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F E B R UA RY 2 022 | TH E LO C A L LOV E I S S U E

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

We Heart the 'Ham

February 2022 PUBLISHER

Kali McNutt | kali.mcnutt@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Denise K. James | denise.james@citylifestyle.com

Back in 2018, when I first moved to Birmingham, I immediately fell in love with the city. As a coastal gal from Charleston, South Carolina, I'd never lived in a hilly place before — but what the Magic City lacked in salt water, it made up for in intrigue, at least to me. One best friend and countless life-affirming experiences later, I relocated again — but Birmingham remained near and dear to my heart. Imagine my delight when I became the editor of Birmingham Lifestyle! Finally, another chance to show one of my favorite places some love — and to share stories with you, dear reader, that hopefully inspire your life. February is our "local love" issue, and we've done our very best to showcase a few of the reasons we adore Birmingham, from talented artists (and a gallery that honors their work) to artisan foods and cocktails to dedicated makers and creatives. Whether you're single or happily coupled this month, we invite you to rekindle your relationship with the city – it's one we all have in common, and it will not disappoint. As I write this letter, I've just learned about the untimely passing of Matthew Smith, executive director for AlaQuest Collaborative for Education, valued community member and beloved friend. This loss, felt deeply throughout the city, serves as a close-to-home reminder that life is precious, and loving our neighbors is paramount. As you savor this issue, I invite you to take time and reflect on what — and who — you love in Birmingham. If you're anything like us, that list will go on. Yours,

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Birmingham Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Birmingham area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Birmingham Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

inside the issue The Local Love Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

14 Pining for a New Cocktail Bar?

Lifestyle Letter

Local Experiences

Happy Hour

Inspired By

Must See

Trend Setter

Juniper Brings Creative Twists to Beloved Classics

20 Sweet Dreams are Made of This Birmingham’s Chocolatá Raises the “Bar”

26 “The Space With the Yellow Chandelier” How Canary Gallery Honors Artists – and Inspires the Magic City

34 Tonia’s Top Picks

Designer and Creative Industry Advocate Tonia Trotter Price Supports Local this Valentine’s Day

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Sam Evans, Rhythm Creative “Diadji” sculpture by William Rushton; in background, “Summer Vacation” by Victor Bokas

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

local experiences Locals recommending the best places and things to do in the city.

Celebrate the ones you love this Valentine’s Day by treating them to a night out at one of your favorite restaurants, or experience something new and find a hidden gem around town. Whatever you are looking for, we have you covered.

Romantic Date Ideas SATUR DAY GALLER Y HOP: Start at VINEGAR in Forest Park, then head downtown to see Canary Gallery, Scott Miller Projects, maus contemporary, and Ground Floor Contemporary. Cap the day at UAB's AEIVA. (Note some galleries require appointments.) THE R ETR EAT DAY SPA: Couples Spa Day. Start with coffee and the "Bacon du Jour" at Alabama Biscuit Company, then make your way to The Retreat to be pampered. 3920 Crosshaven Dr Birmingham, AL GUNR UNNER BOUTIQUE HOTEL: Road-trip to Florence, Alabama. En route, visit Ave Maria Grotto and peruse the boutiques along 1st Ave in Cullman. Tour the Rosenbaum House and Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. Stay at the GunRunner. 310 E Tennessee St Florence, AL TASTING TBL: Reserve your spot at Tasting TBL for an experiential fine dining experience in an intimate home setting with Chefs Tyler and Jennifer Lyne. BLACK WAR R IOR R IVER KEEPER : Skip the mushy stuff and go show some love to a local nonprofit. Check out opportunities with Black Warrior Riverkeeper or the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. 712 37th St S Birmingham, AL

Installation view of Paul Kremer “Pink Pools” courtesy of the artist and Scott Miller Projects

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PINING FOR A NEW

Cocktail Bar? Juniper Brings Creative Twists to Beloved Classics

STAFFORD DRY INGREDIENTS 2 dash Regan’s Orange Bitters 0.25 ounces Lillet Blanc 0.5 ounces Dolin Dry 2 ounces oolong-infused gin

INSTRUCTIONS Ingredients are stirred, then strained into chilled Nick & Nora glass and given lemon twist garnish. To make oolong-infused gin, take 30 grams loose-leaf oolong tea and steep in gin at room temp for 20 minutes, then strain and bottle.

ARTICLE BY DENISE K. JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM EVANS, RHYTHM CREATIVE

H AP PY H OU R | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

BENGAL MERCHANT INGREDIENTS 2 dashes Xocolatl Mole Bitters .5 ounces orgeat .25 ounces matcha syrup 2 ounces Fords Gin

INSTRUCTIONS To make matcha syrup, whisk 5 grams of matcha, 200 grams of sugar and 200 grams hot water until sugar disolves. Cool to room temp. Store in fridge up to two weeks. To make orgeat, heat 200 grams of unsweetened almond milk, preferably toasted, to a simmer. Add 200 grams of sugar, 2 teaspoons salt and half teaspoon orange blossom water. Cool to room temp. Store in fridge up to two weeks. Ingredients are shaken, then single-strained into chilled coupe.

When Partners Ali Randall, Blake Posey and Alden Williams started brainstorming about an innovative cocktail bar to bring to the Magic City, it took finding the ideal business space for creativity to pique and “plant” the idea. Now, tucked into the beautiful historic neighborhood of Forest Park, we have Juniper, a gin-focused establishment that will, in the words of Ali, “offer both new cocktails as well as something you already love.” “Everyone knows gin & tonics, but we’re introducing new iterations,” noted Ali and Blake, who met during the pandemic in 2020. Ali, originally from Las Vegas, said she wanted to bring elements of the city’s “immersive experiences” to Birmingham and create a bar with “funky and whimsical aspects.” Visitors to Juniper enjoy leisurely sipping inside the English-inspired courtyard, lush with CONTINUED > FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B I R M I N G HA M

HIBISCUS PEGU CLUB (ZAGAWAR) INGREDIENTS 1 dash Regan’s Orange Bitters 1 dash Angostura Bitters 0.5 ounces lime 0.75 ounces Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao 2 oz Hibiscus-Infused Bombay Sapphire

INSTRUCTIONS To make hibiscus-infused gin, take 25 grams dried hibiscus and infuse into 750 milliliters of gin. Let steep at room temp for 2 hours, then strain and bottle. Ingredients are shaken, then double-strained into chilled coupe and given a dehydrated lime or mint garnish.

H AP PY H OU R | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

various botanicals. As a nod to the ambience, many of the cocktails on the customized menu explore teas, florals and “layers building on a gin base.” Food at Juniper is similarly creative, led by locally beloved Chef Thyme Randle, known as “Chef T.” Chef T crafts tantalizing options — including vegan dishes — and patrons can look forward to delicious dinner, snacks and desserts to pair with their libations, plus brunch on the weekends. “Chef T has been at Bottle and Bone and other local places, and his approach to food is creative and interesting,” Ali commented. “He makes these amazing chicken wings, for example, and he doesn’t rely on fat for flavor.” Yet another twist on a classic – and we’re here for it.

Juniper Co-Owner Ali Randall FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B I R M I N G HA M

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ARTICLE BY

Sweet Dreams

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are Made

BIRMINGHAM’S CHOCOLATÁ RAISES THE “BAR”

SAM EVANS

of This

When Kathy D’Agostino decided to make a bold career change in 2016, she thought back to a job from her teen years where she felt especially happy and inspired: working at a local chocolate shop in Jacksonville, Florida. A visual artist with experience in design and merchandising, Kathy felt drawn to test her creative energy in the world of candy-making and realized that Birmingham — where she had resided since 1994 — did not have a local chocolate shop. “Even though I hadn’t worked with chocolate in a long time, I felt like it was a good fit,” she said. The upscale chocolate boutique, aptly named Chocolatá, officially opened its doors in 2017. Kathy had experimented with pop-up shops, but then realized how much she desired a brickand-mortar location. So, with her natural eye for art and design, she found an unlikely spot in the heart of downtown — a “sad

I NSP IR E D BY | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

CONTINUED > FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B I R M I N G HA M

I NSP IR E D BY | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

little space with boarded-up windows” – and gave it the necessary love and attention to transform it into a candy-making paradise. “I love taking something and making it more beautiful,” she beamed. She admitted that she was unsure whether those same skills she’d gained as a 15-year-old girl would come back to her as an adult – but fortunately, she said, “the art of making chocolate is much like riding a bike.” “At the shop in Jacksonville, they taught me about tempering chocolate, making ganache, using molds and making shells,” she explained. “We did all the tempering by hand there. No machines, so I got skilled in the art of tempering chocolate. Of course, the world of chocolate has changed quite a bit. Now there is single-origin chocolate and bean-to-bar chocolate, and they, in my opinion, are better than what was available back then. It’s definitely evolved.” It’s true; walk into Chocolatá and you will see this evolution firsthand. With a modest staff of just Kathy and five part-time employees, both newly developed recipes and fan favorites – using nuts, fruits, sea salts and other delights – appear on the shop’s shelves, sure to please chocolate lovers of all ages and tastes. Kathy values her distributors who provide her with quality ingredients, as well as many local purveyors. A new treat known as the Lunar Landing, for example, is a textured bar crafted from white chocolate and accented with Bronnie’s Brittle of Birmingham. But if you’re shy about which sweet to select, you can always go with the Woodlands bar, which Kathy named their most popular – it’s a heavenly fusion of dark and milk chocolates blended in-house, plus pecans roasted with brown sugar and cayenne pepper. The bar is finished with a kiss of smoked sea salt. And speaking of “heavenly,” the branding of Chocolatá pays homage to the celestial world. Kathy loves astrology (she’s a Pisces, for those who are wondering), and when she asked a good friend who works in graphic design to assist with branding for the shop, one concept “outshone” all others. “I wanted to include the symbol of the moon somehow,” Kathy said, “and she came up with this. She really knows me.”

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B I R M I N G HA M

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FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B I R M I N G HA M

“The Space With the Yellow

Chandelier” How Canary Gallery Honors Artists – and Inspires the Magic City 26

M UST SE E | A RTS + CU LTURE

L-R: "Alessandro" and "Still Life (large)" by William Rushton

ARTICLE BY DENISE K. JAMES

If you ask Canary Gallery Owner Libby Pantazis, creativity is vital for our everyday existence. A retired attorney, she describes her former career as filled with possibilities to solve puzzles using innovative thinking. It’s no wonder this brilliant visionary was able to curate one of the city’s must-see galleries, built from a family of unique, contemporary artists. The mission at Canary Gallery is multifaceted: provide a space celebrating both creator and creation, and encourage lovers of art to do the same. As you stroll the bustling stretch of 2nd Avenue North — populated with many of the city’s best shops and restaurants – Canary Gallery cannot be missed. The space is landmarked with its iconic logo, created by in-house artist Victor Bokas: a sunny yellow backdrop, bearing the striking silhouette of a canary. Inside, the airy atmosphere brimming with light lends itself to showcasing art in all media, from oil painting to sculpture to digital illustration. One of the most famous elements of the gallery, according to Libby, is a gorgeous Colonial chandelier, made entirely of brass and painted the signature yellow hue. “It’s our calling card — we’re the space with the yellow chandelier,” she said, smiling. “Victor’s sister is my youngest son’s godmother, and when we talked about opening the gallery, he took off on this logo — and he knows I love yellow. I wear yellow almost every day; I even have yellow glasses and shoes!” Many artists whose work is displayed at Canary Gallery have a personal relationship with Libby – and many were not initially based on art, but on friendships, parenting and just regular life in Birmingham. “I’ve known [these artists] in multiple arenas,” Libby said. “When I decided to open the gallery, I knew I wanted certain artists whose work I liked – and I knew the arrangement would be successful for them and for the gallery.” Libby feels deeply that her purpose is to “introduce artists to as many people as possible.” It’s a calling she takes intentionally, and it comes before considering the gallery a retail business. For Libby, it’s important to feature varied styles and media without repetition – the result is a feast for the eyes, each piece arranged with enough space to create its own presentation and opportunity for admiration. “I don’t want 10 different impressionist painters,” she noted. “ I have 2,400 square feet, and I want someone walking into the gallery to notice how all pieces have a premium space. I never thought I would use geometry again, but I did for these angles!” CONTINUED >

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SAM EVANS FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B I R M I N G HA M

“I think Birmingham is unusual — and I’ve been here 60 years — in that it’s a supportive art community...” -BEVERLY ERDREICH

"Still Life (small)" by William Rushton

Because of the relationship she fosters with each artist and each individual work, parting with anything displayed is always a bittersweet moment for Libby. Yes, she’s thrilled the art has found a new home where it will be loved — but it’s hard to say goodbye. “When I bring the art from the gallery to the patron’s car … it’s not that I don’t want it to go — I want it shared — but I’ve enjoyed and cherished that piece,” she mused. “So I hold onto it for just another minute or two.” We were fortunate to speak to a handful of these talented artists, whose work has been important to Canary Gallery and to countless collectors in Birmingham and beyond.

SAM AND AMY COLLINS Sam and Amy Collins keep their household diversely inspirational, thanks to very different artistic styles — at least after working hours. Both enjoy careers as trained medical illustrators — they even met at the Medical College of Georgia — but whereas Amy is an oil painter, Sam is a digital illustrator.

M UST SE E | A RTS + CU LTURE

"respite" by Debra Riffe

"Fleeting Moment" by Amy Collins

Known for her “peaceful and nostalgic” cow paintings as well as other contemporary, impressionist works, Amy enjoys painting from old photographs, citing the “honesty in an old photo,” as well as from real life — perhaps a witnessed conversation or image. “I see inspiration everywhere,” she reflected. “I paint people doing everyday things.” Meanwhile, Sam gets his ideas from everywhere in American life. His eye-catching digital images are known for depicting advertisements, politics and cultural commentary of all types. Sam noted that he’s always loved pop art and enjoys using bright colors, drawings and both old and new photos. “My work has a sense of story to it,” he explained. “Some have a bit of a dark side to them. But the titles and elements come out of our culture.” Amy and Sam have known Libby for quite a while. In addition to their kids playing soccer together, Amy “painted with Libby for several years,” since both women took lessons from Barbara Evans, a local artist.

Now that the kids are older, Sam and Amy have more time to spend on their personal artistic endeavors, and Canary Gallery visitors have benefited. Amy noted that it can be “hard to reach people as an artist” but that Libby is “great at communicating with her clients.” And Canary Gallery’s reach is farther than just the ‘Ham – Sam recently sold a piece at a show in another state, to a patron who first glimpsed his art in the Magic City. “They’d primarily seen my work at Canary Gallery,” he said.

WILLIAM RUSHTON William Rushton learned to do sightsize portrait painting as a college student, studying abroad in Florence, Italy. After a life-affirming experience there and encouragement from an instructor, he chose to come back after graduation and enroll full-time, eventually becoming an instructor himself. Sight-size painting is not done from a photograph but rather from true life, where the subject sits for the portrait.

"Diadji" sculpture by William Rushton; in background, "Summer Vacation" by Victor Bokas CONTINUED > FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B I R M I N G HA M

“The only way this technique can be passed down is through apprenticeship,” William commented. “You have to watch people who are better at it than you are — it’s the best way to learn. Every year, I felt like I was picking up a concrete skill.” Though William does not have a commissioned painting to work on each day (yet), he attends to his craft daily, typically painting from about 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. His models, mostly people he’s met around Birmingham, are essential to his routine — now that he has models, he can dedicate himself more fully. And, COVID-19 notwithstanding, he goes back to Florence quite often. As you read this article, in fact, he is likely there. Canary Gallery, too, has been instrumental to William’s foray into being a full-time artist. He knew of the gallery already, having gone to high school with Libby’s son and living downtown near its location. Not only has he met models through the gallery, he’s sold paintings through a recent show. “Libby is a great person to have on your side,” he remarked. “She’s a great networker. Without my show, I would have less work. These opportunities are a stepping stone to others, and they mean a lot to any artist’s career.”

DEBRA RIFFE While attending the Howard University College of Fine Arts, Debra Riffe “fell in love” with relief printmaking during the final class she needed to earn her bachelor’s degree in fine arts. Today, she gleans inspiration from “many different sources,” including people-watching, books, magazines and newspapers. “As my carving skills have improved, I’ve incorporated more color,” she

"caste" by Debra Riffe

M UST SE E | A RTS + CU LTURE

explained. “Using more than one color is a technique referred to as reductive printmaking. The result is a multi-layered print using a single block. To date, my most ambitious print has included eight separate inks.” Debra has a passion for Depression-era photographs as well as photographs pertaining to the Civil Rights movement, and she feels strongly that her work must give voice and identity to BIPOC individuals — a responsibility she solemnly cherishes. “I use my imagination to embellish or detail a selected subject,” she noted. “My goal is to give subjects an identity that has been lost, and for me, this is about Black identity. I elevate the status of my subjects and elevate the art of printmaking every opportunity I have.” As you read these words, Debra is working on a project more than eight years in the making — it started when she navigated the whole city, capturing photographs which document “historic vintage neon signs, iconic landmarks and ‘ghost signs’ (faded, hand-painted advertisements on old brick walls) looming over Birmingham.” Using the photographs, she will create multiple block prints from haunting historic signage. Displaying her art at Canary Gallery has proven fruitful for Debra – her portrait “St. Clair” was recently acquired by the Birmingham Museum of Art, and she holds her business partnership with Libby in high regard. “Libby Pantazis IS Canary Gallery — and without her humor, empathy, intellectual humility and commitment, it would not exist,” she pointed out. “She has a vision, and I am all in.”

"Loredana (small)" by William Rushton

BEVERLY ERDREICH Growing up in Dothan, Alabama where art was scarce, Beverly Erdreich was nevertheless preparing her future, taking lessons in a garage-turned-studio with renowned watercolorist Frances Watford. “When I look back, Frances Watford was amazing — she was very committed to her art, and that’s hard to do without a community,” Beverly noted. Later, Beverly finessed her talent with formal education. She attended Newcomb-Tulane, where she was able to immerse herself in studio art courses and earn a degree in art history. After college, she continued her education with workshops at the Art Students League of New York and the Santa Fe Art Institute, before moving to Birmingham in 1961. Beverly’s work is varied, including abstract paintings, mixed media and even a children’s book. One series — a representation of Disasters of War by Goya — was displayed in three museums. “I blew them up larger and worked into them with pastels, pencil, and collage to emphasize that we have not made much progress, as far as war and humanity,” she explained. For now, Beverly is taking a break from social issues in her art and is painting again, having recently shown a series at Canary Gallery. “A friend of mine had a show there, and I went to it, and I loved the gallery, so I invited Libby to my studio. She immediately offered me a show, and I immediately accepted,” she beamed. “I think Birmingham is unusual — and I've been here 60 years — in that it’s a supportive art community,” she continued. “People want each other to do well. And I think that’s important to young artists and to all artists.”

"She's a Real Life Saver" by Sam Collins

"Can You Pick Up Where You Left Off" by Beverly Erdreich

FEB R UARY 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/B I R M I N G HA M

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ARTICLE BY TONIA TROTTER PRICE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Tonia’s Top Picks

Call me a romantic, but I love love. Rom-coms, love letters, staring at the object of your affection over a candlelit dinner — all of it. So, naturally, Valentine’s Day is a holiday I enjoy celebrating. Some may say it’s cheesy or commercial, but to me, it’s a reminder to take the time to tell your people you love them... and let yourself feel those feelings that sometimes get pushed aside for carlines, deadlines and the current bottom line. I also love supporting small businesses and local makers. Not only do I get to invest in my local community and help my friends, I also get to give something unique, artful, and crafted with more thought and quality than the average big-box retailer provides. That thoughtful note seems even more special when it’s on hand-printed stationary. I’ve included a few of my top picks for this Valentine’s Day -- all from local retailers who are making our city so very magic.

The way to my heart is through my closet. Just kidding! (Kind of.) These Arianne Mina Chili Pumps from Basic are red hot. abasicshop.com

My favorite way to celebrate: Pop open a bottle of bubbly from Golden Age Wine, order takeout, and watch a romantic film. goldenagewine.com

Chocolate is an aphrodisiac, so set the mood with delicate and unique offerings from Honeycreeper. honeycreeperchocolate.com

Gaia’s sexy arrangements are a unique antidote to the classic bouquet. Forget grocery store flowers — these are fragrant, lush and artistic. gaiaflorals.com

Originally a gift for my husband, Saint Rita Parlor’s fragrance is unisex, smoky, and definitely makes you want to lean in closer to the wearer. clubduquette.co

If, like me, words of affirmation are your love language, express your sweet nothings with illustrations by Kaitlin Slattery. dreamerssupplyco.com

T R E N D SE T T E R | SHOPPING

Visit Trails End – An AR Homes® Community MOSS CREEK CIRCLE, MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL 35223

Monday – Saturday

Sunday

10am to 5pm

1pm to 5pm

Call 205-876-3677 to schedule your visit. Mary Kathryn Bonamy • MKBonamy@ARHomes.com