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Beauty matters and so do those who create it
We're transforming Birmingham by cultivating its creative community
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We believe in restoration, reconciliation, and redemption. We believe beauty is what will transform the world. We believe in cultivating Birmingham's creative community so our city will flourish.
For Artists
“Being an artist can be a lonely occupation. InSpero is an empowering tool. It’s a place to come be encouraged and inspired.”
Adam Wright, Founder, Act of Congress
You may feel alone or discouraged, and wonder if your work matters. InSpero nurtures artists and artisans by creating opportunities to connect and collaborate in community. We need you, your work, and your voice for the good of our city.
For Participants
“InSpero’s artful ways of practicing hospitality and community are so needed, and I can only hope others will catch the vision they embody so winsomely.”
Allen Levi, Singer-songwriter
When we fail to slow down and enjoy beauty, life can lose its meaning and we end up disconnected from ourselves and others. InSpero organizes gatherings to inspire people through music, hospitality, story, and art.
For Birmingham
“Artists are prophets who remind us of beauty, truth, and goodness in a broken world. When I hear those words, I think of InSpero's impact on Birmingham. Our artists remind us all that beauty matters."
Melissa Loudon
We believe in Birmingham. Since our first event in 2013 to honor the fiftieth anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, we have empowered creative community to help bring hope and healing to our city.
For the Faith Community
“InSpero communicates the importance of the arts by encouraging local artists, facilitating conversations between pastors and artists, and bringing in speakers to help our community grapple with how we can reclaim beauty and the arts for the church.”
Gisela Kreglinger, PhD, Author and Theologian
InSpero provides a bridge for the church to reach out to the creative community to better serve our city. We also bring beauty into the church through collaborations with artists and musicians.
For Pastors
“InSpero offers a natural bridge for churches to reach out to artists in authentic mutual relationships where we seek the good of our city together.”
Joel Brooks, Pastor, Redeemer Community Church
InSpero sees pastors as artists and prophets, sharing their gifts and voices for the good of our churches and city. We help support and encourage you to stay in your story and calling and provide ways for you reach out to the creative community.
For Donors
“InSpero’s thoughtfully planned and well-executed events always leave me thirsty for more. I’m reminded that my story matters and to persevere in my vocation as an artist and employer of artists. My heart is full and enlarged for the greater good of my city."
Susan Gordon, Founder, Susan Gordon Pottery
We need you to join us in this beautiful story of redemption, restoration, and reconciliation. We believe in the long-lasting fruit which comes from authentic relationships and small things done slowly over long periods of time. Believe with us, for the good of our city.
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InSpero loves to gather people together in events of beauty, hospitality, art, music, stories, food, and hope. Sign up to get updates in your inbox, and download the calendar so you know what's coming up.
Upcoming Events
November 22, 2024
You’re invited to slow down and prepare for Advent at a quiet lakeside cottage with music, art, and a lectio divina. Lunch, coffee and snacks will be provided. Limited to 20 participants. Whisper Woods Lake is located in Vincent, about 30-50 minutes from most Birmingham locations.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
Nov 22, 2024
You’re invited to slow down and prepare for Advent at a quiet lakeside cottage with music, art, and a lectio divina. Lunch, coffee and snacks will be provided. Limited to 20 participants. Whisper Woods Lake is located in Vincent, about 30-50 minutes from most Birmingham locations.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
Join us →
Nov 22, 2024
You’re invited to slow down and prepare for Advent at a quiet lakeside cottage with music, art, and a lectio divina. Lunch, coffee and snacks will be provided. Limited to 20 participants. Whisper Woods Lake is located in Vincent, about 30-50 minutes from most Birmingham locations.
Learn more about Beauty for Ashes here.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
Get tickets →
December 5, 2024
South Highland Presbyterian Church is excited to partner with InSpero to welcome the broader community of churches and friends to sink into the Advent season together. Immanuel is a Christmas concert of folk-pop songs, with nine originals and one classic carol retelling the Christmas story through the perspective of the angels and people who were there. Melanie will be accompanied by a live band with musicians from both Nashville and New York.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
Dec 5, 2024
South Highland Presbyterian Church is excited to partner with InSpero to welcome the broader community of churches and friends to sink into the Advent season together. Immanuel is a Christmas concert of folk-pop songs, with nine originals and one classic carol retelling the Christmas story through the perspective of the angels and people who were there. Melanie will be accompanied by a live band with musicians from both Nashville and New York.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
Join us →
Dec 5, 2024
South Highland Presbyterian Church is excited to partner with InSpero to welcome the broader community of churches and friends to sink into the Advent season together. Immanuel is a Christmas concert of folk-pop songs, with nine originals and one classic carol retelling the Christmas story through the perspective of the angels and people who were there. Melanie will be accompanied by a live band with musicians from both Nashville and New York.
Learn more about Beauty for Ashes here.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
Get tickets →
Past Events
June 9, 2022
Two singer-songwriters. Two poets. Two writers. All at the beautiful Clubhouse on Highland. Join us at InSpero's 7th Magic City Storytellers, featuring Pulitzer-prize writer John Archibald and essayist / author Javacia Harris Bowser, award-winning poets Alina Stefanscu and Sue Tolle, and singer / songwriters Noel Johnson and GI Magus.
Come at 6 pm to enjoy beer and wine on the porch. Performance begins at 7 pm and we will have a dessert intermission.
Seating limited to 120. Get your tickets early as we've sold out each year.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
June 9, 2022
Two singer-songwriters. Two poets. Two writers. All at the beautiful Clubhouse on Highland. Join us at InSpero's 7th Magic City Storytellers, featuring Pulitzer-prize writer John Archibald and essayist / author Javacia Harris Bowser, award-winning poets Alina Stefanscu and Sue Tolle, and singer / songwriters Noel Johnson and GI Magus.
Come at 6 pm to enjoy beer and wine on the porch. Performance begins at 7 pm and we will have a dessert intermission.
Seating limited to 120. Get your tickets early as we've sold out each year.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
Learn More →
February 23, 2022
Please join us for our first-ever urban Lent Retreat featuring master storytellers/songwriters Mandi Mapes & Mo Leverett and a treat from Chef Kristen Hall of the Essential.
You'll get to spend the day in authentic community with kindred creatives engaging stories and songs and ancient texts based around themes of death and resurrection.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
February 23, 2022
Please join us for our first-ever urban Lent Retreat featuring master storytellers/songwriters Mandi Mapes & Mo Leverett and a treat from Chef Kristen Hall of the Essential.
You'll get to spend the day in authentic community with kindred creatives engaging stories and songs and ancient texts based around themes of death and resurrection.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
Learn More →
February 23, 2022
Please join us for a rich night of story, song, and community set inside the historic Cahaba Pumping Station (circa 1887) featuring beloved master storytellers and folk artists: Mandi Mapes and Mo Leverett .
We are thrilled to offer such an honest offering--a night filled with authentic stories of brokenness, loss, longing, death, resurrection, and hope.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
February 23, 2022
Please join us for a rich night of story, song, and community set inside the historic Cahaba Pumping Station (circa 1887) featuring beloved master storytellers and folk artists: Mandi Mapes and Mo Leverett .
We are thrilled to offer such an honest offering--a night filled with authentic stories of brokenness, loss, longing, death, resurrection, and hope.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
Learn More →
“Stories make us more alive, more human, more courageous, more loving" (Madeleine L’Engle).
April 1, 2014
Lent Day 25, Wednesday, April 2: "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
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March 18, 2014
Lent Day 13, Wednesday, March 19: "And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. They are turned back and utterly put to shame, who trust in carved idols, who say to metal images, 'You are our gods.'” Isaiah 42:16-17
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March 4, 2014
Lent: Forty Days to Repent, Return, Refocus and Renew.
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January 13, 2014
This past weekend InSpero hosted our first ever Nourish Retreat.
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December 14, 2013
This waiting season of Advent is gently stirring something in me.
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November 21, 2013
"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.." Psalm 130:5-6
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October 17, 2013
Thy Love Inspires preview As I sit listening to the rain this morning I am turned toward hope, curiosity, and wonder...
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October 12, 2013
The name "InSpero" reflects our desire to bring hope and beauty to our city through creative community
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October 8, 2013
A call to "Mission" is incomplete without a call to Creativity, Redemption thru the Arts, and a Spirit of Hospitality.
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We are privileged for the wisdom, vision, leadership, and prayers of our Board of Directors. They guide, support, and advocate for InSpero, and hold us true to our mission to bring hope and healing to Birmingham through nurturing creative community.
Our Advisory Council shares InSpero’s vision to help Birmingham thrive through helping its creative community flourish. They advocate, endorse, support, offer insight, and invite others to work with us for the good of our city, our creative community, and our local churches.
InSpero cultivates hope and meaning for artists, churches, and the people of Birmingham by caring for our creatives and organizing opportunities for them to share their beautiful gifts with our city. Any questions? Please reach out to nancy@inspero.org.
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