After an extensive career as a theater and puppetry artist in New York City, Garland Farwell embarked on a journey to the Alabama Black Belt to delve into Folk Art, Rural Art, and Outsider Art, seeking inspiration for a new creative direction. Originally planning a two-month stay, Garland's exploration extended to a year, then ten, and eventually fifteen. In "Quilted House," Garland draws inspiration from traditional quilting in crafting art from reclaimed wood and scrap metal sourced from dilapidated houses in west Alabama. Central to this artistic endeavor is research into the individuals and families who once occupied these abandoned spaces. Garland aims to locate their descendants, and unravel their stories. The Verdant Fund supports community-based aspects of the project, facilitating not only art creation but also dedicating time to outreach and research beyond the artistic process.

Gloria Whitehead, a mixed media artist hailing from Atlanta, GA, and currently residing in York, AL draws inspiration from her upbringing, where she observed her mother's prowess in painting and sewing. This early exposure significantly influences her ongoing artistic journey. Engaging in diverse creative pursuits is integral to Gloria's continuous growth as an artist. Her 2023 Verdant Fund Project, "Sustainable Creatives," entails hosting free ten-week workshops. In these sessions, participants will delve into the art of sustainability, crafting pieces using donated materials. Upon completion, each participant will receive a certificate and have the opportunity to showcase their work in an exhibition dedicated to Earth Day and other sustainable themes in Spring 2024.

Jasper Lee, an artist hailing from central Alabama, specializes in creating videos, installations, and music. His work explores themes such as alchemy, experimental ethnography, and contemporary approaches to ritual. Actively involved in the experimental music scene of Birmingham, AL, Jasper serves as a performer and organizer, overseeing the label/collective Sweet Wreath. Sweet Wreath Speaks! is a free radio festival that broadcasts sounds and seeds for both people and pollinators. This one-day radio art installation, situated at Birmingham's Railroad Park, will feature listening experiences, collaborative crafts, and the distribution of free wildflower seeds. Located centrally in the city, the project aims to be accessible to all, with additional outreach efforts to engage communities in active participation.

Ottie James is an Alabama-based artist and visionary storyteller who weaves creativity into narratives that transcend boundaries. With a background in music, dance, visual arts, and poetry, Ottie embarked on a mission in 2014 to unveil the stories of hidden creative giants within Alabama. In “Red Sanctuary”, Ottie will create an immersive performance and art installation. This project will highlight historical events and organizations that have impacted life in Mobile County and the surrounding Gulf Coast. Through each stroke and note, Ottie James will paint stories that inspire creativity and connection.

In “From Captivity to Liberation" Mobile, AL based artist June Reddix-Stennis will explore the profound legacy of kidnapped and stolen Black bodies, tracing their journey from Africa to Mobile. Through socially engaged artworks, workshops, and public space exhibitions, the project delves into the complex impact of this historical injustice, highlighting the stolen labor of enslaved individuals on cotton plantations, the exploitation of Yoruba African indigo dyeing, and the divisive role of "Negro Cloth." By intertwining visual arts, cultural education, and community engagement, the project aims to foster a deeper understanding of the enduring connections between past and present systems of oppression.

Kami Watson is an award winning, second-generation fiber and textile artist who currently resides in Huntsville, AL. She works out of both her studio at Lowe Mill ARTS and her home studio/garage. She focuses on wet felting, the process of creating a textile by combining thin layers of wool fiber with soap, water, and agitation. Believing art education and creation opportunities should be accessible to everyone, Kami plans to partner with the North Huntsville Public Library to create a series of monthly (12 total), free 3-hour workshops to promote traditional and contemporary fiber arts, that encourage creativity, and fosters community engagement.

Kimberly McWhorter, an artist with an academic foundation that includes an MFA specializing in Printmaking and Book Arts, takes to the streets to ignite joy and creativity while fostering meaningful connections with her project, the “Dream Hype Type Trike (working title).” Picture this: a vibrantly painted tricycle, pedaling through the streets to bring the power of printmaking directly to the people, wherever it goes. Think of it as a rolling gallery of artistic opportunity, spreading joy and engaging curious minds wherever it stops.

From an early age Kyle was predisposed to over analyzation. He found that contemplations on mental health, emotional trauma, and societal roles became the ponderings du jour while being raised by a single mother who was fleeing their abusive patriarch. Growing up, he recognized his ethnic ambiguity and non-traditional family unit prevented him full acceptance into any particular social group; exclusions which were further exacerbated by a lengthy coming to terms with his atypical queer identity. In “Empathy Without Bias,” Kyle will create a series of immersive ceramic installations that allow people to empathize with each other without the biases that come with external appearances or first meet judgements. All humans regardless of socio-economic-identity based status can engage in this exercise of empathy and possibly find a way to relate to one another to create the link that bridges the gaps in human interaction.

Having served as a chef for nearly 27 years, artist Roscoe Hall found solace and inspiration in art as a means of coping with life's challenges. “Not No More," encompasses valuable lessons in agriculture, documenting the paths taken, and exploring cultivation practices through art. This project specifically focuses on tracing the journey of seeds throughout the Black Belt region of Alabama through the development of color pigments, the creation of a recipe booklet/cookbook, and execution of a mural that shares the compelling story of the significance of land ownership and financial literacy within this community.Through "Not No More," Roscoe Hall strives to contribute to the ongoing narrative of progress by intertwining the worlds of art and agriculture, highlighting the importance of these themes in the context of the Black Belt's history and future.

Terri Foster, a Mobile, Alabama-based artist originally from Chicago, is known for her multidisciplinary work blending and collecting memory, history, found objects, and personal experiences to craft new narratives. "(Our) Museum," extends her exploration of history and memory by using re-contextualized objects, photography, installation, embroidery, and writing, to create a fresh historical narrative rooted in personal imagery and artifacts. The project aims to prompt reflection on the significance of everyday items and experiences, challenging conventional approaches to cultural artifacts and societal priorities.