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Miriam's art studio—a brief history

Finding adequate studio space for an artist can be challenging, even if an artist owns their own home. For this reason, many artists choose to rent outside studio space. Miriam has been fortunate to have a dedicated art studio in her home for most of her career.

Miriam drawing and painting at Inlet Beach, Florida, 2018..
The old dental cabinet of Miriam's husband now used to store art supplies.
The old dental cabinet of Miriam's husband now used to store art supplies.
The art studio mid-1990s.
The art studio mid-1990s.
The art studio mid-1990s.
The art studio mid-1990s.
The apartment studio in the mid-1970s from the painting "The Studio" by Miriam McClung
The apartment studio in the mid-1970s from the painting "The Studio" by Miriam McClung
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A permanent space to create art

1973-2014

In the early 1970’s, Miriam lived in an apartment complex in Birmingham off Montclair Road. When she moved into a home in the late 1970’s, the home came with a garage converted into a large family room with high ceilings and superb light. Initially the room doubled as a playroom for her son, Frank, though it later became a dedicated art studio and has remained so for forty years. And the studio itself has been the both the subject of and inspiration for many of Miriam’s works.

Then came the flood

2014-2015

Over the years, many have helped improve the studio storage and functionality. Several groups and individuals from Briarwood Church in Birmingham donated their time to upgrade and renovate the studio. In 2014 the studio significantly flooded after heavy spring rain with over a foot of water getting into the studio. Fortunately, most of the paintings were safely off the floor on stands, so there was very little water damage to the artwork except for a few drawings. Remediating the water damage and remodeling the studio took over a year of work, during which time all the work had to be moved into storage. Walls were removed and replaced, electrical brought up to code, new storage shelving created, and a complete inventory of Miriam’s work begun.
Miriam surveying her artwork in storage while the studio flood remediation and remodeling work is done.
Miriam surveying her artwork in storage while the studio flood remediation and remodeling work is done.
Large works were moved to safety before the flood.
Large works were moved to safety before the flood.
Frames drying out in the sun after the flood.
Frames drying out in the sun after the flood.
Moving artwork back into the studio after the 2014 flood.
Moving artwork back into the studio after the 2014 flood.
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A studio reborn

2015-Present

Today the Birmingham art studio continues to serve as a working creative space and permanent, climate-controlled storage for all Miriam’s art. The surrounding back yard has also been an important part of the “out studio” environment providing plenty of opportunity for inspiration and plein air painting. If you would like to see Miriam’s studio and her work, please contact us for an appointment.

Miriam signing the back of a work ready to be delivered to a church.
Photographing larger artwork in the studio.
Light coming through a glass in the studio window. Photograph by Miriam McClung.
Painting paper airplanes for the work "The Blue Airplane" by Miriam McClung which commemorates those lost in 9/11.
The back yard outside the studio.
Looking out the back windows of the studio into the yard.
The back yard outside the studio.
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