Hands Holding Scissors And Quilting Hoops Of Gee'S Bend Quilters Andrea Williams, Left, And Right, Claudia Pettway Charley, Of Sew Gee'S Bend Heritage Builders, Part Of The Black Belt Maker'S Trail — Gee’s Bend quilters Andrea Williams, left, and Claudia Pettway Charley, right, of Sew Gee’s Bend Heritage Builders, offer several different types of quilting workshops now part of the Alabama Black Belt Maker’s Trail. (Sydney Foster)

A brand-new Alabama Black Belt Maker’s Trail gets you exclusive access to learning and creating alongside some of the state’s most celebrated artists and artisans, and we’re excited to share the first six of these curated experiences.

You can craft Southern biscuits in Marion with a James Beard Award-winning chef, sew with the internationally renowned quilters of Gee’s Bend, build your own Cabinet of Curiosity with found objects in Seale, and more.

Alabama Black Belt Adventures (ALBBA) established the trail, encouraging people to plan stays around each of the experiences to explore the region’s many distinctive, rural landscapes, delicious food and unique attractions.

Read on to learn more about the first six of these one-of-a-kind encounters and all that you can create on the new Black Belt Maker’s Trail.

Black Belt Maker’s Trail quick reference

1. Greensboro: Textile dyeing with Aaron Sanders Head

Alabama Textile Artist Aaron Sanders Head Of The Sumac Cottage Demonstrates Indigo Dyeing Techniques At Alabama Folk School — Textile artist Aaron Sanders Head demonstrates natural dyeing techniques. (Top left, Jenna Shea Photography, others courtesy of Aaron Sanders Head)

Cloth In A Vat Of Natural Gold Dye Made From Plants — Textile artist Aaron Sanders Head demonstrates natural dyeing techniques. (Top left, Jenna Shea Photography, others courtesy of Aaron Sanders Head)

What you’ll learn: Textile artist Aaron Sanders Head shares how to grow and harvest various plant materials to make dyes, the fundamentals of working with indigo and the Japanese dyeing technique known as shibori.
Where: Sumac Cottage, 1107 South St, Greensboro, AL 36744
What you’ll make: Your own textile art using natural dyes
Cost: Starts at $80
How to book: Advanced booking required here

2. Marion: Artful biscuit making with Scott Peacock

Alabama Chef Scott Peacock In Marion, Alabama, Forms Biscuit Dough — Esteemed chef Scott Peacock leads an incredible biscuit-making experience at Reverie in Marion. (ALBBA)

Biscuits Made In A Skillet By Alabama Chef Scott Peacock In Marion, Alabama — Esteemed chef Scott Peacock leads an incredible biscuit-making experience at Reverie in Marion. (ALBBA)

What you’ll learn: Alabama-born and James Beard Award-winning chef Scott Peacock shares about Black Belt foodways and traditions, including the art of making classic Southern biscuits, all from the kitchen of an 1858 Greek Revival mansion.
Where: Reverie, 199 W Lafayette St, Marion, AL 36756
What you’ll make: Biscuits and happy guests at home after learning Peacock’s secrets
Cost: Varies — use link below to inquire
How to book: Advanced booking required here

3. Gee’s Bend: Designing and stitching with Andrea Williams and Claudia Pettway Charley

Gee'S Bend Quilters Andrea Williams, Left, And Right, Claudia Pettway Charley, Of Sew Gee'S Bend Heritage Builders — Quilters Andrea Williams, left, and Claudia Pettway Charley, right, of Sew Gee’s Bend Heritage Builders, share a laugh during a recent workshop. (Sydney Foster)

What you’ll learn: Quilters Andrea Williams and Claudia Pettway Charley of Sew Gee’s Bend Heritage Builders pass on generations-old quilting traditions and techniques and their influence on contemporary art and fashion internationally.
Where: Sew Gee’s Bend Heritage Builders, 15173 Co Rd 29, Alberta, AL 36720
What you’ll make: A one-of-a-kind, Gee’s Bend-inspired garment or, in the mini workshop, a quilted block
Cost: Starts at $95
How to book: Advanced booking required here

4. Selma: Metalwork and sculpting with Charlie ‘Tin Man’ Lucas

A 1985 Metalwork Sculpture Titled &Quot;Power Man&Quot; By Alabama Artist Charlie &Quot;Tin Man&Quot; Lucas, Who Offers Workshops Through The Black Belt Maker'S Trail At His Selma Studio — From top left, clockwise: “Power Man,” 1985 (ALBBA): “Eighteen Wheeler” and “Let My Spirit Flow Free” (both Pitkin Studio); and their creator, Charlie “Tin Man” Lucas, shown in his Selma studio (Ethan Honaker)

A Metal Sculpture Of A Deer Titled &Quot;Eighteen Wheeler&Quot; Created Around 1985 By Alabama Artist Charlie &Quot;Tin Man&Quot; Lucas — From top left, clockwise: “Power Man,” 1985 (ALBBA): “Eighteen Wheeler” and “Let My Spirit Flow Free” (both Pitkin Studio); and their creator, Charlie “Tin Man” Lucas, shown in his Selma studio (Ethan Honaker)

What you’ll learn: Sculptor and painter Charlie “Tin Man” Lucas guides you through transforming discarded materials into works of art at his sprawling studio, focusing on simple shaping and assembly techniques.
Where: Tin Man Studio, 9 Lauderdale St, Selma, AL 36701
What you’ll make: A small metalwork piece of a figure or relief reflecting your own sense of story and form
Cost: Starts at $150
How to book: Advanced booking required here

5. Waverly: Printmaking and reinvention with Scott Peek

Standard Deluxe Founder, Designer And Screenprint Artist Scott Peek In His Waverly, Alabama Studio — Learn about screenprinting and create pieces yourself at Standard Deluxe in Waverly. (Top left, Amy Miller; others courtesy of Standard Deluxe)

A Wall Of Screenprinted Posters At Standard Deluxe In Waverly, Alabama — Learn about screenprinting and create pieces yourself at Standard Deluxe in Waverly. (Top left, Amy Miller; others courtesy of Standard Deluxe)

What you’ll learn: Artist and designer Scott Peek welcomes you into the world of Standard Deluxe to explore design, silkscreen printmaking, music and more.
Where: Standard Deluxe, 1015 Mayberry Ave, Waverly, AL 36879
What you’ll make: Screenprinted works, from Standard’s selections to custom designs
Cost: Will vary by project
How to book: Maker’s trail booking experiences coming soon!

6. Seale: Creating assemblages with Butch Anthony

Alabama Artist Butch Anthony In A Portrait With One Of His Works - Cred Steve Plattner — Folk artist Butch Anthony of Seale at his Museum of Wonder in Seale, Alabama (top left, Steve Plattner; others courtesy of Museum of Wonder)

A Collection Of Items Including Bones, Assemblages And Collages Part Of Alabama Artist Butch Anthony'S Museum Of Wonder In Seale, Alabama — Folk artist Butch Anthony of Seale at his Museum of Wonder in Seale, Alabama (top left, Steve Plattner; others courtesy of Museum of Wonder)

What you’ll learn: Folk artist Butch Anthony offers personal tours of his 80-acre Museum of Wonder and leads workshops on assemblage, sharing his knowledge and techniques for blending ideas, collections and storytelling.
Where: Museum of Wonder, 970 AL-169, Seale, AL 36875
What you’ll make: Your very own Cabinet of Curiosity or Memory Jug
Cost: Starts at $55 (tour only)
How to book: Advanced booking required here

We can’t wait to hear about the wonderful things you make on the Black Belt Maker’s Trail!

Map: Black Belt Maker’s Trail

Stay tuned to Alabama Black Belt Adventures as the maker’s trail grows and expands; this region is as abundant in wildly creative people as it is in wildlife, waters and lands.