florida and now living in Alabama, I am deeply influenced by the Southern landscape and the histories it holds. As a Black artist, I see the landscape as a living archive shaped by generations of Black labor, family, and resilience, and I use my work to explore my own relationship to that inheritance.”

🔗 Read the full interview at www.lenscratch.com

08/05/2026

ArtPlay, AEIVA, UAB Department of Theatre, and UAB Department of Art & Art History Present

ArtPlay NextGen:
Visual Arts Portfolio and Theatre Audition Symposium for High School Seniors

Sat, Aug 29 10:00 am - 1:30 pm

High school seniors preparing for college in the visual arts or theatre performance are invited to join us for ArtPlay NextGen, a hands-on symposium featuring expert feedback, networking opportunities, and practical resources.

ArtPlay NextGen is designed to empower emerging artists with expert feedback, networking opportunities, and actionable resources to help them thrive in college auditions and portfolio reviews. This symposium is a supportive space for growth, creativity, and connection.

During this 3.5 hour experience, students will rotate through portfolio or audition review stations led by college faculty, professional artists, and industry specialists. The day also includes a networking lunch, opportunities to meet peers and mentors, and a closing reflection designed to boost confidence and celebrate progress.

Participants will leave with:
- Personalized feedback on their work
- Insight into what colleges look for
- New connections with artists, educators, and fellow students
- A resource packet with audition tips, portfolio guidelines, and scholarship info

Capacity is limited to ensure individualized attention—advance registration is required.

Registration Close Date: August 25, 2026

MORE INFO: https://www.alysstephens.org/events/artplay-nextgen/

UAB's ArtPlay, , , , ,

06/09/2026

Repost from
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𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐲𝐮 𝐋𝐞𝐞

Born in South Korea and based in the United States, Lee is a multimedia artist whose practice centers on vessel and furniture making through ceramics and wood. Drawing from both Korean and American craft traditions, his work explores the relationship between function, movement, and human experience through meticulously crafted objects.

Lee investigates the foundational structures that shape our physical and metaphysical realities. Working primarily in hardwood, he transforms rigid materials into fluid, expressive forms that embody gesture, motion, and emotion. Through furniture and sculptural objects, he examines the ways the body communicates instinct, desire, and connection.

🖼 Instinct
📍 Mindy Solomon Gallery, Miami
📍 848 NW 22nd Street, Miami, FL 33127
📅 June 6 – July 18, 2026

In Instinct, Lee presents a collection of functional and non-functional works that blur the boundaries between design and sculpture. Centered on themes of movement and human expression, the exhibition explores how gesture, form, and craftsmanship can reveal the invisible systems that shape our understanding of the world. A highlight of the exhibition is the artist’s handmade Butterfly Violin, an extension of his ongoing investigation into the relationship between the body, motion, sound, and emotion. .edu