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.
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 →
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 →
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
October 18, 2021
We're excited to feast in community and listen in as musicians Pierce Pettis and Byron Thomas lead us into their unique stories and sounds. Watch artists around the greenhouse create LIVE in response to the music.– all paintings will be up for auction that night! Artists creating live include Amy Stone, Michael Carpenter, Amhad Austin, Amanda Blake, Myrna Gates, Catie Radney, Vaughn Pursell, & Jared Knox. Dinner included by Little Donkey – drinks, wine, and beer available.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
October 18, 2021
We're excited to feast in community and listen in as musicians Pierce Pettis and Byron Thomas lead us into their unique stories and sounds. Watch artists around the greenhouse create LIVE in response to the music.– all paintings will be up for auction that night! Artists creating live include Amy Stone, Michael Carpenter, Amhad Austin, Amanda Blake, Myrna Gates, Catie Radney, Vaughn Pursell, & Jared Knox. Dinner included by Little Donkey – drinks, wine, and beer available.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
Learn More →
September 30, 2021
We're thrilled to have our dear friend and singer/songwriter Sandra McCracken with us for "such a time as this." We believe that beauty and radical hospitality and generous grace without agenda can help break down walls, build bridges, and bring hope and healing to our city. In respect of Covid, this event is in an open-air garage theatre and we are limiting attendance. We recommend masks for those unvaccinated. There will be beer, wine, and desserts available.
Check Back Soon
Sold Out
September 30, 2021
We're thrilled to have our dear friend and singer/songwriter Sandra McCracken with us for "such a time as this." We believe that beauty and radical hospitality and generous grace without agenda can help break down walls, build bridges, and bring hope and healing to our city. In respect of Covid, this event is in an open-air garage theatre and we are limiting attendance. We recommend masks for those unvaccinated. There will be beer, wine, and desserts available.
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.”
View More →
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
View More →
March 4, 2014
Lent: Forty Days to Repent, Return, Refocus and Renew.
View More →
January 13, 2014
This past weekend InSpero hosted our first ever Nourish Retreat.
View More →
December 14, 2013
This waiting season of Advent is gently stirring something in me.
View More →
November 21, 2013
"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.." Psalm 130:5-6
View More →
October 17, 2013
Thy Love Inspires preview As I sit listening to the rain this morning I am turned toward hope, curiosity, and wonder...
View More →
October 12, 2013
The name "InSpero" reflects our desire to bring hope and beauty to our city through creative community
View More →
October 8, 2013
A call to "Mission" is incomplete without a call to Creativity, Redemption thru the Arts, and a Spirit of Hospitality.
View More →
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.