EVA’s Resident Artists
LaDonna Smith
EVA’s founder and artistic director, LaDonna Smith, is a visionary improvisational musician, violinist, and interdisciplinary artist whose career spans over five decades of experimental sound, performance, and visual art. A pioneering figure in the international free improvisation movement, she has performed thousands of concerts across North America, Europe, and Asia—including landmark performances in Cairo, Copenhagen, and Seoul.
As a lifelong Alabama resident and performer, Smith helped bring avant-garde music and experimental art to the American South, forging new creative communities through performance and pedagogy. She has appeared on over 50 recordings and collaborated with some of the world’s most renowned improvisers and composers. Her work bridges surrealism, sonic exploration, and cultural memory, often integrating drawing, collage, ceramic sculpture, and assemblage.
Her performance venues span from the Roulette Intermedia in Brooklyn to the International Exhibition of Surrealism in Cairo. She has hosted and curated experimental music and art events at East Village Arts in Birmingham, which she helped establish as a home for grassroots creative expression.
Craig Legg
Craig Legg is a multidisciplinary artist, storyteller, and cultural historian whose work has profoundly influenced Birmingham's creative landscape for over three decades. As the Artist-in-Residence at East Village Arts (EVA) since 2019, Legg brings a rich tapestry of experiences that encompass painting, poetry, performance, and community engagement.
Legg's acclaimed Trading Card Series stands as a testament to his dedication to preserving and celebrating local culture. This series includes extensive collections like the History of Birmingham Rock & Roll and Alabama Roots Music, each comprising over 300 paintings that document the musicians, venues, and cultural moments that have shaped Alabama's musical heritage. His work not only captures the essence of these histories but also educates and inspires new generations of artists and audiences.
Beyond his visual art, Legg has been instrumental in fostering community through various roles—concert promoter, bookstore owner, and event organizer. His initiatives often blur the lines between art and life, creating immersive experiences that invite public participation and dialogue.
At EVA, Legg continues to mentor emerging artists, curate exhibitions, and lead workshops that emphasize the importance of storytelling and cultural preservation. To learn more about Legg’s work, check out the following links:
Clifford McPeek
Clifford McPeek is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and musician whose work spans music performance, composition, education, and experimental visual art. With a career rooted in creative community engagement, Clifford brings a dynamic range of experiences to Voices of the Village: RISE.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education, McPeek has taught and performed across the Southeast for more than three decades. His talents have been showcased internationally, from performances for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican to serving as a Fringe Festival Ambassador in Edinburgh, Scotland. He has held leadership roles with numerous marching bands, experimental ensembles, and arts education initiatives—working as both conductor and performer.
McPeek’s artistic contributions include tenure with Royal Caribbean cruise orchestras, avant-garde collaborations at New Orleans’ Music Box Village, and cast-iron performance exhibitions featured at Sloss Furnaces and national arts conferences. He has served as Artist-in-Residence with Art Klub, New Orleans, and taught at institutions across Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Whether leading a parade, mentoring students, or improvising in performance, McPeek is committed to community-centered creativity and artistic experimentation. His vibrant vision and lifelong dedication to music education make him a key contributor to RISE and a celebrated figure in the Southern arts landscape.
Barry Marks
Poet and visual artist Barry Marks is one of EVA’s newest resident artists. Check back soon to see a gallery of his work.
Daryl Cox
Daryl Cox is a digital satirist of the Third WORST kind. Artist, writer, comedian, musician, and very poor actor. Only thoughts. Never prayers. Remaining brain cells full of smoke and cynicism. Check back soon to see a gallery of his work.
