Avondale Map

Watercolor mixed-media illustration

Avondale Map

I submitted this map for the "They Draw and Travel" (TDAT) Mapping Special Places contest, and it was selected for inclusion in the Mapping Special Places book (published in March 2020). The book is a compilation of the 100 best maps submitted to the Mapping Special Places contest. Click here to preview and purchase the book.

This place is special to me because I have watched it transform yet still maintain strong ties to its history during my 13 years living here. An historic neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama, Avondale joins the old and the new, with a focus on community. Avondale has grown from a small settlement clustered around a spring to a thriving entertainment district, spurred by the natural beauty and heritage of Avondale Park. Local businesses pay tribute to Miss Fancy, the elephant that lived in the park during its brief stint as a zoo. They also celebrate the former occupants of their buildings (post office, firehouse, saloon), while poised to craft memorable stories of their own. The area fosters a community spirit, from casual eateries, watering holes, shops and live music venues, to church cookouts and outreach programs. Even the ducks contribute to that sense of community, as they swim and hang out together in the park. I love my neighborhood!