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“Sip, Paint and Create” venue comes to downtown Bessemer
Art and jazz enthusiasts have a new place to sip and create in Historic Downtown Bessemer. The Art of Jazz, located at 220 19th Street North, held it’s ribbon-cutting and grand-opening on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. The business is owned by Pam Little, wife of Bessemer police officer Myford Little. Members of Mrs. Little’s family, representatives from the Office of Mayor Kenneth Gulley and the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce were on hand for the grand opening. Little describes The Art of Jazz as a place where patrons can “sip, paint and create.” “This is a wonderful place where you can come, relax and be creative,” said Mrs. Little. The Art of Jazz is open primarily on weekends. Hours of operation are from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. However, Mrs. Little said she is willing to accommodate visitors throughout the week with a reservation. The atmosphere at the Art of Jazz is one where patrons reserve a three-hour time slot. Customers can paint a picture from a pre-drawn canvass while relaxing music plays in the background. Customers can bring their own food or have food provided. Portraits are provided by artist Dennis Earley and used as the rendering for guests, but Mrs. Little said patrons are free to interpret the picture in their own way. While jazz is the primary music, Little said she can provide other forms such as gospel and R&B. The venue is great for parties and formal events, she said. “Any formal event you want to have, you can have it here,” Little said. Little says she drew inspiration for the business from her late father, Mr. William Henley, who himself was an artist. “He loved art and he loved jazz,” she said. “Those were his two favorite things.” Little said opening The Art of Jazz required her to “step out on faith”, but when she did, everything flowed smoothly. The Bessemer-resident said she wanted to support her community by opening a new business and searched several locations before deciding to move into the historic downtown. “I felt the best place was downtown Bessemer,” she said. “”I love Bessemer. I’m not a native, but I’ve been here for several years and I just love and support Bessemer.” For more information on the Art of Jazz or to make a reservation, contact Little at 205-253-5078 or via email at theartofjazz@gmail.com.
Pam Little (left) and husband Myford Little (right) pose in front of a canvass at The Art of Jazz on 19th Street North in Bessemer.
