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Building Community Through Words & Art : Southwest Atlanta Steam Stars at the ArtsXchange
- Theresa Davis
- Jan 20
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 7
Community building is at the heart of the ArtsXchange’s Literary Programs, and this month we were honored to welcome the Southwest Atlanta Steam Stars, a dynamic homeschool group, for an outreach experience rooted in creativity, history, and imagination. Led by Theresa Davis and the ArtsXchange Literary Program, these on-campus experiences invite young people to learn with artists, not just about them.
As part of their ongoing programming, the Steam Stars visited the Charles “Jikki” Memorial Library, a living creative space inside the ArtsXchange. The library isn’t just a place for books—it’s a site for making, conversation, and inspiration. This month’s focus brought us into the brilliance of the Harlem Renaissance, with special attention to the poetry of Langston Hughes. Through discussion and close reading, students explored how art, identity, and community intersected during this powerful cultural movement—and how those ideas still resonate today.
To pair literary exploration with hands-on artmaking, participants decoupaged new vases for the library, transforming them into vibrant holders for our signature pen flowers. These writing-implement bouquets now live in the library as a reminder that inspiration can strike at any moment—and when it does, the tools to create should be within reach. It’s a small but meaningful gesture that reinforces a big idea: writing belongs to everyone.
In the coming months, the Steam Stars and the ArtsXchange will continue these conversations about the artists of the Harlem Renaissance, creating space for youth to connect history to their own voices and lived experiences. These sessions encourage curiosity, confidence, and creative risk-taking—skills that extend far beyond the page.
The impact of the ArtsXchange Literary Programs on youth in our community is both immediate and lasting. By offering intergenerational learning, artist-led workshops, and welcoming creative spaces, we help young people see themselves as writers, thinkers, and cultural contributors. Programs like this build literacy, critical thinking, and self-expression while strengthening community ties across age groups and backgrounds.
If you are part of a homeschool group interested in outreach opportunities, we would love to connect with you. Please contact Theresa Davis at theresa@artsxchange.org. A small fee helps cover artist supplies and time, ensuring these experiences remain sustainable and high-quality.
We also invite families and youth to join us for Playing With Our Words, our free 4th Saturday gameplay and creative writing workshop, held from 2:00–4:00 PM at the ArtsXchange. Through games, prompts, and collaborative fun, participants of all ages discover that writing can be joyful, accessible, and community-centered.
Photos by Mocha Kelly
