JILL MARLAR

For over 25 years, Jill has worked with young children and youth in art, music, and drama through her small business Music Makers. She is a trained singer, voiceover artist, and actress A self proclaimed “Jill of many trades” grounded in teaching, with extensions into visual arts, acting, baking, and songwriting. Jill’s business path began in 2001 with teaching music classes after school that later expanded into a thriving enrichment experience for after school students of all ages throughout the year.

Her artwork flows between painting and printmaking known for her intaglio etchings featuring historic landmarks often combined with nostalgic images inspired by mid 19th century photographs. In 2019 she and her husband James Little opened Filter Coffee Parlor in the heart of Birmingham Alabama’s historic Five Points South district. During that time, Delta Dawn Scones and the Little Ruby Cookie were created by Jill and quickly became a favorite for customers. In 2024 they sold their beloved shop following a nudge to move to both their deep family roots. Now living in Greenville Alabama she is building arts outreach for all ages across Butler county through her businesses and non profit MuseALABAMA.

For Jill, making something out of anything is what she learned from her mother along with a zest for business from her father. “They both told me I could do anything I wanted to in life and I believed them.”