Alabama Black Belt Heritage Area

10/15/2026

Thank you Alabama Main Street for all you do for our Black Belt Designated and Networking Communities and for being a great partner for our region.

09/30/2026

Congratulations to all awardees!

JUST ANNOUNCED: The Alabama State Council on the Arts is awarding over $3.9 million in grants to 201 nonprofit organizations, schools, and universities.

From theatre productions, festivals, and concert series to administrative support, exhibitions, and after-school arts programs, these grants assist organizations that bring arts experiences to communities across the state.

Congrats to all the grant recipients! View the announcement here: https://media.alabama.gov/pr/pr.aspx?id=16804

09/30/2026

Last week, we celebrated Sulynn Creswell, Director of Black Belt Treasures Cultural Art Center, as she entered a new chapter - retirement. For 20 years, she has poured her heart and soul into Alabama’s Black Belt and its artists. She has guided more than 700 artists into the marketplace, and welcomed visitors from around the world and across the nation to Camden, Alabama. We thank her for her leadership, partnership and friendship; and her continued support of all things Black Belt.

07/31/2026

Learn about all the amazing birds of the Black Belt. Experience the natural beauty, visit with amazing people and take home unique art to keep the priceless memories alive!

The 2926 Black Belt Birding Festival in Greensboro, Alabama, promises to be an event you do not want to miss!

An upcoming show may be good for bird watchers, but not for neighborhood bugs. The annual black belt birding festival starts tomorrow, and that includes mowing day at the Joe Family Farm. Tractors stir up the hay, and that sends insects into the air. The goal is to attract birds like scissor-tailed....

07/08/2026

Celebrate National Moth Week by joining the Moth-Spotting Adventure at UWA Cahaba Biodiversity Center on July 24.

Register using the link below:
https://forms.gle/Efc5883hYeRUL44c9

Join us for our 2nd Annual Moth Blitz at the UWA Cahaba Biodiversity Center as we celebrate National Moth Week!

This public event is open to anyone interested in exploring the amazing diversity of moths and other nighttime wildlife.

Register here: https://forms.gle/Efc5883hYeRUL44c9

Help us spread the word!

06/29/2026

Did you know Alabama is home to one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America?

The June issue of National Geographic shines a national spotlight not only on the Cahaba River, calling it the "Fishiest River" in America, but also Brian Keener, director of the University of West Alabama’s Cahaba Biodiversity Center, who calls the river “an absolute global biodiversity hot spot.”

Click on the link and scroll down to the "Fishiest River" to read this fascinating story about one of Alabama's greatest ecological wonders.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/wonders-america-250-united-states

[Illustration by Madison Mayfield, for National Geographic]

04/30/2026

MOBILE! Join us this SAT, MAY 2 for a FREE YOUTH DRUMMING WORKSHOP! Geared toward youth but all ages welcome, participants will make and play their own drums, led by Wayne Curtis (Africatown Drummers) and LaDarrel Bell (Excelsior Band 1883). Hosted by Mobile Arts Council and Amp Up Arts at Spring Hill College!

RSVP: https://form.jotform.com/260844109130045

04/22/2026

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make the Sucarnochee Folklife Festival such a success!

Thank you to all who attended and celebrated with us, to our generous sponsors for your support, and to our amazing vendors and talented artists who brought the festival to life with your creativity, food, music, and craftsmanship.

Because of you, this cherished tradition continues to thrive and showcase the heart, culture, and pride of our community.

📸 If you took photos at the event, we’d love to see them, so share your pictures in the comments!

We appreciate each and every one of you and we can’t wait to see you next year! 🎉

Sponsors:
Black Belt Community Foundation, University Charter School, Sumter County Alabama Chamber of Commerce, City of Livingston- Lston,AL, Sumter County Commission, and UWA.

04/16/2026

04/10/2026

Great opportunity to learn from a master craftsman!

NEXT WEEK! Join us in AUBURN, DADEVILLE, SHORTER, and TALLASSEE for a FREE Native flutemaking workshop with Blue Bear Flutes! Registration required: alabamafolklife.org/residence

Big thanks to Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities at Pebble Hill, Dadeville Public Library, Town of Shorter, and Tallassee Community Library for hosting!