BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Northbound commuters on Red Mountain Expressway may soon see a 120-foot mural that reads, "It's Nice To Have You in Birmingham," if two organizations can raise $9,600 in a crowdfunding campaign.



TrimTab Brewing Co. and Magic City Mural Collective are collaborating on the project, which starts Saturday, July 19, at a fundraiser at TrimTab, 2721 Fifth Ave. South.



MCMC, a group of artists, engineers, designers, philosophers, printmakers, photographers, musicians and others dedicted to improving the aesthetics of the community, has completed several projects in the area. They include a version of the same mural in the East Lake and Woodlawn neighborhoods and another on the wall of John's City Diner. In April they completed "Dream the Unthinkable" at Oddo's Sav-A-Stop in the Smithfield community.



"It is the Magic City Mural Collective's goal to elevate the aesthetic presence of the city we love," said member Creighton Tynes. "We want to inspire people by literally broadcasting positivity from the rooftops."



Founded in January, TrimTab hopes to make their own mark on the community.



Rendering approved by Birmingham Design Review Committee

"TrimTab was founded on the idea of supporting people and organizations that do small actions that produce big positive impacts," said TrimTab founder and CEO Harris Stewart. "We were drawn to the Mural Collective because we share a common belief that we are collectively making this city a better place. We could not imagine a better way to further that than by spreading a positive message, visible to such a large number of people every day, and to engage the community in bringing it about."



Contributions can be made on-site at the fundraiser, and after that donations can be made through the crowdfunding web site, Kickstarter.com. Once the link goes live, it will be found on TrimTab's Facebook and Twitter pages. Levels start at $25 and increase to $1,000. High-end donors receive prizes that include name placement on a public plaque and participation in the mural painting.



"There is no way that we could afford to do this alone," Stewart said. "We want the community to feel a sense of ownership. This does not belong to TrimTab Brewing Co. This will belong to the people of Birmingham."



The mural's slogan has been used since the 1950s to promote Birmingham, and the project has been approved by the Birmingham Design Review Committee.



The fundraiser takes place during TrimTab's regular business hours, which are 1-11 p.m. Marian McKay & Her Mood Swings will play jazz, and Fresh Off the Bun food truck will at the site at 5 p.m.







