The City of Birmingham honored artist and community historian Joe Minter for his decades of creativity and activism.
City celebrates Minter’s legacy
During the annual AWAKEN event at the Birmingham Museum of Art, the city recognized Minter’s impact on art and social justice. Held each year during Magic City Classic Week, the event highlights local changemakers who use creativity and service to advance progress.
This year’s program included music, poetry, and a panel discussion on how art can serve as resistance. Panelists discussed the connection between art, access, and social responsibility. Minter also delivered brief remarks, stressing the importance of giving young people a voice in shaping their communities.
A global artist rooted in Birmingham
Minter’s work tells the story of African American history and the struggle for justice. His sculptures appear in major institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, and the National Gallery of Art.
In Birmingham, Minter created the African Village in America in 1989. The half-acre installation sits on his property and features sculptures made from found materials. It reflects themes of resilience, memory, and the African American experience.
Honored for truth and creativity
Mayor Randall L. Woodfin presented Minter with the Putting People First Award, made by Sloss Metal Arts. Woodfin called Minter “authentically Birmingham” and praised his ability to tell the city’s story with honesty and perseverance.
To close the ceremony, Minter invited a local teen to speak in his place. The gesture symbolized the passing of wisdom to the next generation and the ongoing power of art to inspire change.
Sign up for the Homely Birmingham newsletter to stay up to date on Birmingham.
