Sponsored<\/p>\n
Jennifer \u5f35\u00a0Crandall, the director of the Whitman, Alabama documentary (left) and the Tuskegee University school mascot. (The Whitman, Alabama Project)<\/p>\n
As America approaches its 250th birthday this summer, a powerful new art installation is arriving at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)<\/a>, offering travelers a valuable chance to pause and reflect thanks to a free-to-watch film series.<\/p>\n Beginning Wednesday, July 1, visitors passing through BHM can experience Whitman, Alabama<\/a>, an acclaimed documentary film project by filmmaker and artist Jennifer \u5f35 Crandall<\/a> that explores identity, community and the shared American experience through the voices of everyday Alabamians.<\/p>\n See why this installation is worth checking out when taking your next flight in or out of the BHM airport this summer.<\/p>\n What is Whitman, Alabama?<\/p>\n Check out one participant reading the first verse of \u201cSong of Myself\u201d in the below clip.\ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Virginia Mae Schmitt, filmed in Birmingham, reading the first verse of Walt Whitman\u2019s \u201cSong of Myself\u201d (The Whitman, Alabama Project)<\/p>\n Created over several years, Whitman, Alabama, is a series of short films featuring Alabamians from diverse backgrounds sharing moments from their everyday lives.<\/p>\n The result is a living portrait of Alabama that, at its heart, asks a simple question: Who gets to represent the American story? Crandall says Whitman\u2019s vision of a democratic voice belonging to everyone inspired the work.<\/p>\n \u201cWalt Whitman was trying to develop a voice that could encompass us all, so my project became a question of amplifying this idea about who gets to claim the American voice. All of us\u2014America past and present, North, South, East and West.\u201d<\/p>\n Jennifer \u5f35\u00a0Crandall, Creator\/Director, Whitman, Alabama<\/p>\n Whitman, Alabama will join the art experiences at BHM starting July 1, 2026<\/p>\n Airports are places of constant movement, urgency and transition. For Crandall, that\u2019s exactly what makes BHM the perfect home for this installation.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always wanted Whitman, Alabama to be shown in places where people encounter it unexpectedly\u2014where they stumble upon it and discover something that might alter their day a little.\u201d<\/p>\n Jennifer \u5f35\u00a0Crandall, Creator\/Director, Whitman, Alabama<\/p>\n The project draws inspiration from Walt Whitman\u2019s iconic poem \u201cSong of Myself,\u201d<\/a> which sought to embrace the many voices and perspectives that make up America.<\/p>\n What makes Alabama the perfect subject?<\/p>\n Though Crandall has lived around the world\u2014from Ethiopia and Pakistan to California and New York\u2014Alabama became one of the places she calls home after first visiting in 2013.<\/p>\n What began as a short freelance assignment evolved into a much deeper relationship with the state and its people\u2014revealing Alabama as the perfect mirror to reflect the broader American experience back to viewers.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you look at Alabama closely enough, it will reveal the whole country.\u201d<\/p>\n Jennifer \u5f35\u00a0Crandall, Creator\/Director, Whitman, Alabama<\/p>\n Enjoy Whitman, Alabama before your next flight at BHM<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re departing on vacation, returning home or simply making a connection, the BHM x Whitman, Alabama<\/a> installation invites locals and visitors alike to take a moment to reflect.<\/p>\n Crandall hopes travelers and airport employees alike will find something familiar\u2014and maybe even surprising\u2014in the stories on display.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyone can find themselves somewhere in Whitman, Alabama. Maybe they walk in curious and walk out even more so\u2014with a renewed sense for how they are connected to the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Jennifer \u5f35\u00a0Crandall, Creator\/Director, Whitman, Alabama<\/p>\n She intentionally avoids telling audiences what they should take away from the work. Instead, she hopes visitors enter into a conversation with it.<\/p>\n Looking ahead to America\u2019s 250th<\/p>\n As communities nationwide prepare to commemorate the nation\u2019s 250th birthday, Whitman, Alabama<\/a> arrives to the BHM airport at a fitting moment.<\/p>\n For Crandall, she hopes the country\u2019s anniversary encourages Americans to think more intentionally about who they are, who they want to become and what they share.<\/p>\n \u201cAmerica is in the process of becoming, it always has been.\u201d<\/p>\n Jennifer \u5f35\u00a0Crandall, Creator\/Director, Whitman, Alabama<\/p>\n For travelers passing through Birmingham this summer, Whitman, Alabama offers a brief but meaningful reminder that every journey is connected to a larger story. <\/p>\n Plan your visit: Whitman, Alabama opens July 1 at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.<\/a> Learn more about the project at WhitmanAlabama.com.<\/a><\/p>\n Traveling through BHM this summer? Post a comment on our social media letting us know your take-aways from Whitman, Alabama\u2014remember to tag us at @bhamnow<\/a>!<\/p>\n Sponsored by:<\/p>\n![\"two](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/birminghamshuttlesworthinternationalairport-11.jpg\" "\\"New")
BHM has a long history of displaying Alabama-forward art and artists (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n![\"family](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03_Han_and_Dang_PMA.jpg\" "\\"New")
Eva, Han, and Dang Nguyen get ready to read verse 10 of Walt Whitman\u2019s \u201cSong of Myself\u201d for the project. (Pierre Kattar \/ The Whitman, Alabama Project)<\/p>\n![\"Travelers](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/birminghamshuttlesworthinternationalairport-26-scaled-e1756414931656-1200x630.jpg\" "\\"New")
Whitman, Alabama will be on display at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport beginning July 1, 2026. (Nathan Watson \/ Bham Now)<\/p>\n![\"woman](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/01_CRANDALL_AND_BILLY_PMA.jpg\" "\\"New")
Billy Wayne Corkerin and his wife Lucy listen as Jennifer \u5f35\u00a0Crandall explains the Whitman, Alabama documentary project. (Pierre Kattar \/ The Whitman, Alabama Project)<\/p>\n![\"Birmingham](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BirminghamAirportAuthority.png\" "\\"New")
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