Check out the Volunteer Opportunities for this month! September means fall is almost here and that means crunchy leaves and volunteering! Join us at ArtsXchange and make a difference in your community by signing up for one of our volunteer opportunities. Over this month, we will have lots of programming and that means all hands on deck. Click event to learn more and sign up for shifts. SPECIAL FEATURED VOLUNTEER EVENT - 2026 All Voices Poetry Slam Fri, Sept 11, 2026, 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM Volunteer for our 2026 All Voices Poetry Slam! Assist with greeting, scorekeeping and more. If you volunteer you will NOT be able to participate in the SLAM. 2nd Saturday Writers Workshop Sat, Sept 12, 2026, 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM Help with set up / break down and attend the event! Scrabble Club Sat, Sept 19, 2026, 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM Help with set up / break down and attend the event! 4th Saturday Writers Workshop Sat, Sept 26, 2026, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM Help with set up / break down and attend the event! Playing With Our Words Sat, Sept 26, 2026, 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM Help with set up / break down and attend the event! Volunteer Registration Form / Newsletter Once you register you will be added to our mailing list. We will email/contact you to let you know about upcoming volunteer opportunities! Sign up today! As a nonprofit, the ArtsXchange depends on volunteers to help us meet the multiple demands of running a diverse community Cultural Center. Our needs range from office support, cleaning and maintaining our grounds, event and gallery support, and those with technical and specialized skills. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers who have dedicated their time, energy, and passion to our cause. Your unwavering commitment and selfless contributions have made a significant impact on our organization and the community we serve.

Check out the Literary Programs coming to the ArtsXchange this month! EVENT HIGHLIGHT - 2026 All Voices Poetry Slam - 4th Annual Details Fri, Sep 11, 2026, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM $20 in Advance / $25 at the Door Slam List and doors at 7:30pm You're cordially invited to an electrifying night of poetic brilliance at the All Voices Poetry Slam! Get ready to witness the power of words as talented poets from near and far gather to captivate your hearts and minds. Join us for an unforgettable evening of creativity, expression, and passion. Mark your calendars and invite your friends to witness the magic of spoken word poetry at the All Voices Poetry Slam on September 11, 2026. We promise an evening filled with emotions, creativity, and camaraderie. We look forward to seeing you there! Learn More / Get your tickets! Xchange Open Mic Fri, Oct 9, 2026 | 8p.m. - 10:30p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door List opens at 7:30 p.m. Hosted by Theresa Davis, Xchange Open Mic is a celebration of voice, story, and sound. Whether you’re a poet, comedian, musician, storyteller, or creative shapeshifter, this mic is for you! Must be age 18 or older to perform.   Learn More / Get your tickets! 2nd Saturday Writers Workshop Sat, Sept 12, 2026 | 2p.m. - 4 p.m. $10 Find your writing community, share and receive feedback, and hone your craft with the guidance of author Theresa Davis and guest facilitators who are experts in their fields. The workshops use thought-provoking prompts and ekphrasis to help you explore a variety of writing styles and genres. Learn More / Register for Workshop Scrabble Club Sat, Sept 19, 2026 | 2p.m. - 4p.m. FREE Scrabble Club is a fun and engaging way to enhance literacy, spelling, problem-solving, and conversation. Whether you’re a seasoned Scrabble master or just learning the ropes, this intergenerational gathering is perfect for all ages and skill levels. And we have snacks! Please RSVP to let us know you're coming.   RSVP for Scrabble Club 4th Saturday Writers Workshop Sat, Sept 26, 2026 | 12p.m. - 2p.m. $10 Every fourth Saturday of the month, find your writing community, share and receive feedback, and hone your craft with the guidance of author Theresa Davis and guest facilitators who are experts in their fields. The workshops have helped people develop their creative voice and even publish their work. Don't miss out!   Learn More / Register for Workshop Playing with Our Words Sat, Sept 26, 2026 | 2p.m. - 4 p.m. FREE Spark your creativity and connection through the power of words. After a game of Scrabble, participants explore wordplay, storytelling, and imagination with creative writing prompts. The challenge is to write using the words on the Scrabble board. Families are strongly encouraged to attend together. RSVP to play! LITERARY PROGRAM Our Literary Program Page serves as a comprehensive resource for all things related to our literary events and initiatives. Visit our Literary Program Page for more events and information. Literary Program NEWSLETTER Sign up for the ArtsXchange Newsletter to stay up to date with what's up next at the ArtsXchange. Sign up for Newsletter Theresa Davis Literary Program Director Theresa Davis is an educator, storyteller, poet, author, poetry slam champion and the host of the award winning open mic Java Speaks. She has performed on stages across the nation as a poet and keynote speaker. She was a classroom teacher for over 25 years, specializing in cross curricular education. Learn More

Artists deserve to be supported, not simply celebrated. At ArtsXchange, that means putting resources behind the people making the work. Artists teach in our classes and youth programs. They exhibit in our galleries. And they are paid for their expertise, time, and imagination. At the July 25 opening of our latest juried exhibition, Sonic Impressions: Abstract Visual Art Inspired by Music, guest juror Oscar Harris — the visionary architect behind Atlanta landmarks including the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport atrium and the Olympic light towers, who is now a full-time abstract expressionist painter — and Sinclair Gallery Director Ric Washington presented artists with cash awards for their winning works. And the winners are... The Urban Opus by Annika Jones (First Place) Bebop Explosion by Michael C. Morgan (Second Place) NEGRITO by F. Geoffrey Johnson (Third Place) My 90s Crush by Clementine Willowilde (Honorable Mention) L-R: Sinclair Gallery Director Ric Washington; abstract artist and guest juror Oscar Harris; and awarded artists Annika Jones (1st place), Michael Morgan (2nd place), and F. Geoffrey Johnson (3rd place). Congratulations to the Sonic Impressions winners! (Take a look at their pieces below.) And thanks to every artist who answered the challenge to turn music into something we could see. The exhibition also includes works by Carl Christian, Zerric Clinton, Kevin Cole, Sean Haynes, Adrienne Hills, Debbie Jung, Chantrice Rachelle, Raqstar Vernon Robinson, Pame Sawyer-Smith, Serenity, and Tony Smart. Hear their insights at the Artists Talk and Closing Reception from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 in the Jack Sinclair Gallery at ArtsXchange. The exhibit will be on view through Aug. 29. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It is free and open to the public.

About Us Our Programs Our Board Our Staff Our Funders Our Support Team Our History When the Southeast Community Cultural Center's board of directors incorporated and opened The Arts Exchange in 1983 it reshaped the landscape of the Metro Atlanta arts scene: This inner-city Artist colony/community arts center was an intentional effort to create fully integrated facility—multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary and inter-generational. Over the years we have been the place where individual artists could find performance or rehearsal space; and artists and community could find a wide range of classes. A gathering place for community events and social change efforts, and an in-town artist colony representing all disciplines of the arts traditional to the experimental. Our Mission We create, produce, present and provide arts and/or cultural services for the public, and represent art and artists from traditional to experimental. Our mission is to nourish the creativity and careers of black artists; expose the community to multiple cultural traditions; and provide resources to inspire new generations of patrons, artists, and other creatives. We are a place where individuals and artists gather to find a creative community, and share their work with the community at large. Our goal is to empower and support artists, community residents, and the public to actively engage in life-changing creative experiences. We promote and expand accessibility to the arts for those who have not traditionally had access to the arts. We partner with arts organizations, organizers, and collectives of artists to respond to the needs of our community. Our Programs Annual Fundraiser Event Jack Sinclair Gallery Literary Program Fresh Oasis Community Garden Ebon Dooley Awards Studio Artist Program Our Staff Alice Lovelace Executive Director She/Her director@artsxchange.org Darrin Johnson Program Manager He/Him axcprograms@artsxchange.org tenisio seanima Fresh Oasis Garden Manager He/Him freshoasis@artsxchange.org Tia Davis Interim Managing Director She / Her managingdirector@artsxchange.org Angela Oliver Communications Director She/Her media@artsxchange.org Theresa Davis Literary Events Director She/Her theresa@artsxchange.org Richard Washington Gallery Director He/Him sinclairgallery@artsxchange.org Our Support Team Mocha Kelly Intern - Program Assistant Sound by IBIS Light and Sound Technician JT Ceasar Intern - Media Assistant Tia Davis Webmaster Our Board Anthony Marrero President Business Professional and Talent Sourcer Kenneth Zakee Treasurer Textile Artist, Poet Cheryl A. Johnson Board Member Cultural Curator Etienne L. Jackson Board Member Public Art Project Manager | Sculpture & Conservation Specialist Lisa Tuttle Secretary Artist, Curator, Consultant Noah Washington Board Member Writer, Producer Alice Lovelace Board Member Arts Administrator, Author, Poet Nino Augustine Board Member Multidisciplinary Artist & Music Director Our History In 1983, Ebon Dooley along with a dedicated group of practicing artists, community leaders, and activists formed the first board of directors for the South East Community Cultural Arts Center, Inc. (SECCC) doing business as The Arts Exchange. They approached the Atlanta Board of Education in 1984 and requested to lease the closed Grant Park Elementary School. Within six months of opening The Arts Exchange was at full occupancy. This in-town artists colony included 14 multi-disciplinary artist studios, a recording studio, two galleries, two dance studios, and a full theatre/performing arts/music season. When The Arts Exchange opened, it reshaped the landscape of the Metro Atlanta arts scene. This inner-city artist colony/community arts center was an intentional effort to create a fully integrated facility—multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary and inter-generational. Over the years we have been the place where individual artists could find performance or rehearsal space; and artists and community could find a wide range of classes. We were a gathering place for community events and social change efforts, and an in-town artist colony representing all disciplines of the arts from traditional to the experimental. New home. New name. In 2016 we sold the property in Grant Park. Renovating and opening a new facility in East Point in December of 2018. The move to East Point was an intentional decision we made to be a part of a community that did not have access to a multifaceted arts facility like ours, with room for creative small businesses, community gathering spaces, and programs focused on education and wellness. Shortchange, is a new name reflecting our relocation to the southwest side of town in the former Jere Wells Elementary School in East Point. Since our grand opening on January 10, 2019, we have been an exemplary and unique center for community, civic, and arts engagement. We offer event and performance spaces, artist studios, classes, literary events, survival sessions for musicians and visual artists, wellness classes and more. Our programs include The Jack Sinclair Gallery, Charles “Jikki” Riley Memorial Library and Literacy Program, the Paul Robeson Theatre, a creative artists studio program, the Sinclair Gallery, Fresh Oasis Community Garden, and classes and workshops for the community. As we move into our 40th year, we are proud to have returned to our roots as a community-based organization dedicated to the enrichment of our community and service to those who live here. The ArtsXchange has a unique and independent place in the arts scene in Atlanta and Fulton County. More History

Threads of a Living Legacy Threads of a Living Legacy The Art of Marquetta Bell-Johnson Sept 12, 2026 - Oct 24, 2026 Threads of a Living Legacy: The Art of Marquetta Johnson is a tribute exhibition honoring the life and work of Atlanta artist and educator Marquetta Johnson (1956- 2025). The exhibition brings together a broad collection of quilts and textile works from different periods of her career, reflecting both the growth of her artistic practice and the impact she had on Atlanta’s creative community and beyond. _______________ EVENTS Threads of a Living Legacy - Opening Reception Sat. Sept 12, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM The ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St, East Point, GA 30344, USA FREE | Open to the public RSVP _______________ The tribute exhibition brings together quilts and textile works spanning Johnson’s career, offering an intimate look at an artist whose practice grew from family tradition into a distinctive language of color, texture, pattern, and layered materials. A vital force in Atlanta’s arts ecosystem, Johnson’s reach extended from the Neighborhood Arts Center to the High Museum of Art — where her work lives in the permanent collection — as well as the Alliance Theatre, Kennedy Center/VSA Arts, and the National AIDS Memorial Quilt. After surviving a shooting that left her paralyzed from the waist down, Johnson remained fiercely dedicated to youth arts education, community collaboration, and adaptive art-making. The exhibition extends outside of the galley to include Intersectionality, an illuminated wall sculpture Johnson co-created at ArtsXchange with artist Jeff Mather; a “touch gallery” for a sensory experience; and a video montage of archived reflections from collaborators, family, and peers. Johnson also worked closely with the ArtsXchange over the years, from teaching youth arts classes to being one of the five women featured in Cover Me , a stunning 2024 exhibition of quilters and textile artists. All Exhibits SINCLAIR GALLERY NEWS Top three artworks awarded in "Sonic Impressions" Angela Oliver Jul 28 2 min read Georgia Tech SCoRE Student visit the ArtsXchange - Recap Blog ArtsXchange Jul 18 2 min read

Jack Sinclair Gallery Exhibits Threads of a Living Legacy The Art of Marquetta Bell-Johnson Sept 12, 2026 - Oct 24, 2026 Learn more Sonic Impressions Abstract Art Inspired by Music Sat, July 25 - Sat, Aug 29, 2026 Learn more Inward A Meditation on Memory and Presence June 6, 2026 – July 11, 2026 Learn more Toxic Beauty : Hidden Harm Beneath the Surface An Environmental Juried Exhibition April 11, 2026 - May 16, 2026 Learn more Alchemical Marriage When Forces Join, Clash, Dissolve, And Reform Feb 7, 2026 - March 21, 2026 Learn more 2026 Pin-Up Show and Sale A one night ArtsXchange Members Exhibit Sat. Jan 17, 2026 Learn more Constellations ArtsXchange Studio Artists Exhibition Dec 6, 2025 – Jan 10, 2026 Learn more From Stono To Now : The Fire This time Black Resistance in American Art, 1739 - Present Oct 14, 2025 - Nov 22, 2025 Learn more Ayiti-Quisqueya: Nexus of the Taíno The Masterful Paintings of Reinilda Fernandez (Blair) and Darnelle Louis-Jacques Aug 9, 2025 - Sept 20, 2025 Learn more Journey of the Spirit The multi-dimensional artistry of Sean Haynes June 7, 2025 – July 19, 2025 Learn more Reclaimed Visions: The Art of Upcycling An Environmental Juried Exhibition Apr 12, 2025 - May 24, 2025 Learn more Photovoice Communities are always speaking to us… are we listening? Mar 25, 2025 - Apr 8, 2025 Learn more In Search of Myself Curated emerging artist exhibit Feb 8, 2025 - Mar 22, 2025 Learn more 2025 Pin Up Show & Sale A one night ArtsXchange Members Exhibit Sat, Jan 18, 2025 5-9PM Learn more POST Solo Exhibit by Thomas Bess Nov 02, 2024 - Dec 21,2024 Learn more Hold The Line Celebrating Black Masculinity Sept 7, 2024 - Oct 24, 2024 Learn more The Art of Being A Mediation of Blackness & Queerness July 20, 2024 - Aug 17, 2024 Learn more A Room of Her Own Women Studio Artists From AXC's 40 Year History May 4, 2024 – June 22, 2024 Learn more The Pollinators An ArtsXchange Juried Show : An Artistic Celebration of Plants, Pollinators and Habitats Apr 6, 2024 - Apr 30, 2024 Learn more Ancestral Origins The Fractal Vision of Steve R. Allen Feb 10, 2024 - Mar 30, 2024 Learn more 2024 Pin Up Show + Sale A one night ArtsXchange Members Exhibit Sat, Jan 27, 2024 Learn more Creative Minds In Motion A Juried Exhibition celebrating students in the City of Atlanta and Fulton County Nov 11, 2023 - Dec 27, 2023 Learn more The Haunts of Black Kirby An exhibition of works from the dawn of Afrofuturism Sept 2, 2023 - Oct 28, 2023 Learn more Climate Change: FINAL WARNING ArtsXchange Juried Exhibition July 15, 2023 - Aug 26, 2023 Learn more Now is the Day: A Life Well Lived An archival exhibition celebrating the late, great civil rights leader & professor Dr. Doris Derby May 6, 2023 - June 10, 2023 Learn more Interference: Interwoven A sculptural look at human interference with nature through weaving by Sally C. Garner (Georgia State University MFA student show) Apr 4, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023 Learn more Cover Me: The Matrix of Quilts Quilt works of five women artists Jan 27, 2023 - Mar 25. 2023 Learn more Colors of Inspiration 2022: Colors Da Rhythm A collaborative, multidisciplinary art project presented by the Creative Foundation for the Arts & Technology, Inc. Dec 9, 2022 - Jan 14, 2023 Learn more Jazz & Spirituality Celebrating the Art of Oscar Harris Sept 17, 2022 - Dec 4, 2022 Learn more Reimagine Peace: The Art of Resistance ArtsXchange Juried Exhibition July 29, 2022 - Sept 8, 2022 Learn more Search For Identity Photography by Tafawa June 18, 2022 - July 16, 2022 Learn more Thru the Lens A reflection of life by mixed media artist Maceo Rogers Apr 30, 2022 - May 31, 2022 Learn more Sin With Me A Solo Exhibition from Nick Kakavas - RATED R Apr 1st, 2022 - Apr 15th 2022 Learn more The Kitchen Sink A collection of artworks by GSU MFA and BFA Students Mar 12, 2022 - Mar 26, 2022 Learn more The Aboriginal Museum A Revelation of True Identity Feb 11, 2022 - Mar 7, 2022 Learn more COMMON DENOMINATOR 3rd Annual Exhibition by the Artist of the ArtsXchange Nov 20, 2021 - Dec 18, 2021 Learn more TO THE WOMEN I LOVE A Solo Exhibition - John Glover Oct 8, 2021 – Nov 12, 2021 Learn more WHOSE AMERICA IS IT ANYWAY? An ArtsXchange Juried Exhibition July 10, 2021 - Sept 30, 2021 Learn more the storytellers An ArtsXchange Invitational Exhibition Apr 24, 2021 - June 19, 2021 Learn more HOW I SEE WHAT I SAW The Definitive Artwork of Vernon Robinson Sr. Mar 1, 2021 - Apr 4, 2021 Learn more truth to power Art in a time of upheaval Dec 15, 2020 - Jan 31, 2021 Learn more Signs of the Times Documenting the Power of the People, 1960 - Today Sept 15, 2020 - Oct 31, 2020 Learn more Icons of Art and Social Justice An ArtsXchange Group Mural Project Aug 8, 2020 – Sept 4, 2020 Learn more Scattering Dreams Art in Response to global Crisis Feb 29, 2020 - Apr 11, 2020 Learn more Back in the day The Neighborhood Arts Center & Atlanta's late 1970's Art Scene Feb 1, 2020 - Feb 22, 2020 Learn more Heavy Clouds A Solo Exhibition from C Flux Sing Dec 14, 2019 - Jan 18, 2020 Learn more Atlanta Collects 10 Notable Fine Art Collections Sept 6, 2019 - Oct 26, 2019 Learn more Convergence An ArtsXchange Studio Artist Exhibition Nov 2, 2019 - Dec 7, 2019 Learn more Ritual : the birth of new freedom A collaborative work exhibition July 20, 2019 - Aug 17, 2019 Learn more Blood of the earth A Corrina Sephora Art & Metalworks Exhibition June 1, 2019 - July 13, 2019 Learn more Catch me in the A A Group Exhibition April 6, 2019 - May 11, 2019 Learn more Shero A Sistagraphy Exhibition Feb 16, 2019 - Mar 31, 2019 Learn more The Art of Values A Group Exhibition Jan 10, 2019 - Feb 9, 2019 Learn more