A Season of Growth: What’s Ahead at Impact Arts Council

2026 has been a year of growth at Impact Arts Council.

We’ve welcomed new faces, expanded programs, tried new things, and found more ways to connect people of all ages and abilities with the arts in North Jefferson County. Now, as we head into the final quarter of the year, there’s plenty happening both on our calendar and behind the scenes.

October brings new classes for young creators, workshops for teens and adults, community events, continued programming at the Burkett Center, and several ways to get involved.

Here’s a look at what’s ahead.

More Ways for Young Artists to Create

One of the things we’re most excited about this fall is the expansion of our arts education programs.

Our established Homeschool Art class continues at Connection Point Church in Forestdale, and beginning October 15, we’re bringing Homeschool Art to Kimberly with a new eight-week pilot session.

Designed for students in grades K–8, the Kimberly program offers separate class times for grades K–2, 3–5, and 6–8. Students will explore drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, and other creative processes while developing new skills alongside other homeschool students.

Impact Arts Council is also an approved Alabama CHOOSE Act Education Service Provider, allowing eligible families to use CHOOSE Act funds through ClassWallet for Homeschool Art.

And when the school day ends, there’s another place to make art.

On October 20, our Kimberly After-School Art program begins its first eight-week session for students in grades 2–8. Students will experiment with different materials and techniques, develop original artwork, build confidence, and spend time with other young artists in an encouraging environment.

Our youngest artists are getting something special this fall, too.

Preschool Art begins in Kimberly in October and will be offered on the third Tuesday of each month through May. With separate classes for ages 2–3 and 4–5, children can explore art alongside a parent or caregiver through projects designed especially for their stage of development. Each class is intentionally limited to six children, giving little artists and their grown-ups plenty of room to learn and make something together.

Registration is now open for all three programs.

There’s Room for Grown-Ups to Create, Too

Kids aren’t the only ones who deserve time to make something.

On October 11, local artist Carmen Morris will lead an Angel or Garden Fairy Pottery Class at the North Jefferson Innovation Center. Participants will work with clay to make a one-of-a-kind angel or garden fairy, with plenty of room to give the finished piece their own personality.

Then, on October 18, Wendy Erhart will introduce participants to Kinusaiga, the Japanese art of creating pictures with fabric. The beginner-friendly class is open to ages 14 and up, requires no sewing, and offers a chance to experience an art form you may not encounter every day.

Whether you make art regularly or haven’t done something artistic just for fun in years, these workshops are a chance to slow down, try something different, and enjoy making something with your own hands.

And there’s more to come. We’ll continue adding workshops and new ways to get creative throughout the coming months, giving adults and teens more chances to try something new, learn from local artists, and make time for creativity.

Taking Art Into the Community

Not everything we do happens inside a classroom or workshop.

Impact Arts Council will be at Warrior Day on October 17 with a hands-on art activity for the community.

We’ll also be at Barking at the Moon on October 25, and this time a few four-legged artists get to join in.

Participants can make a flower bouquet painting on canvas using their dog’s paw print and pet-safe paint. It’s a fun way to spend some creative time with your pup and leave with a keepsake made together.

We’ll be back out in the community on November 21 for the Blue Spoon Chili Festival, where Impact will offer henna and tie-dye shirts.

Being part of local events gives us a chance to meet new people, reconnect with familiar faces, and bring art into the places where our neighbors are already gathering.

Art & Music for All at the Burkett Center

Another important part of our work happens each week at the Burkett Center.

Through Art for All and Music for All, students of all abilities have opportunities to make art, explore music, express themselves, build confidence, and connect with others. Classes are led by professional teaching artists and musicians with support from dedicated volunteers.

In October, Impact Arts Council will also provide a professional development opportunity for Burkett Center teachers and staff as we continue strengthening this partnership.

We are currently looking for additional volunteers to support both Art for All and Music for All, and another volunteer training is being planned for October.

Volunteers are an important part of making these weekly classes possible. If you’ve been looking for a hands-on way to support accessible arts programming in our area and spend time creating alongside some pretty incredible students, we’d love to have you join us.

A Little Fall Color Can Support the Arts, Too

Not every way to support Impact requires picking up a paintbrush.

Our Fall Mum Presale is underway, with medium yellow mums available for $20. Orders are due October 7, with pickup on October 11 from 1–4 PM at the North Jefferson Innovation Center.

Each purchase supports Impact Arts Council and helps us keep bringing arts experiences to our area. You can add a little fall color to your porch while supporting the work happening right here in North Jefferson County.

We Want Students at the Table

As Impact grows, we also want young people to have a voice in what comes next.

Applications are now open for the founding 2026–27 Impact Arts Council Student Advisory Board. We’re looking for 4–6 students in grades 10–12 who are ready to share their ideas, gain hands-on leadership experience, and take an active role in our work.

And this isn’t a board where students simply add their names to a list.

Members will contribute to social media and outreach, participate in local events, and take on real responsibilities during our three major spring events. They’ll assist artists at the Impact Artist Market, help welcome authors and visitors at the Impact Book Festival, and plan and lead their own art activity at the Impact Arts Festival.

You don’t have to consider yourself an artist to apply. Students interested in leadership, creativity, social media, volunteering, the arts, or becoming more involved in their community are encouraged to apply.

We want students at the table because their ideas and perspectives can help us build programs and events that young people genuinely want to be part of.

Finishing 2026 While Building 2027

There’s plenty happening this fall, but the final quarter of the year is about more than finishing 2026.

Behind the scenes, we’re already building toward 2027.

Planning is beginning for our three major spring events: the Impact Artist Market, Impact Book Festival, and Impact Arts Festival. Our founding Student Advisory Board will become part of that work, and what we learn from this fall’s classes, workshops, and events will help inform where we go next.

As we move through the final months of 2026, even more may be added to the calendar. Keep an eye on our website and social media for new classes, workshops, events, and ways to participate.

When we talk about growth at Impact Arts Council, we aren’t simply talking about adding more dates to a calendar.

Growth can look like a preschooler making art alongside a parent. A homeschool student discovering a new material. A teenager realizing their ideas have a place at the table. An adult deciding to make something just for fun. A volunteer showing up for students at the Burkett Center. A family stopping by our booth at a local event.

Each of those moments looks a little different, but together they tell the story of what we’re working toward: making the arts more accessible, welcoming, and connected to the people who call North Jefferson County home.

There’s a lot ahead, and we’re excited to keep creating, learning, and growing alongside our community.

Art Impacts Everyone.