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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.

Explore the complete interview of The Local Take With Kiplyn Primus as she engages with Dr. Danny Campbell, discussing his role as a jurist and his dynamic life as an artist and art educator. Full Interview https://www.wclk.com/show/the-local-take-with-kiplyn-primus/2025-04-19/reclaimed-vision-the-art-of-upcycling-through-may-24th-at-the-artsxchange

Juried Exhibition Call for Entries | Reclaimed Visions: The Art of Upcycling April 12, 2025 - May 24, 2025 | Apply by: March 23   We invite artists in the U.S. to submit artworks that explore themes of overconsumption, waste, and consumerism. Your creations are more than just art—they are a call to action, urging viewers to rethink their habits and engage in a broader conversation about sustainability.   Artists of all disciplines are encouraged to participate, using upcycled materials such as paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, metals, and rubber.   The application is free for ArtsXchange members. If you'd like to become a member (membership levels start at $40), click here . Open Call for Proposals | South Fulton County Exhibition June 7, 2025 - July 19, 2025 | Apply by: May 4   The ArtsXchange is thrilled to invite you to apply for a group or solo exhibition at the Jack Sinclair Gallery in East Point, GA, happening in June 2025! Artists who live and create on the south side of Fulton County, this is your chance to share your vision, talent, and creativity with the community in a space that celebrates artistic expression in all its forms.   We welcome artists working in all visual mediums to submit proposals and be part of something truly special. Whether you’re an emerging artist or a seasoned creator, this is an opportunity to connect, inspire, and showcase your work in a gallery that champions culture and creativity.   All mediums will be considered. There is no entry fee.

This month, we got into the essentials of the "Go-Bag" , because being prepared doesn’t have to be boring! A Go-Bag  (aka Bug-Out Bag ) is your emergency survival kit, ready to grab when life throws the unexpected your way. We broke it down— one for the car, one for home, and what absolutely needs to be inside —but of course, the conversation didn’t stop there! Community conversations in the Riley Memorial Library, a monthly event. Thanks to Imani and Nautica for helping lead the conversation. The room was buzzing with ideas, side chats, and plenty of laughter  as we colored, created, and shared stories. Who knew emergency preparedness could be this fun? This community, this energy—this might just be my new happy place! Thanks for being part of the ArtsXchange family! We hope you’ll join us in April for the next one!

Today was another successful permaculture volunteer day and we couldn’t do it without the support of Shades of Green Permaculture ( @shades_of_green_permaculture ), and the generous folks who give their time and energy to help transform our front yard. 🌱 Let’s Grow Better, Together: Help Us Grow A Living Landscape for Creativity, Culture, and Climate Resilience 🌱 Imagine a space where artists find inspiration, neighbors gather, and the land itself thrives—where art and ecology unite to uplift and sustain a community. At the ArtsXchange, we’re doing just that…with YOUR help! Led by Shades of Green Permaculture —with 16 years of experience in regenerative landscaping—and filmed by award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Banks @journeybrave , this project will also culminate in a documentary that captures the ArtsXchange’s transformation of an unused greenspace into a thriving ecosystem for community use. Stay tuned! Make a donation to fund the transformation as well as a documentary about the project by filmmaker Jonathan Banks. #artsxchangeatl   #eastpoint   #visiteastpoint   #shadesofgreenpermaculture   #communitygarden   #urbanag   #urbanagriculture   #sustainability

From Buffalo to Atlanta to the Motherland, Tafawa Hicks has documented 50 years of culture across the African Diaspora. By Angela Oliver | ArtsXchange Media Inside the ArtsXchange studios, artists of every discipline—legendary Black culture photographers, bold printmakers, evocative burlesque dancers, soul-stirring poets, working actors, and visionary youth arts—bring their work to life. This blog series invites you to look Under the ArtsXchange Roof to discover the makers, dreamers, and creatives shaping the ArtsXchange community. Tafawa Hicks has always had a profound love for his people and his culture. Deepened by a college trip to the Motherland and demonstrated through his decades of photography, Tafawa has worked to fulfill his mission: Preserving the beauty, history and culture of African people in the African Diaspora. “We're special,” Tafawa said. “We've had a history of low self-esteem because we've been conditioned to despise ourselves, despise our color, not appreciate who we are. So with my photography, I’ve always tried to bring a sense of self-esteem and pride to the community.” Born Arthur Hicks in 1947 in Bessemer, Alabama, Tafawa’s family moved to Buffalo, New York during the Second Great Migration when he was about 6 years old. He was drafted at 18 and served six years in the U.S. Army, mostly in Germany, before returning to attend Buffalo State University. While he was there to earn his bachelor’s degree in psychology and African American studies, he was moved by a single course in photography, and later, a chance student trip to  Nigeria became a turning point.   In a rush for 12 language course credits during his junior year, Tafawa planned to go to France before a classmate suggested that he go to Africa. His group landed in Ghana, then traveled by bus and car through Togo and Benin, to Nigeria. They were met with a tragic turn of events, though. The professors at the then-named University of Ife were on strike. So, instead of attending school in Nigeria for seven weeks, then traveling for one week, they did the opposite. “We had a big bus and we drove around the country for seven weeks,” he said. “I got to see a lot. I was introduced to new things and I was really into the culture, the people. There was a sense of family among the African people; a real heavy respect for the elders and the ancestors that we didn't necessarily have here (in the U.S.).” With a life-changing camera that was gifted from his wife Utelsa — the pair had been friends since growing up together in Buffalo’s Jefferson projects — Tafawa was able to capture every moment. “It was interesting because everybody was very open to me photographing them (in Nigeria),” he said. “I saw some white folks trying to photograph sometimes and they caught a lot of flack. I would imagine the people saw me as themselves. I didn’t think a lot about it at the time, I just enjoyed being in the moment, but that trip changed my perspective on who we were.” Tafawa graduated in 1975 and shortly after was named Tafawa — “one who is worthy of praise” — by a community elder and photography mentor Brother Simba. He began work with the Buffalo Challenger , a Black Press newspaper; as well as with non-profit organizations, including as a youth counselor at the St. Augustine Center, and opening an African and African American art gallery called Images of Us, where he also did custom framing. “More than the business, I opened the gallery because of my desire to bring Black art into the community and give us a sense of ourselves, our beauty, history and culture,” he said. It was also a place to socialize as Black folks didn’t always have cultural spaces in Buffalo. After several years as the personal photographer of Arthur O. Eve, prominent mayoral candidate and deputy speaker of the New York State Assembly, Tafawa ran a workshop teaching photography, videography, and computer skills to underserved youth for 15 years. While his travels to Mali, Egypt, Kenya, Liberia, Ghana, South Africa and Haiti continued, Tafawa, also a father of three and grandfather of six, landed in Atlanta in 2002. Buffalo, like other areas in the North and Midwest, was losing industries and jobs, and Tafawa had become a substitute teacher. “I wasn’t happy, but what really made me decide to leave Buffalo was the weather,” he said. “It would usually take me 15 or 20 minutes to get to work, but one day, it snowed and it took me two hours to get home. I was frozen and I made a commitment to be out of Buffalo before the next winter.”  He continued to shoot weddings and events amid his jobs in Atlanta, but didn’t start seeing his photography as art until he moved into a studio at the ArtsXchange. He had met celebrated photographer Jim Alexander, who introduced him to other opportunities for growth and exposure and they’ve been friends ever since. “I found a community here,” Tafawa said.  Though hundreds of miles away, the ArtsXchange also brought him back to Buffalo in unexpected ways when he met Michelle D. Hare, another Buffalo native who recognized his photos — she had been in one of his photos from her childhood. With her help negotiating, connecting and curating, Tafawa was invited to do an exhibition of his striking black-and-white photographs titled Soul of the City: Memories of Jefferson Avenue and its Neighborhoods , at Buffalo’s CEPA Gallery  as part of its 50th anniversary. He is also in talks with the Buffalo Public Libraries. Tafawa was moved to see a full house at the opening in February, and honored to shine a light on the beauty, struggles, triumphs and resilience of Buffalo’s Black community through the exhibition that will be on view through April 12, 2025. “I’ve always seen my photography as preserving and documenting our experiences,” Tafawa said. “It is our history. And if you forget your history, you're really forgetting yourself.” Keep up with Tafawa Hicks on Instagram @photographyby_tafawa and Facebook @photographybytafawa

The ArtsXchange is thrilled to invite YOU to apply for a group or solo exhibition at the Jack Sinclair Gallery in East Point, GA, happening in June 2025! This is your chance to share your vision, talent, and creativity with the community in a space that celebrates artistic expression in all its forms. Learn more and submit your application today! 2025 South Fulton County Invitational Jack Sinclair Gallery Exhibit Exhibition Dates: June 7, 2025 – July 19, 2025 Deadline for Submissions:  Sunday, March 30, 2025  Eligibility: Artists must reside in South Fulton County (Georgia) Chattahoochee Hills College Park  East Point Fairburn Hapeville Palmetto Union City South Fulton Application/Entry Fee: No Application/Entry Fee