We, Bare Hands, Inc. began in 1996 as a visual arts gallery featuring Alabama artists. In time, Bare Hands also featured local performing artists and hosted a wide variety of artists in year-round exhibitions and events, all of which were primarily created and staffed by a large and beautiful group of volunteers. In 2004, we officially became a 501(c)(3) arts nonprofit.

One of Bare Hands’ featured Alabama artists, Tracy Martin, created a Día de los Muertos inspired installation in memory of her father in November of 2003. Tracy’s memorial installation was the catalyst for the Día de los Muertos festival we facilitate each year and we count it as Día de los Muertos Número Uno (number one).

Since the close of our gallery space in 2010, we have continued our mission through various offerings and partnerships.  Our annual commemoration of Día de los Muertos has flourished into a cherished multi-faceted community arts gathering and is our largest annual event, celebrating número veinte (number 20) in 2022. Preparation for this phenomenal community collaboration begins in early February and wraps in late November when all components are stored and all feedback is collected. Approximately 200 volunteers and partners and thousands of community members build the festival each year alongside local artists, Bare Hands’ staff and Board of Directors.

The Día de los Muertos festival has helped fund our arts education programming, such as our former summer series at the YWCA of Central Alabama—Bare Hands Art Club—and our current Memorial Altar Box classes and Art Class PopUps. It also fostered Behind the Mask, an exhibit of papier-mâché masks made by local artists that takes place in October.

In 2017, Birmingham Taco Fest began and has become another Bare Hands community arts event that has developed into a thriving arts celebration each May.

We were honored in 2022 when our nonprofit status was upgraded to 509(a)(2) public charity (a special designation under the umbrella of 501(c)(3)).  As we move into the future, we are actively working to expand and grow our arts education programming and are actively seeking a new public space to welcome the community and invite their artistic expression to bloom throughout the year!