Wildcard Pop-Up at Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment

Wildcard isn't your typical art exhibit — it's a collaborative puzzle where families work together to unlock 13 hand-painted pieces through conversation, music, and creative problem-solving. Birmingham artist Carey Fountain transforms the entire room into a participatory artwork, where each unlocked theme reveals another piece of a larger mystery image. Whether the group completes all 13 pieces before time runs out or leaves the work unfinished, the result becomes an honest reflection of what the community built together in real time. The free pop-up takes place Saturday, October 3 at 4:00 PM in Lowe Mill's First Floor Connector. Families can drop in to contribute ideas anonymously to Wildcard's Cultural Archive and earn Vibe Tokens — part of a local exchange system that supports area artists and small businesses. The activation also includes a live performance of "Fright to Vote," where Fountain builds the beat from scratch and explores themes of civic participation through music and painting. This experience works especially well for kids ages 5-14 who enjoy hands-on creativity and group challenges. Younger children can participate through prompts and visual clues, while older kids and teens will appreciate the problem-solving aspects and the chance to see their contributions shape the outcome. Come prepared to think out loud, respond to what others share, and help decode what emerges when a room full of strangers decides to collaborate.