Alabama has, over its history, been claimed by Spain, France, and Great Britain, as well as the Native American tribes who had been there for centuries. In 1819, the state was finally admitted as the 22nd in the Union. The land has always been valued for its natural resources, rich, fertile soil, and proximity to the Mississippi River and the Atlantic Ocean.
Today it is one of the most important economic engines in the South. It has a beautiful natural environment as well as bustling urban centers and quaint, laid-back small towns. All of the major universities and liberal arts colleges offer arts degrees, and there are several technical institutions offering degrees in the design, architectural, and technical art fields. Alabama’s cities contain several diverse art galleries, and its smaller towns house galleries of Native American, African American, and Folk Art.