By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Steve McGinty fell in love with art as a teenager at Fultondale High School.

Now, more than 30 years later, he’d like to get others to discover their inner artist with the help of his new business, Art After Hours.

The venture allows artists or non-artists to sign up for a class and be taught how to paint a particular piece over the course of a two-hour period. At the end of the evening, each person is able to take his or her artwork home with them.

McGinty got the idea for his business after visiting Sips and Strokes classes and noticing there were no empty seats and that the participants were enjoying themselves. However, there was no such place in north Jefferson County for those who wanted to try their luck at painting a potential masterpiece.

The business officially opened about three weeks ago and McGinty said he’s already had a great response.

“One Tuesday we had 25 people come and everybody had a great time,” he said. “It’s going to take a little while for the word to get around, but so far it’s been very successful.”

McGinty, 46, has had a varied career as an artist and businessman over the course of his life. After falling in love with the art of airbrushing, he followed his passion to Panama City Beach in 1982, airbrushing art on the beach. He stayed there until 1988 and then went briefly to Daytona Beach before returning to Birmingham.

Once back home, he operated a T-shirt shop at Century Plaza until 1994. After selling that business, he dedicated his time to operating Carnival Cotton Candy, a business he began with his wife, Terri. The McGintys sold their product to video and grocery stores in 48 states.

However, Terri McGinty passed away in 1998 and though he kept the business going through 2000, his heart wasn’t in it. Steve McGinty then returned to his first love, art.

“A friend introduced me to the stained glass business and I started painting on glass and making stained glass for windows,” he said. “I’ve probably got art in about 200 churches.”

Working for Leeds Stained Glass, McGinty is sent the pieces of glass which he paints, fires and sends back to the business. “Usually, I don’t even know where it’s going,” he said. “I don’t get to see the finished product most of the time.”

Despite the success he’s had with painted stained glass, McGinty said he wanted to open his new business to give those in the community the opportunity to connect with art and potentially discover a talent they didn’t know they had. Opening the business also represents a sort of homecoming, as it is located at 1114 Main Street, which is where Carnival Cotton Candy was also located.

“I think people wonder if they could do it or not, but they haven’t had the opportunity,” he said. “With this, they can come in for one evening and have fun and see what kind of art ability they have. A lot of people come in and say, ‘I can’t even draw a stick man’ but are excited when they leave.”

Those interested in signing up for an Art After Hours class can do so at www.artafterhrs.com. The site features a schedule of events and the price per class. The business can also be reached at 613-0405.