The bright colors (a good-natured nod to the artist’s red/green colorblindness), satirical juxtapositions and sharp sense of humor all make Paul Cordes Wilm’s “Folk-Pop” artwork nearly iconic in the Magic City. Equally influenced by Andy Warhol and Mose T, Wilm’s paintings and designs are featured during Art Walk and Birmingham Art Crawl. Step into a number of local businesses and Wilm’s whimsical characters are waiting to greet you as they are at Naked Art Gallery, Rojo, Schaffer Eye Center, and, most recently, Birmingham’s new music venue, Saturn, and on WBHM’s fund drive pint glasses.
“People in general are trying to reinvent themselves and reinvent Birmingham,” said Wilm in an interview.
His theme of reinvention reverberates in Hysterical Ruminations, his latest collection of work, on display at Trim Tab Brewing Company beginning Thursday, April 30.
The artist gets experimental with his new paintings. Wilm plays with “the Folk side of the ‘Folk-Pop’ genre!” His signature business suit animals reappear in Hysterical Ruminations, although the style retains the eerie charm of traditional Southern folk artists.
During the opening reception guests will be able to participate in Wilm’s coloring book paintings and taste Trim Tab’s selection of beers.
The opening reception for Hysterical Ruminations will be held at Trim Tab Brewing Company, 2721 Fifth Ave S, from 6 to 10 p.m. For more information, visit Paul Cordes Wilm on Facebook.
FRIDAY, MAY 1
The Sacred and the Mundane Opening — The Future East Lake Performing Arts Center. 7604 First Ave. N. The Sacred and the Mundane: Transforming the Worldly Discarded into Art of the Supernatural is an art exhibit of found-object collage and assemblage, inspired by Hopi Indian kachina dolls, masks and costumes by local artist-historian Craig Legg. The opening is BYOB and will include performances by Anastasia Stacy Keenan, Charles Tortorici and others. 5–8 p.m. Free. The exhibit will be open Saturdays 10 a.m.–3 p.m., or by appointment through May 31. For more information, call (205) 410-7702.
SATURDAY, MAY 2
Spray Painting Demo — Forstall Art Center. 402 Palisades Blvd., Homewood. Graphic artist Shane B will demonstrate graffiti and street art: the basics of letter structure and flow, proper paint application, and fades and tricks. The New Orleans native’s art can be seen at El Barrio in Downtown Birmingham and in major cities around the world. 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Free. For more information, visit forstallartcenter.com.
TUESDAY, MAY 5
Negotiated Identities/Saints and Tears — Space One Eleven. 2407 Second Ave. N. Space One Eleven is hosting an “art exchange” between artists from the South and artists from Romania. Historical artifacts from both countries are used in a variety of media to represent the individual among cultural traditions from communism to authoritarianism, from religion to contemporary American and Romanian societies. Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Through May 22. Free. For more information, visit spaceoneeleven.org. See the full story in this week’s Weld.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
Thank You For Buying a Poster Closing Reception — PaperWorkers Local. 3815 Clairmont Ave. S. The closing reception for nationally recognized printmaker Amos Kennedy will be held at PaperWorkers Local. Kennedy’s work is inspired by African-American culture and history. His letterpress prints confront the viewer with quotations, names and opinions from the Civil Rights era through present. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. For more information, visit PaperWorkers Local on Facebook. A full-length documentary about Kennedy is available at proceedandbebold.com.
ONGOING
Aldridge Gardens En Plein Air — Aldridge Gardens. 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover. En plein air translates from the French to “open air” and refers to painting or drawing outdoors in the open air. Last May, 10 local artists, including Amy Collins, Diane Newsome and Amy R. Peterson, created pieces depicting Aldridge Gardens en plein air. Their artwork will be on display in the Eddie and Kay Aldridge Arts & Historical Collections Museum through June 8. Open daily, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. For more information, visit aldridgegardens.com.
Inherited Scars: A Meditation on the Southern Gothic — Birmingham Museum of Art. 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd. Curated by University of Alabama at Birmingham students, this photography exhibit explores the complex history of the South through fine art representations and documented photography. Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday 12–5 p.m. Free. For more information, visit artsbma.org.
UPCOMING
THURSDAY, MAY 7
Triumph Open House and Art Show — Triumph Services Headquarters. 1025 23rd St. S. Triumph Services will host a “Friendraiser” art show and open house. The family-friendly event will feature a sale of local art, live music, and free wine and hors d’oeuvres. Proceeds from the fundraiser support Triumph, a nonprofit that provides services for adults in need of financial assistance and group support as they work toward independent living and gainful employment. 5:30–8 p.m. Free. For more information, visit triumphservices.org.
Birmingham Art Crawl — Downtown Birmingham. “Art Crawl de Mayo,” will continue Birmingham’s monthly Art Crawl tradition. Attendees can meet local artists and vendors while viewing and supporting their work. Venues across downtown Birmingham include galleries, restaurants and bars and downtown businesses throughout the historic, loft, business, arts and theatre districts. 5–9 p.m. Free. For more information, visit birminghamartcrawl.com.