Okay, okay…no more trash jokes. We get it; they were so last semester! If you have no idea what I’m referencing, maybe a little refresher is in order. In the fall of 2021, the Aura Review embarked on a huge project to bring awareness to the effects of pollution. In true “Aura” fashion, we did it through art. In collaboration with three other UAB student organizations, we created and installed three incredible sculptures, all from trash we collected on campus.
But…you probably knew that. We were pretty persistent about our advertising for the project, after all. So, let’s “talk trash” about something else.
Although we tend to write mostly about UAB, today we are shedding some light on the great accomplishments of Birmingham-Southern College (BSC), specifically on their work with the environment. The Southern Environmental Center (SEC) at Birmingham-Southern College is an interactive, art-based museum that serves to show the community how they can better “protect and improve” their local area. Featuring a multitude of sculptures, paintings, and even films dedicated to environmentalism, the SEC also boasts their award-winning EcoScape program— an immersive experience that utilizes “local art work to illustrate organic gardening practices, offer outdoor classrooms, and offer urban neighborhoods a pocket of green space for rest and recreation.”
Talk about “talking trash” with art! 
The SEC museum is mere minutes from downtown Birmingham, and the EcoScape program can be found in various places throughout the city, including BSC’s campus. Both are open to the public year-round and are an absolute must-do if you’re a Birmingham resident or just passing through!
Photos courtesy of BSC Southern Environmental Center.
