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April is National Poetry Month, and at the ArtsXchange, we’re celebrating with a powerful weekend of spoken word, storytelling, and community in partnership with South Fulton Arts and with sponsorship from Fidelity Charitable. Poetry and slam remain popular today because they provide writers, both young and old, with two unique and powerful ways to express complex emotions, explore the human experience, and foster empathy and understanding—qualities that are essential in our current times. Writing Out Loud POETRY Weekend  brings together voices to honor the beauty and impact of poetry. From the electrifying Madmen and Poets  kickoff to the high-stakes Spring Fling $1,000 Poetry Slam , this weekend is a tribute to the forty year literary legacy that has shaped our community. A highlight of the weekend is the Celebrating Our Literary Legacy  reading and panel, featuring members of the Atlanta Writing Resource Center. This free event on Saturday, April 26th, from 4–6 PM  will showcase performances by BIPOC poets, with a special tribute to poet and editor Malkia M’Buzi Moore , who founded the Atlanta Writing Resource Center in 1986 and propelled the ArtsXchange’s literary tradition forward. Featured poets include Felton Eaddy, Jacqui Marie Gordon, Opal Moore, Malkia M’Buzi Moore, and Michael Simanga , with music by Kenito  and a panel moderated by Janice Liddell . Following the event, join us for a reception sponsored by Fidelity Charitable, featuring delicious offerings from Anisa Lewis of Unsolicited Cooking Advice . Since the founding of the Atlanta Writer Resource Center in 1986 and the launch of the AXC Literary Program in 2019, literature has been at the heart of our mission. We honor the visionaries who paved the way— Malkia M’Buzi Moore , whose leadership brought world-class poets into our orbit, and Theresa Davis , who continues to expand the literary landscape with innovative workshops, open mics, and the introduction of our slam tradition. Today, the AXC Literary Program is a thriving force, hosting over 60 events annually and fostering intergenerational connections through poetry and storytelling. Join us as we celebrate the voices that shape our world, uplift our stories, and keep the art of poetry and storytelling alive! Poetry Out Loud Weekend at the ArtsXchange In Partnership with South Fulton Arts and Fidelity Charitable April 25-26, 2025 MadMen & Poets TICKETS $10 Fri. Apr 25, 2025 8:00PM "MadMen & Poets  is the brainchild of Theresa Davis , where comedy improv collides with poetry for a night of laughter and contemplation. This one-of-a-kind showdown featuring Crazy Sexy Cool  the razor-sharp improv team mash it up with  Theresa’s lineup of thought-provoking poets, blending quick-witted humor with the power of spoken word co hosted with Mark Kendall." Poets Nikki Gray  Mia Willis  Ryan J Mark Kendal Crazy Sexy Cool Ensemble Reese Garcia Lenise Lyons Nikki Radford Akia Sembly Preethi Sundararaman Thomas Trinh Brittany Venzen Writing Workshops Sat. Apr 26, 2025 10AM - 12PM 1PM - 3PM Opal Moore – "Writing Back" Sat. Apr 26, 2025 | $10 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Riley Memorial Library This workshop invites writers to respond in their own voices to a well-known or meaningful poem or short prose work. Inspired by the work of the late Palestinian poet and professor, Refaat Alareer. Mr. Funn – "Self-Publishing" Sat. Apr 26, 2025 | $10 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Robeson Theater An insightful workshop on the essentials of publishing, covering copyrights, securing an ISBN, working with publishing companies, and self-publishing. Amena Brown – "Bring Your Unfinished Poem" Sat. Apr 26, 2025 | $10 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Ebon Dooley Community Room Stuck on a poem? Bring your unfinished work for a session of workshopping, writing, and sharing! Boris "Bluz" Rogers – "Funny Side-Up" Sat. Apr 26, 2025 | $10 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Robeson Theater Explore the humorous side of poetry with exercises and prompts to add to your poetic toolkit. Talicha J – "Golden Shovel: An Homage to Form in Black Poetics" Sat. Apr 26, 2025 | $10 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Riley Memorial Library Participants will explore the Golden Shovel form through the works of Black poets such as Patricia Smith, Jae Nichelle, and Taylor Byas. Johnathan Samuel Eddie – "Say? What! Now?" Sat. Apr 26, 2025 | $10 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Ebon Dooley Community Room Is your poem suffering from a bad case of the "blahs"? Learn how to bring back its sparkle, energy, and impact! Celebrating the Roots of our Literary Legacy: A Reading and Panel Discussion FREE Event Sat. Apr 26, 2025 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM  Performances by BIPOC poets, featuring a tribute to poet & editor Malkia M’Buzi Moore, who propelled the ArtsXchange’s literary tradition with the Atlanta Writing Resource Center in 1986. Performances from Felton Eaddy, Jacqui Marie Gordon, Opal Moore, Malkia M'Buzi Moore and Michael Simanga. Music by Kenito. Panel moderator - Janice Liddell. From the opening of the Atlanta Writer Resource Center in 1986 to the AXC Literary Program in 2019, literature and literacy have been at the core of our programming. Join us as we pay tribute to Malkia M’Buzi Moore, who started us on this long history of writing programs and brought celebrated poets like Maya Angelou and John Oliver Killens among others into our orbit. To Theresa Davis, who has continued that literary tradition with innovative classes and open mics to the introduction of our Slam tradition. Today, the literary program is a centerpiece of our community work, reaching multiple generations and offering over 60 events a year. RECEPTION TO FOLLOW - Unsolicited Cooking Advice Welcome by Alice Lovelace, ArtsXchange Executive Director MC: Kenneth Zakee Panel Moderator - Janice Liddell 2025 Spring Fling Poetry Slam TICKETS | $20 ADV | $25 AT THE DOOR Sat. Apr 26, 2025 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM Doors Open and List Posting: 7:30 pm Slam starts: 8pm Poetry Slam Rules: Competition Format: Winner-takes-all/ cumulative score Rounds: 3 rounds Time Limit per Poet: 3 minutes, 10 seconds Number of Competing Poets: 12 12 poets in the first round 8 poets in the second round 4 poets in the third round Judges: 5 judges will determine the winner Restrictions: No props, no music, no costumes, only original work allowed` Prizes: 1st place $1,000 2nd place $300 3rd place $200 Tips for Participants: Bring your A-game, as it's a winner-takes-all competition. Ensure your poetry is within the 3-minute 10 seconds  time limit Remember, no props, no music, no costumes and only original work are allowed. If you decide to participate, make sure to arrive early to secure your spot on the list (you cannot have someone sign you up, a ticket does not guarantee a spot in the slam), and best of luck in the Poetry Slam!  Doors Open and List Posting: 7:30 pm In partnership with South Fulton Arts. Additional sponsors Atlanta Writers Club The Southeast Community Cultural Center d/b/a the ArtsXchange is supported by business donors, annual members, and individuals like you. We are thankful for the support from the Threshold Foundation, Fulton County Arts & Culture under the guidance of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Fidelity Charitable, The Community Corps, Georgia Council for the Arts under the guidance of the State of Georgia Legislators and support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Our Environmental Justice Accelerator work is funded by Partnership for Southern Equity with funding from The Greening of America’s Cities, and Shades of Green Permaculture. Our literary programs are presented in partnership with South Fulton Arts, The Official Accommodation Provider - Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North and The Atlanta Writer's Club. We encourage you to become a donor or member today!

Tune in at 10 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 22 (on WSB-TV channel 2 in Atlanta). In other cities/states, please check your local listings at www.kellyclarksonshow.com/wheretowatch . Executive Director Alice Lovelace and Brandy Hall of Shades of Green Permaculture will share our garden project with the world! Huge thanks to Shades of Green for donating the redesign of our front yard into a permaculture wonderland; and to our funders, Partnership for Southern Equity and Greening America's Cities. Kelly Clarkson Show TikTok: @kellyclarksonshow | Instagram: @kellyclarksonshow  | Twitter: @kellyclarksontv  | Facebook: @kellyclarksonshow  | YouTube: youtube.com/c/kellyclarksonshow Kelly Clarkson: @kellyclarkson Imagine a space where artists find inspiration, neighbors gather, and the land thrives—where art and ecology unite to uplift and sustain our communities.   Your contribution will help ArtsXchange transform its front yard into that place: a permaculture wonderland for the community to use and enjoy!   Please donate today. Grow with us. Why This Project Matters   The landscapes we live in shape our daily lives. Yet, conventional landscapes—lawns, paved lots, and chemically-treated spaces—are failing us. They deplete our soils, waste water, and strip our communities of biodiversity. These problems aren't just aesthetic or environmental; they impact everyone—our food, our water, our health, and our future.   This project reimagines what a community greenspace can be: • Designed for and by the community • A thriving, biodiverse ecosystem that filters rainwater, nourishes pollinators, and grows organic food • A gathering space for artists, educators, and activists • A model for regenerative landscaping—one that restores the land   The Film   Led by Shades of Green Permaculture—with 16 years of experience in regenerative landscaping—and captured by award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Banks, this film documents The ArtsXchange and its transformation of an overlooked and underutilized greenspace into a thriving, resilient ecosystem. This isn’t just a story of a single garden—it’s a vision for the future of our shared landscapes.   Your Donation Directly Funds:   • A water system to capture and filter rainwater, protecting the land and the building foundation • Native plants, edible gardens, and pollinator habitats for a resilient, multifunctional landscape • Film production, editing, and distribution to spread this knowledge far and wide   Every dollar brings us closer to a future where landscapes heal communities, where artists are supported, and where community spaces flourish without barriers. VOLUNTEER WITH US! Permaculture Volunteer Day | 10 am - 2 pm | April 26 Please bring work gloves. Tools will be provided. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. The Southeast Community Cultural Center d/b/a the ArtsXchange is supported by business donors, annual members, and individuals like you. We are thankful for the support from the Threshold Foundation, Fulton County Arts & Culture under the guidance of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Fidelity Charitable, The Community Corps, Georgia Council for the Arts under the guidance of the State of Georgia Legislators and support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Our literary programs are presented in partnership with South Fulton Arts. The official accommodation provider is Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North. We encourage you to become a donor or member today!

Fun with Surveillance by Dennis Coburn A.K.A. Mr Boom We are delighted to announce the winners of Reclaimed Visions: The Art of Upcycling juried show. This exhibit is a celebration of creativity and sustainability, showcasing the remarkable talents of artists who have embraced the principles of upcycling. Each piece submitted to the show is a testament to the artists' innovative approaches to transforming discarded materials into stunning works of art. The exhibition features an impressive array of creations that highlight the powerful potential of what many consider waste. Reclaimed Visions: The Art of Upcycling - Artist Talk Sat. April 19, 2025 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Free | Open to the Public Come hear about the amazing works of the Reclaimed Visions artists who have transformed discarded materials into thought-provoking works of art. 1st Place Winner Fun with Surveillance by Dennis Coburn A.K.A. Mr Boom 2024 Reclaimed children's play structure, plastic food baskets, found object, paint, hardware Fun with Surveillance by Dennis Coburn A.K.A. Mr Boom 2nd Place Winner Trashwork - Cornflowers by Cathy Ehrler 2021 This creation shows how to turn waste into wonder. Post-consumer waste (wine boxes, aluminum cans, old CD's, etc.) is transformed into a mosaic masterpiece. The only products used in creating this beauty are glue and water-based non-toxic sealer. No paint or other coloring is used. The material has been cut into tiles and tediously glued to a substrate that is also recycled. The frame was purchased from a thrift store. This piece serves as a powerful reminder of the vast amount of waste in our society, urging awareness. By turning waste into beauty, Cathy aims to raise awareness about the overwhelming trash in our world, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices. Trashwork  - Cornflowers by Cathy Ehrler 3rd Place Winner Plastic me pretty by Felina Martin 2023 Wearable Art - Reclaimed plastic bags Felina is a fashion designer, artist, author and leader in the nonprofit sector. She has served as a community connector and leader in the nonprofit industry for over 20 years. Her roles ranged from Executive Director to President, where she has led various businesses, nonprofits and boards to success in capacity building, fund development, and marketing. She currently serves as the Senior Public Affairs and Communications Advisor for NeighborWorks Southern Region. Felina has a bachelor's degree from the University of West Florida, graduate of the Nonprofit Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School and serves as a Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP). Plastic me pretty  by Felina Martin Honorable Mention Ancestral Headphones I  by John Chase Campbell 2018 Assemblage - Hand-cut paper, fabric, headphones, feathers My intention, as an artist, is to perpetuate and elevate the culture as I strive to create divinely inspired artwork. My art is a physical manifestation of a dialogue among three influential narratives; my heritage, my ancestors and my lived experience. The works submitted for this exhibit are from my art series, Message from the Ancestors. My use of media, including found and repurposed objects and traditional art material, seeks to occupy the interstitial spaces between the ancient and the contemporary, western and nonwestern aesthetics and to bridge the physical world with that of spirit. Ancestral Headphones I  by John Chase Campbell You are invited to come see the works up close at the Jack Sinclair Gallery! Reclaimed Visions: The Art of Upcycling On view at the ArtsXchange April 12, 2025 - May 24, 2025 Free | Open to the Public Gallery Hours Tuesday - Saturday 10AM - 6PM Reclaimed Visions: The Art of Upcycling - Artist Talk Sat. April 19, 2025 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Free | Open to the Public Come hear about the amazing works of the Reclaimed Visions Artists who have transformed discarded materials into thought-provoking works. Reclaimed Visions: The Art of Upcycling coincides with the ArtsXchange Awareness Day on Saturday, April 19, 2025 — a day of workshops, hands-on training, and discussions focused on sustainability. 2025 ArtsXchange Environmental Awareness Day Sat. April 19, 2025 10:00 PM – 5:00 PM FREE | ArtsXchange invites you to an exciting and impactful Environmental Awareness Day in East Point, GA! Join us for a day of workshops, hands-on training, and discussions focused on sustainability. Something for the whole family.

Sarah Oso 2020 Ebon Dooley Honoree Emerging Leader https://www.facebook.com/sarah.oso.501 Sarah O. Oso (she/her) is a first-generation immigrant and proud Atlanta resident, she commits to honoring the human experience through highlighting the importance of spoken and written expression. Her poetry crosses the bounds of genre and language and often explores the intimacies of identity, heritage, human connection, and faith. Numerous local readings and art events, including the annual AJC Decatur Book Festival, Poetry at Tech, and 2019 Agnes Scott Writers’ Festival, have featured Oso’s work, and her poetry has been Pushcart Prize-nominated, currently appearing in New Ohio Review , Rigorous , and Helen Literary Magazine , among others. Oso is a recent Stamps President’s Scholar graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology (’19), where she earned B.S. degrees in both Public Policy and Applied Language/Intercultural Studies and engaged in the research of social themes, focusing on healthcare disparity, food security, diversity impact, multimodal storytelling, advocacy, and activism. By day, she works closely with the community as a legal team associate, with an emphasis on immigration rights and aiding and empowering immigrants in navigating regulations and obtaining protected status. OUR STAFF STUDIO ARTIST EBON DOOLEY HONOREES

Counter Narrative Project 2024 - Ebon Dooley Honoree Social Justice Champion info@counternarrative.org https://www.thecounternarrative.org Founded by Charles Stephens in 2014, the Counter Narrative Project is a narrative change organization that stands in the tradition of Bayard Rustin, James Baldwin, Essex Hemphill, and other movement leaders, artists, organizers, and visionaries committed to countering narratives and speaking truth to power. CNP shifts narratives about Black gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men to change policy and improve lives. OUR STAFF STUDIO ARTIST EBON DOOLEY HONOREES

Climate Change FINAL WARNING Climate Change: FINAL WARNING ArtsXchange Juried Exhibition July 15, 2023 - Aug. 26, 2023 CURATORS Lisa Tuttle Ric Washington Cleigaie Narcisse ARTIST Ugo Agoruah - Lisa Alembik - Jim Alexander - Vanna Black - Carl D. Christian - Sharon B Dowdell - Samuel Guilford - Oscar Harris - Amber Higgenbottom - Amanda Hubbard - Oxana Kovalchuk - Kamille Mayes - Mery Lynn McCorkle - Herman McClenton - Michael Morgan - Marcella Muhammad - Cyrus Nelson - Shalea Niles - Claudia O'Steen - Elaine Pawlowicz - Mary L. Peng - Sandy Teepen - Lisa Tuttle - Ric Washington - Daniel Wingo The world has been pushed to the brink of irrevocable damage that only swift and drastic action can avert. Artists in this exhibition have an opportunity to raise awareness about this crisis, advocate for policy reform, and empower and inspire viewers to take action in their own way. Congrats to the winners, all applicants & thanks to guest judge Kevin Sipp! 1st - Mary L. Peng (Boston) 2nd - Kamille Mayes (Atlanta) 3rd - Carl D Christian (Atlanta) Honorable Mention - Samuel Guilford (Atlanta) Exhibit Video - Closing Event About the Judge Kevin Sipp is a fine artist, scholar and curator with expertise in printmaking, painting, sculpture and multimedia installation. His foundational aesthetic focus examines the spiritual, political, social, and historical influence of African-derived culture in the world, often making references to African Myth, Afro-Futurism, Cultural Identity, Colonial History, past and contemporary music, politics and comics. Sipp, who is also a poet and speaker, is the cultural affairs and public art coordinator for the city of Atlanta, a curator at the Hammonds House, and a teaching artist at the High Museum. About the Curators Lisa Tuttle is a mixed-media artist, curator, advocate, educator and writer. A former lead administrator with the Fulton County Public Art Program and gallery director for the Nexus Contemporary Art Center (now Atlanta Contemporary) and Atlanta College of Art, Lisa was also the visual arts director for the Arts Festival of Atlanta. Ric Washington , mixed-media artist, graphic designer and educator, studied at Kansas City Art Institute & School of Design. The former curator of art and graphics at Zoo Atlanta worked on award-winning conservation education projects throughout the U.S. and East Africa. He is now a designer and print specialist for Fulton County Schools. APPLICATION INFORMATION NEW APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 19, 2023 Entry fee: $25 ArtsXchange members, $35 non-members, or $40 entry & membership Notification of Acceptance: Friday, June 23, 2023 Opening Reception: 6-9 p.m. July 8, 2023 Artists talk: 1-3 p.m. July 22, 2023 Cash Awards: 1st $300 | 2nd $200 | 3rd $100 Questions? Email info@artsxchange.org All Exhibits