The Journey of the Conference

Overview

The Journey of the Conference is both an immersive exhibition and experience — a reimagining of The Conference of the Birds through voices and visions that connect Montgomery to Paris. Sparked by MonkeyBird’s mural and carried by the artists who journeyed — and those prepared to journey — this project charts a living map of our collective flight.

At the heart of this exhibition is Montgomery’s creative community. The Montgomery artists who participated in workshops, opened their practices to shared learning, and submitted to join the Paris exchange helped forge the exhibition’s language of collaboration. Their process work, experiments, and mutual support shaped how we welcome audiences into the seven symbolic valleys — quest, love, insight, detachment, unity, bewilderment, and nothingness.

We also honor the literary artists and poets whose words animated the previous immersive experience on Dexter. Their poems, performances, and reflective texts gave voice to the passage between inner transformation and public encounter, reminding us that language itself can be a bridge.

IThe Journey reminds us that art is restoration — healing, challenging, and bridging the unseen spaces between people and places. Transformation is not solitary; it is something we do together.

When the old stories fall away, we discover that the flight was never only about the destination — it was about becoming the flock.

— Alana Enfinity

Creative Director | The Journey of the Conference
Mindful Meta Art, LLC

featured artwork

POEMS ABOUT HOME

3 Alabama Poets | shared their musings on the meaning of home, truth and enlightenment

Experience The Poems Now

I am a bird too

Ana Sneeringer | In this work, I was exploring the idea of what it means to be seen. Not only as an artist stepping into the public eye, but as a human being who dares to reveal themselves. The theater became my metaphor, a space where roles blur, where the audience and performer mirror one another, and where the act of witnessing becomes as powerful as the act of performing.

The Indian Runner Duck, known for its upright stance and long history of migration from Asia through Europe to the United States embodies resilience, transformation, and the courage to keep moving forward. Paired with the woman, it is not a mere bystander but a companion and equal, echoing the timeless search for unity and self-discovery found in The Conference of the Birds.

Together, woman and bird become mirrors for all of us, regardless of where we live or who we are. They represent humanity’s shared journey, and the bravery to cross thresholds, the vulnerability of exposure, and the possibility of transformation through the simple act of being witnessed.

Acrylic and Prismacolor on Panel. Each piece is around 22x28”
Group of 4 would be roughly 60x60”
Would like to show the group arranged together similar to Paris showing if possible.
2024-2025

The Ball Player

RC Hagans | Psychedelic Americana.
Contemporary Nostalgia.
These paintings take an idealized look at the American past with an altered field of view. The subjects range from the artists favorite uncle, or a young Hank Williams, to out of context historical portraits in the library of Congress. The figures seem distant yet familiar, perhaps from some old family album or someone else’s aging yearbook. The pattern or “halo” that surrounds each subject is inspired by the “Hex” you see painted on the side of an old barn, grandma’s heirloom quilt, or the rose window of a cathedral. All powerful geometric forms created by skilled hands to protect loved ones from the haints out there roaming this world of ours.

Meduim: Acrylic
Dimensions: 28 1/2 x 34 (Framed)
Year Completed: 2023

Broken

Lydell Bell | This painting is my prayer poured onto canvas. In seasons of brokenness, when anxiety and depression felt overwhelming, I cried out to God for healing, protection, and love. The yellow background represents both light and struggle, while the red splatters mark pain that could not be hidden. The figure on his knees is me with hands raised in surrender, caught between despair and faith. Even in my lowest moments, I hold on to the truth that God is my healer, my protector, and my savior. This work is my testimony of pain transformed into faith and hope.

Uncle Joel

RC Hagans | Psychedelic Americana.
Contemporary Nostalgia.
These paintings take an idealized look at the American past with an altered field of view. The subjects range from the artists favorite uncle, or a young Hank Williams, to out of context historical portraits in the library of Congress. The figures seem distant yet familiar, perhaps from some old family album or someone else’s aging yearbook. The pattern or “halo” that surrounds each subject is inspired by the “Hex” you see painted on the side of an old barn, grandma’s heirloom quilt, or the rose window of a cathedral. All powerful geometric forms created by skilled hands to protect loved ones from the haints out there roaming this world of ours.

Power

Curbie Toles | The power within a black fist is limitless. It is a representation of our strength, resilience, pride, voice, pain and our anger. Our fist can be a threat, a force of chaos or a movement fueled by years of oppression and systemic enslavement. Or it can be a symbol of peace, unity and a show of respect. A black fist also represent the will power to break free of the chains that binds us, mentally and physically. Our fist can also be a show of knowledge for those to understand we have awaken! Simply put, our fists are POWERFUL!!!

Relocate

Tia Haynes | Tia Haynes is a creator of all kinds. She is an advocate of equality and a steward of the earth. The art she creates and events she curates reflect her daily appreciation of life. A graduate of Florida A&M University School of Architecture ; she fluidly transfers her design skills from one discipline to another, she is often influenced by the literal world and structures around us and how those structures hold (can, do, or should hold) unhoused folk and the global majority. Tia’s greatest asset is her ability to be vulnerable and transparent about her emotions, surroundings and dreams.

Getting Lost in Luna Melodies

Skye Re Vera | The woman in the painting is experiencing the music to the fullest while demonstrating beauty, elegance, and strength. Music is powerful and has the ability to change the way we think and see things around us. The night time can bring out the fearless ability in us to dance like no one is watching... Sometimes we can get lost in the vibes and melodies under the moonlight...