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As severe weather conditions are forecasted to impact our area, we want to ensure the safety of our residents, staff, and community. Due to the weather advisory for this weekend The ArtsXchange office will be closed starting Friday, January 10, 2025 and will reopen Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Upcoming Events & Classes At the Sinclair Gallery Volunteer Opportunities

ArtsXchange to explore benefits of artificial intelligence in new workshop series EAST POINT, Ga., Oct.25, 2024 — Artificial intelligence is ubiquitous in society, but many remain unsure of what it really means or how it fits into their lives. N'Dieye Gray Danavall, also known as Sista Shaman, hopes to change that. In partnership with the ArtsXchange, she will host a series of virtual workshops to quell any fears and ignite any curiosity about artificial intelligence, its role in daily life, and how to use it safely. “I’m excited to introduce AI in a non-threatening, creative way to the ArtsXchange community,” said instructor N’Dieye Gray Danavall, a longtime photographer, videographer, and gadget enthusiast who holds a studio at the ArtsXchange. “My goal is to show people how AI is a partner, not a replacement, in the creative world.” Danavall will present the following workshops: AI in Everyday Life – Breaking the Myths ,  a fun and engaging workshop designed to help people understand AI without any complicated tech talk. She will explore how AI is already part of daily life—from Netflix recommendations to social media—and debunk common myths, like whether AI is replacing jobs or spying on the public. This session will demonstrate using AI as a helpful tool in a way that’s accessible and easy to understand. Nov.13 | 7-8 pm | $10 |  Zoom link sent upon registration AI as a Creative Assistant ,  an exploration of how AI can help bring artistic ideas to life. Whether for painters, musicians, writers, or visual artists, Danavall will help participants discover simple, user-friendly tools that can enhance their creative process. Participants will learn how to collaborate with AI to elevate artistic work, and leave with new ideas and skills to take their art to the next level. Nov. 27 | 7-8 pm | $10 |  Zoom link sent upon registration Privacy and Control – Using AI Safely highlights ways to protect personal information while using AI tools. Danavall will offer practical steps for safeguarding personal data and discuss common concerns about government and corporate data collection. This workshop is all about empowering artists to use AI on their own terms, with control over privacy in an increasingly AI-driven world. Dec. 13 | 7-8 pm | $10 |  Zoom link sent upon registration  *** About the ArtsXchange The ArtsXchange, d/b/a the Southeast Community Cultural Center, was incorporated in 1983 and opened The Arts Exchange In 1984 in Grant Park, reshaping the landscape of Metro Atlanta’s arts scene. In East Point since 2017, the ArtsXchange empowers artists, social justice activists, and creative entrepreneurs to engage communities with innovative artistic learning experiences and cultural exchange. Our art is our activism. About the Instructor N'Dieye Gray Danavall , also known as Sista Shaman , is a well-known spiritual leader and healer with over 20 years of experience in West African Ifa and Orisa traditions. She also holds a Master’s in Communication and a Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design. She has 9 years of experience as an e-learning developer and instructional designer, working full-time at an online graduate school.

ArtsXchange celebrates 40 years of cultivating community Year of events to reflect organization’s historical influence, impact on Atlanta arts scene EAST POINT, Ga. — The ArtsXchange has amplified a quiet corner of East Point since 2017. But its roots in Atlanta go back to 1984 and its reach now spans 40 years of cultivating community, whether as a lobbying arm for public arts funding, a launching pad for now celebrated artists, or a creative home for legends to learners. “The ArtsXchange is a living example of the power of artists to create their own destiny,” said co-founder and Executive Director Alice Lovelace. The 40th anniversary theme, based on its façade mural, Cultivating Community by Charity Hamidullah, honors the ArtsXchange’s commitment to grassroots community building and celebrates its fruitful history that is often overlooked. That history will be commemorated in various ways, including A Room of Her Own, an exhibition of women artists with current or past studios here, May 5-June 22; homecoming weekend June 7-9; the annual fundraiser Sept. 21; and the 7th Annual Ebon Dooley Arts & Social Justice Awards Dec. 7. “There are so many artists who helped to make the last 40 years possible,” Lovelace said. “We could not see 40 years into the future, so this year is a monument to those people who did what was needed every day, one day at a time.” The ArtsXchange is home to many firsts in Atlanta’s rich cultural story. Many artists grew to prominence in their former studios, including Kevin Cole, Rocio Rodriquez, and Charmaine Minniefield. Master artists like Jim Alexander and Lisa Tuttle still create from their studios here every day. The vision of late activist, scholar, poet and organizer Ebon Dooley, the ArtsXchange changed the dynamic of the Atlanta arts scene when the original Arts Exchange opened in Grant Park in 1984. Dooley, alongside Lovelace, answered the need for a multiethnic, multidisciplinary and socially engaged arts Center. “This place allowed me to define my own world and influenced my thinking about community, culture, and the power of art,” said cultural worker and Board President Cheryl Johnson, who took dance classes and performed there as a teen. “Even when the roof was leaking and the wood floors needed work, it still felt safe. It was always a place to be uniquely ourselves, whatever that meant to each of us.” For 40 years, the ArtsXchange has been a point of creative exchange for artists, activists, and long- silenced community voices. With a range of free and low-cost offerings, it keeps the arts inclusive and accessible in an industry that can be exclusive. Through its performance spaces and exhibits, it remains an uplifter of emerging and marginalized creatives. And with its sprawling community garden, meaningful partnerships, and active role in its new East Point neighborhood, the ArtsXchange remains a leader in applying the arts to solutions for social issues from food security and health equity, to economic opportunities and cultural preservation. “We are an institution built by, for, and with working artists and the community we serve,” said Lovelace.“We are still the place where aspiring artists can find a home and other artists to support them. That gives me hope that another 40 years is possible.”

EAST POINT, Ga., Sept. 27 — Who are the Indigenous people of North America? What are the myths versus the truths surrounding their lives and traditions? The ArtsXchange will explore the past and present of Indigenous cultural society through music, books, artwork and a special presentation by Dr. Monika Ponton Arrington. Art & Survival: Honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day, will be from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 10 at the ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St. in East Point. Part of the organization's monthly Community Conversations series, the event is free and open to the public. Arrington  is the founder of Georgia Indigenous Diversity Consulting and a lifelong scholar, leader, advocate and activist for Indigenous People’s rights and awareness. “Being a young Taino woman who grew up knowing I was a Native American Indian, I felt lost at times,” she said.  So, she started to research her family and who they were. She later attended the Native Wellness Institute and received her certificate in counseling in 2009; served as ambassador to the Golden Rule and I Change Nation Peacekeeping Building Initiative to the United Nations in 2013, as well as a member of the UN’s Council for Indigenous People in 2021. Arrington has also been an advocate for Indigenous families that were facing discrimination and were being forced from their homes. "Dr. Arrington brings light to the darkness of the trials and trauma that the Native American Indian People have from the past and present,” said Suriname Ambassador Fidelia Graand-Galon. “She brings awareness to those of us who do not understand the complexity that the Native American Indians must deal with daily. She clears the myth and misunderstanding that people have.” For more information or to RSVP, see https://www.artsxchange.org/event-details/art-survival-honoring-indigenous-peoples-day

Relax and chill in an atmosphere reminiscent of old jazz clubs at the AXC Jazz Café featuring the legendary Joseph “Joe” Jennings! The concert will feature the Joe Jennings Heritage Music Ensemble and a surprise special guest. The performance will explore original compositions by Joe Jennings and some compositions selected from the standard Jazz repertoire of the masters. Jennings will also explore different approaches to improvisation that he has been experimenting with over the past few years, thus influencing Joe and his musicians to express their ideas, concepts, and emotions in different and personal ways. Tickets: $40 in advance or at the door (includes a 1-year ArtsXchange membership); $20 for Current Members & students with ID Doors open at 3 p.m. The Concert will be followed by a talkback and panel discussion. The Closing Reception will be at 6:30 p.m. After the concert, we invite the audience to a question-and-answer session concerning Joe’s involvement in Atlanta's music and education community for the past 54 years. Panelists include moderator Alphonso Sanders, PhD., founder of The BB King Museum, musician, and educator; William H. L. Dorsey, an author and professor emeritus at Atlanta Metropolitan State College; James Johnson, PhD., founder and director of the African American Music Institute, Pittsburg, Penn.; Lovell Hooks, jazz DJ on WRFG 89.3 FM radio; and Lamar Renford, musician and one of the founders and producers of the Atlanta Free Jazz Festival. As we enter the final quarter of our 40th year, we look back over the long list of esteemed and celebrated artists who are part of the ArtsXchange journey. One such artist is Jennings, who was among the original artists in residence at the Neighborhood Arts Center and, after it closed, moved with Ebon Dooley and Alice Lovelace to the newly formed Arts Exchange in Grant Park. There, he set up a recording studio and continued to perform with the NAC Jazz Orchestra.

Nearly 40 artists share array of perspectives on Black masculinity in exhibition’s second installment EAST POINT, Ga., Aug. 24 — “Toxic masculinity” is defined as a culturally ingrained notion that equates manliness with domination, aggression, and the suppression of emotions. “This exhibition seeks to challenge and deconstruct these harmful stereotypes, creating a space for a healthier, more balanced understanding of masculinity,” said rEN Dillard, who co-curated the latest exhibit at the ArtsXchange. Hold the Line, Vol II: Celebrating Black Masculinity opened with a reception on Sept. 7 in the Jack Sinclair Gallery at ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St. in East Point. The artists talk will be from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 28 and the exhibit will be on view through Oct. 26. The exhibit addresses the nuanced dynamic of Black toxic masculinity, rooted in white supremacy and internalized racism, the curators said. Through various visual styles, techniques, and mediums — from the historic photography of Jim Alexander to the captivating paintings of Dr. Arturo Lindsay to the vibrant sculptures of — the artists explore the historical and contemporary impact of these ideas on Black men and society at large. “It’s an extraordinary continuation of our mission to explore and define Black masculinity, building on the success of the first exhibit,” said Hebert, director of Clayton Arts, where the exhibit debuted in 2022. “But it’s not only an art exhibit; it’s a powerful statement about the strength, creativity, and resilience of Black men.” Featured Artists Jim Alexander • Suprim Allah • Jonathan Banks • Dr. Yahaya Bello • Gerald Byrd • Dr. Zerric Clinton • Kevin Cole • Ralph “rEN” Dillard • Najee Dorsey • Dr. Clint Fluker • Quamaine Giles • John Glover • Sam Guilford • Sean Haynes • Brian Hebert • Aaron Henderson • Tafawa Arthur Hicks • David Hodge • Reginald Laurent • Dr. Arturo Lindsay • Tony Loadholt • Sean Mulkey • Rukuumba Nedd • Arshaad Norwood • S. Darius Parker • Richard Perrin • Derrick Phillips • Cecil Reed Jr. • Hopeton Sinclair • Tony Smart • Lovett Thompson • Ric Washington • Darrien West • Irvin Wheeler • Dante Yarbrough • Kenneth Zakee

Hey everyone! Get ready for an amazing start to the series with an awesome Free Seminar on Saturday, September 21st from 12PM - 2PM! Garden Like A Boss Free Urban-Homesteading Seminar led by tenisio seanima is a fantastic opportunity for individuals and families looking to delve into the world of urban gardening and homesteading. This seminar goes beyond just gardening tips and tricks; it aims to empower participants to take control of their living spaces and transform them into sustainable, productive urban oases. By attending this seminar, you will not only learn practical gardening techniques but also gain insights into how urban homesteading can significantly enhance your quality of life. You will discover ways to reduce your dependency on commercial systems, thereby promoting self-sufficiency and sustainability in your everyday life. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a complete novice, this seminar offers something for everyone. Join us for an enriching experience that will not only teach you about gardening but also inspire you to embrace a more self-reliant and sustainable lifestyle. Don't miss out on this opportunity to Garden Like A Boss ! 2024 Garden Like A Boss Series Schedule of Dates and Subjects: September 28, 2024 - Class 1: Introduction to Urban Gardening October 12, 2024 - Class 2: Techniques for Harvest Preservation October 26, 2024 - Class 3: Home DIY Projects November 9, 2024 - Class 4: Implementing Sustainable Living Practices November 23, 2024 - Class 5: Urban Livestock and Poultry Management December 7, 2024 - Class 6: Community Building and Future Planning Cost: $25 per class OR $100 for all 6 classes! Enhance your gardening skills with the 2024 Garden Like A Boss Series! This series offers a total of 6 classes filled with valuable insights and practical tips to help you grow. Each class is priced at $25, but you can take advantage of a special offer by signing up for all 6 classes for just $100! By opting for the bundle deal, you not only save money but also ensure a comprehensive learning experience that covers various aspects of gardening. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to elevate your gardening game. Act fast as the bundle offer is only available Saturday, September 28th, 2024, 2 PM. Secure your spot in the 2024 Garden Like a Boss series today by using the provided link to purchase the bundle ticket! This series is FREE for East Point residents with a Fresh Oasis Community Garden bed! If you are a resident of East Point who is currently enjoying the benefits of having a garden bed at the Fresh Oasis Community Garden, you are in for a treat! By being part of this community, you have the exclusive opportunity to attend the full series for FREE. The ArtsXchange values your participation and will ensure that you receive a newsletter before the series commences, providing you with all the necessary information to sign up without any cost. Being a member of the ArtsXchange Fresh Oasis Community Garden not only grants you access to a garden bed but also opens up a world of opportunities and valuable resources. From learning about sustainable gardening practices to connecting with fellow gardeners, the experience is enriching and rewarding. If you are intrigued and would like to join this vibrant community by obtaining a garden bed, simply follow the link below to submit your application. Your journey towards a greener lifestyle starts here! Limited garden beds available. Applications are not a guarantee for a bed. Apply today! 2024 Garden Like A Boss Series About tenisio seanima tenisio recently served as the inaugural Manager of Urban Agriculture for the City of East Point, Georgia. He's also the General Manager of Nature's Candy Farms, a multi-parcel, urban farm in Greater Atlanta Georgia. His most recent accomplishments are (a) co-authoring the City-Agriculture Plan for the city of East Point, GA, (b) successfully facilitating a USDA Regional Food Systems Partnership grant program on behalf of the City of East Point in partnership with Food Well Alliance, and (c) developing, ordaining, and facilitating East Point’s Local Food Ecosystem Commission, which serves as the advisory board for East Point City Council in the area of food system support, development, and optimization. In addition to a B.S. in Green and Sustainable Enterprise Management from the University of Phoenix, Tenisio is Master Gardener Certified, he is trained by the International Organic Inspector's Association in the USDA's National Organic Program rules for Produce and Livestock, and he is certified in produce safety by the Produce Safety Alliance. He also holds a Third-Class Broadcasting Certificate approved by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Learn more

I am a huge fan of all things literary. As a classroom teacher , I often used games to enhance education. Game playing is the perfect setting for organic conversations and encourages problem solving and strategizing. I always had Scrabble games in my classroom. At least once a semester we would play the game. A four player game of Scrabbles lasts about two hours but in that two hour time period, my students weren't just playing a game, they were spelling, problem solving and doing math. After we played I challenged them to write a story or poem using as many words from their game board as possible, there would be prizes. Now my students were working together and creating as a group. In the moment they thought they had a day where academics were not involved but as many of my former students have children of their own, they appreciate the many ways I creatively taught them to appreciate language and the art of quality conversations. I had a thought while taking a stroll through my memories, why don't I do this with the community I have the honor of being a part of ? I invite you to join me every fourth Saturday for Playing With Our Words! " Playing   With  Our   Words ," a dynamic workshop designed to blend the thrill of Scrabble with the creativity of storytelling and poetry. Over the course of three engaging hours, participants embark on a journey where language becomes both playground and canvas. The workshop kicks off with a spirited game of Scrabble, where every tile placed on the board becomes a seed for imagination. As  words   are laid down, they not only score points but also inspire and challenge participants to think critically about language and its expressive potential. Following the game, participants transition into the creative phase of the workshop. Armed with the  words   played during Scrabble, they use them as building blocks for crafting original poems or short stories. Whether it's the unexpected juxtaposition of  words   or the challenge of incorporating a diverse vocabulary, every participant discovers new avenues of expression. Facilitators encourage lively conversation throughout the workshop, fostering a supportive environment where ideas flow freely. Discussions range from strategic gameplay insights to interpretations of the meanings and emotions evoked by the chosen  words . This collaborative exchange not only enhances participants' literacy skills but also deepens their appreciation for the richness of language. By the end of " Playing   With  Our   Words ," participants emerge not only with a newfound appreciation for language but also with a tangible creation—a poem or short story—that reflects their unique perspective and creativity. This workshop is not just about  playing   a game; it's about discovering the power of  words   to connect, inspire, and transform. This event is open to ages 12 - 112, all minors must have adult supervision. Playing With Our Words is a great event for homeschool groups, families, word enthusiasts, writers, and those who love Scrabble as much as I do. Hope you will join me, Theresa Davis Literary Director/ Teaching Artist/ Author/ Poet EVENTS

BY PEARL MCHANEY, artsatl.org June 3, 2024 "Klänge" (2023) by Caroline-Lathan-Stiefel, one of the artists whose work appears in the group show "A Room of Her Own" at the ArtsXchange through June 22. Nearly 100 years ago, in her slim book A Room of One’s Own, Virginia Woolf argued that “it is necessary to have five hundred [pounds] and a room with a lock on the door if [women] are to write fiction or poetry.” Dedicated space and sufficient income remain essentials in this century, particularly for women, particularly for visual artists. With this in mind, Lisa Tuttle curated A Room of Her Own: Women Studio Artists from AXC’s 40-Year History, on view at the Sinclair Gallery of The ArtsXchange in East Point through June 22. Retired from her full-time job as arts administrator and consultant, work that afforded her the income to have a studio, Tuttle continues to curate shows and works daily in her studio. For the first 12 months of having that “room of her own,” she kept a photograph of the studio on her desk but managed only four days in her studio. To honor the women who have or have had studios (rooms of their own) at ArtsXchange, Tuttle contacted 28 women. Not all could participate — for various reasons — but 23 did. She kept a light hand in curating, encouraging current work, hoping for something that represented them well. Tuttle was delighted to discover that the connections among the women as a “crossover between poets and visual artists, spoken word artists and photographers” emerged. Several are social justice advocates whose art practice involves community. Many shared similar challenges in maintaining an individual studio with conflicts of teaching, children, jobs, caregiving or spouses relocating for jobs. By bringing the artists and the work together, Tuttle learned how the women had connected during their time at ArtsXchange: that Caroline Lathan-Stiefel had shared a studio with Donna Pickens; that Lynn Marshall Linnemeier had shared her studio with ceramicist Chris Tholl; that Dana Cibulski, Rebecca DesMarais, Jaynie Crimmins and Elyse Defoor had occupied the same space at separate times. Lisa Tuttle (top row, right) and Alice Lovelace-Riley (bottom row, second from left) with some of the women artists in the ArtsXchange group show “A Room of Her Own.” Photo by Jim Alexander, May 2024 Installed chronologically for the most part, the show begins with work by Alice Lovelace-Riley, founder of the ArtsXchange. Although Beverly Buchanan died in 2015, to honor her studio time at the ArtsXchange, Tuttle included one of the artist’s oil pastels. In the process of curating, Tuttle adjusted the initial parameters for the artists’ selections to mount the creations of 23 women. The artists’ biography labels include not only their years at the ArtsXchange but often what they learned from one another, their various media and current work. A Room of Her Own and the gathering of these women artists at the artist talk on May 5 demonstrate an “understanding of the breadth of the women’s work. When you have a studio, you are there to work,” explains Tuttle. “You might say hello and have brief conversations, but then you shut your door and go to work. Yet even while working individually, you know these [other] artists are there; they are allies, supporting and encouraging one another, sharing knowledge of exhibition, gallery and funding opportunities. How stunningly beautiful it all is in the end — that’s what surprised me. It’s a really strong show.” In art, Tuttle suggests, “the beautiful idea is always the philosophical thing, the aspiration of an artist, the understanding, what you are communicating. Here [in this show], it’s the idea of bringing these women together, visibility for these women. Just how strong it is, how important it is for any artist, for women, to have a studio, to have a place to work, as humble or as fancy those circumstances may be. All along, I wanted to honor the collective strength, talent, seriousness and professionalism that these women artists epitomize.” Having been with the ArtsXchange for over 30 years, Tuttle hopes it will continue to thrive. Lisa Tuttle (top row, right) and Alice Lovelace-Riley (bottom row, second from left) with some of the women artists in the ArtsXchange group show “A Room of Her Own.” “We need to gather old friends and new friends as well to be involved. I want women artists and their work to have as much visibility as possible, for these women to be reconnected and more connected with the organization, for there to be some sort of continuity. And I want others to experience the value of having community arts space where artists can work and can get a studio.” :: L-R: Jaynie Crimmins’ “Science and Reason Matter” (2017) (Courtesy of Thomas Deans Fine Art); and Lynn Marshall-Linnemeier “Blue Pensive Elixer” (2019) Pearl McHaney, Kenneth M. England Professor of Southern Literature Emerita at Georgia State University, is a former associate dean of fine arts at GSU, an avid reader and an appreciator of the arts. She is the co-founder of Revival: Lost Southern Voices and founding editor of the Eudora Welty Review.

As April, National Poetry Month, came into full swing, the ArtsXchange embarked on an exciting journey of artistic collaboration and community engagement. Led by the Literary Director, Theresa Davis, and in partnership with South Fulton Arts, the ArtsXchange initiated an eight-week artist residency with the esteemed Finish Strong Learning Pod afterschool program. This collaboration aimed to nurture young minds, fostering creativity and a deep appreciation for the written word among 3rd to 5th graders. Under the guidance of passionate mentors, these budding poets embarked on a transformative journey. Over the course of eight weeks, they delved into the richness that is language arts, exploring various poetic forms and unleashing their creativity in profound ways. From the structured elegance of cinquain to the minimalist beauty of haiku, these young wordsmiths explored the vast landscape of poetry, each form offering a unique canvas for self-expression. However, the journey didn't stop at mere poetry. The residency also incorporated skill-building games and collaborative activities, nurturing not only individual creativity but also fostering a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among the participants. Through these activities, the young poets learned to appreciate the power of collaboration, understanding that creativity flourishes in the fertile ground of shared ideas and mutual support. One of the highlights of the residency was the exploration of "Samurai Song" by Robert Pinsky. This evocative poem served as a catalyst for introspection and discussion, inviting the young poets to delve into its themes of courage, resilience, and the triumph over adversity. Through guided exercises inspired by Pinsky's work, the participants explored the nuances of language, dissecting the poem's structure and imagery while drawing parallels to their own experiences. Central to the success of this endeavor was the unwavering support and dedication of Dr. Sylvia Carter, the driving force behind the Finish Strong Learning Pod. Dr. Carter's commitment to educational excellence and community empowerment served as a guiding light, ensuring that each participant had the opportunity to thrive and discover their unique voice. As the residency draws to a close, the ArtsXchange extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Sylvia Carter, the Finish Strong Learning Pod team, and all those who contributed to making this initiative a resounding success. Together, we have embarked on a journey of creativity, empowerment, and discovery, inspiring the next generation of poets to dream boldly and write fearlessly. In the words of Theresa Davis, "May these young poets continue to write their stories, bold and unapologetic, they are the voices of tomorrow, shaping the world with every word they pencil or pen." Theresa Davis, Dr. Sylvia Carter, District 3 Councilwoman Helen Willis and the Finish Strong Scholars.