About the Event ArtsXchange Open House Pin-Up Show + Sale 2024 6-10 p.m.* Saturday, Jan. 27 Jack Sinclair Gallery @ ArtsXchange Enjoy drinks and music at the event from 6-10 p.m. Entry as a participating artist is FREE for current members. * MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: Enjoy wine, cheese, a first look, and first chance to purchase during our members-only segment from 4-6 p.m. Become a member and take $10 off any level of membership with the code PINUP2024! >>> CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP FOR MEMBERSHIP! >>>THEN, SUBMIT THIS REGISTRATION FORM TO SELL YOUR ART! ARTIST REQUIREMENTS Participating artists must be current ArtsXchange members or purchase a membership to submit work in Pin-up Show + Sale.  Membership must be purchased and registration form submitted online prior to or at drop-off. Artists must be 18 or older and may join online using the discount code PINUP2024 to take $10 off. Upon drop-off, web resolution images will be taken of artwork for placement on event page. Artists are required to manage collection of payment for the sale of artwork directly from collector. ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS All artistic media accepted Only one artwork at a time may be displayed by each participating artist. In case of sale or other change, artist may display another artwork according to the same requirements in the same location. Membership must be purchased and registration form submitted prior to or at drop-off Artwork must be no larger than 24 x 24 x 4 inches (including any mats, frames, or borders) Artist must be able to hang work on the wall with no more than 4 standard push pins (provided by ArtsXchange staff) Artwork must be priced at $500 or less Artist's name must be printed on the front or back of the artwork DROP-OFF TIMES FOR ARTWORK 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27 SALES The artist is responsible for collecting payment from collectors. The ArtsXchange will provide wrapping/packaging materials to purchasers as needed. PICK UP OF UNSOLD ARTWORK Artwork may be picked up following the event on Jan. 27th,  or from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30. Unclaimed work will be discarded after Saturday, Feb. 3. Questions please contact info@artsxchange.org

Our gratitude to this year's Ebon Dooley Arts & Social Justice Awards honorees! What an inspiring evening. We are excited to see you all continue to enrich the Atlanta community! Thank you to all who came out to celebreate our Honorees. Photo by Jim Alexander, Dec. 2, 2023. L-R: Joyce Sheperd, Cheryl Johnson (ArtsXchange board members); Bridge Builder, 7 Stages Theatre (Heidi Howard); Social Justice Champion, SisterSong (Seyi Adebanjo); Jack Sinclair Visual Artist, Courtney Brooks; ArtsXchange Director Alice Lovelace; Economic Justice Champion, BronzeLens Film Festival (Deidre McDonald and Kathleen Bertrand); Change Maker, Sister Omelika Kuumba; Emerging Leader, Jonathan Banks; ArtsXchange Media Manager Angela Oliver. Learn more about our Ebon Dooley Honorees

We remember and honor Baba Alvin Dollar — a family man, a relentless freedom fighter, community and political organizer, mentor, and dear friend/board member of the ArtsXchange. He supported the ArtsXchange with unending dedication, a generous heart, and an everlasting cheerfulness. We are so grateful. We honor Alvin for all that he has been to the greater Atlanta community and we will work to keep his legacy alive for years to come. 💛💛💛 “I am inspired by the challenges that Atlanta and Georgia have faced and developed into opportunities. I know the complexity of the socioeconomic conditions of Metro Atlanta and I have given myself to changing the status quo. I have always attempted to uplift, empower, and make all of Atlanta the best that it can be.” - Baba Alvin Dollar, Nov. 2023 Donate In Memory of Baba Alvin Dollar To make a ArtsXchange donation In Memory of Baba Alvin Dollar select "+ Add a dedication" when filling out online donation form.

Sign up today to participate in the 2023 Xchange Open Mic Holiday Open Mic and Poetry Slam on Friday, December 8th 2023. Only 10 Slots open for the Slam portion of the evenings open Mic. $10 Non refundable fee due at sign up. Sign up closes after the 10 slots are full. This event promises a chance to win big – $100 awaits the poet with the most points of the evening's slam. It's a winner-takes-all competition, so bring your A-game! 2023 Xchange Open Mic Holiday Open Mic and Poetry Slam 'Tis the season to unleash your creativity and join us for a night of spoken word magic at the Xchange Holiday Poetry Slam! We invite you to take the stage and share your words at the ArtsXchange on December 8th, starting at 8 pm in the Robeson Theater. The doors open at 7:30 pm, and there will be a brief open mic session before the slam, offering an opportunity for all voices to be heard. Don't miss this festive celebration of words, rhythm, and holiday spirit. Come and be a part of a poetic exchange that promises to be memorable!

The ArtsXchange offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24. Come see us Saturday, when you'll have the treasured chance to learn from and create Afrofuturistic artwork across disciplines with rEN Dillard! (It's FREE!)

Great ideas are often born through challenging times, says Chantal Maurice, actor and founder of CoStar Coaching. When the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists unions went on strike earlier this year, Maurice thought of an outlet for local strikers to keep their creativity in motion. “Artists struggle when they aren't able to exercise their gifts and talents,” she said. “The strike impacted artists mentally and financially, but The Spotlight Series allowed me to create something of purpose; a reason for artists to continue to create within the strike rules.” The Spotlight Series, an evening of seven original 10-minute plays by Atlanta-based writers, directors and producers, will debut at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Paul Robeson Theater at ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St. in East Point. The ArtsXchange is sponsoring the event as part of its Paul Robeson Theater Incubator program, which provides free performance space for independent and emerging playwrights who embody his legacy. A nine-year career in TV and film has connected Maurice to many. Thus, she was able to “network across,” a term Issa Rae coined, she said, to find writers, directors and producers. “Any opportunity that I get, I will always look to the left and right of me and push my peers forward,” Maurice said. The plays tackle various sociopolitical matters, especially those plaguing Atlanta. “Sibling’s Keeper,” written by Kim Akia, exposes various forms of sex trafficking and the plight of the rescuing process, with Atlanta following Washington, D.C. in the highest rates of human trafficking. “Mask Off," written by Kayla Bennett, explores the role news media play in creating negative narratives about marginalized communities. And Onaji Rouse’s "Getting Repped” highlights racial discrimination in the workplace. While The Spotlight Series began solely for creators, Maurice said it has evolved her goals, such as her plan to partner with corporate diversity and inclusion departments to create more inclusive workspaces, using theater to highlight equity issues. “Art is one of the most powerful tools in activism because it forces people to feel,” she said. “Theater has the power to evoke emotions and broaden perspectives. It can empower people to take action.” Tickets are $30 and are available online or at the door. Press Release https://www.artsxchange.org/press/the-spotlight-series-an-evening-of-original-10-minute-plays

Hi, friends, It is autumn and the Artsxchange is alive with energy. Days like these highlight the importance of holding a committed space to build community. It is the foundation of our mission. This is a place where diverse groups can come together to celebrate, explore cultural connections, and gain knowledge. It is reflected in the excited exchange between a son and mother viewing The Haunts of Black Kirby, our latest exhibit. It's in the Garden Like a Boss students gathered outside learning about composting. It's in the beat of the drums coming from a traditional African spirituality festival in the Paul Robeson Theater. It's in the Dooley Room, where Market 166 is meeting to build a community-owned cooperative grocery store. And it's in our friends from Alternate ROOTS strategizing for institutional change in the library, all on one Saturday afternoon. There is happiness, wisdom and community in these walls. I feel privileged to play a small role in nurturing it for the artists who make the ArtsXchange their creative home, our members and supporters, and all those who come through our doors seeking inspiration and peace. As we move into our anniversary month of October, we must stop and acknowledge all of those who actively engage in uplifting this institution. For 39 years, the Artsxchange has played an important role in Atlanta’s art scene. Most of this has been under the dynamic leadership of our Executive Director, Alice Lovelace. This is a time of transformation as we continue to envision all the good work still to be done. On October 14, 2023, we invite you to dream with us by supporting our annual fundraiser, UnMask the Future. Come dressed in a costume, cosplay, or mask! Together we will experience a night of good friends, food, entertainment, and a few fun surprises. Dance to the sounds of R&B/funk/reggae band Cafe Au Lait and DJ 5th Wurld, or enjoy an evening under the cosmic sky. This is also an opportunity to meet the studio artists and perhaps find an original holiday gift. Before we put on dancing shoes, though, we also invite you to see the new "face" of the ArtsXchange as we dedicate our new mural by Atlanta artist, Charity Hamidullah! Join us for the mural dedication and reception from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 13, 2023. A prolific muralist with a heart for community, Charity tells a story of the seeds planted at the ArtsXchange and the many fruits it has borne — and will bear for generations — through vibrant colors and imagery that will positively impact our corner of East Point. We ask you to consider becoming a member today. We want to expand our outreach to schools, support efforts to address social issues, and continue to bring intergenerational audiences together. Come with us on a journey, planting seeds for our future! Best, Cheryl Johnson Cultural Curator & Board president ABOUT THE ARTIST Charity Hamidullah's work adorns many walls, from local public art projects including the Dorothy Bolden Tribute mural with the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Pianos for Peace; to corporate commissions including Microsoft and Target. Charity's murals are also featured in various cities since their respective mural fests, including Birmingham, Ala., Chattanooga, Tenn., and South Salt Lake, Utah. We're thrilled to have not only her talent, but also her love for community. Charity is a multi-disciplinary artist who has been living and creating in Atlanta since 2011. Her work began as a tattoo artist where she assisted in helping clients honor their identity through body adornment. Her admiration for community soon transformed her canvas with hopes to inspires and uplift more individuals. Hamidullah utilizes color, figurative and environmental elements to illustrate stories of identity, empowerment and growth while uniting spaces with the love language of art. Follow her on Instagram @creatingfreedomnow. The Southeast Community Cultural Center d/b/a the ArtsXchange receives support from the Fulton County Arts & Culture under the guidance of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, the Georgia Council for the Arts under the guidance of the State of Georgia Legislators and support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta through the A Place to Perform grant, Threshold Foundation, Fidelity Charitable, the estate of Dr. Doris Derby, Food Well Alliance, Peach State Health Plan, Schwab, and Shifting Energy. Support is also provided by our individual and business donors and members. We encourage you to become a supporter.

What a special day! Thanks to all who came out for the mural dedication! See the new "face" of the ArtsXchange as we dedicate our mural, "Community of Cultivation," by the brilliant Charity Hamidullah! The mural tells the story of the seeds planted, the fruits borne, and the harvests for future generations at the ArtsXchange, with vivid imagery that brightens our quiet corner of East Point. Follow Charity on Instagram @creatingfreedomnow. Community of Cultivation Mural Unveiling : October 13, 2023 Artist: Charity Hamidullah Location: ArtsXchange - 2148 Newnan Street East Point, GA 30344

We're excited to announce this year's honorees the 2023 Ebon Dooley Arts & Social Justice Awards! JACK SINCLAIR VISUAL ARTIST Courtney Brooks @cbrooksart, a muralist and curator who builds community and honors Black women through her initiative, @journeyofablackgirl. ECONOMIC JUSTICE CHAMPION Film Festival of Atlanta @bronzelens , an acclaimed festival that spotlights women creators and works to solidify Atlanta’s place in the film and TV industry. EMERGING LEADER (MUST BE UNDER AGE 35) Jonathan Banks @journeybrave, a photographer and filmmaker whose lens illuminates forgotten or marginalized lives. CHANGE MAKER Sister Omelika Kuumba @omelikakuumba, groundbreaking African dancer and drummer, co-founder of @giwayenmata, and longtime Spelman professor. BRIDGE BUILDER 7 STAGES @7stagesatl, a global-minded theater that shines light on political, social and spiritual plays, and uplifts budding playwrights. SOCIAL JUSTICE CHAMPION SisterSong @sistersong_woc, the fierce and unyielding women of color reproductive justice collective. Join us in celebration at the sixth annual awards ceremony from 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 2 at the ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St., East Point. Tickets are $35 or free for members. The evening will include food and live entertainment. The Dooley Awards are given annually to artists, activists or organizers/organizations whose work creatively builds community and advances liberation, in the legacy of ArtsXchange founder Ebon Dooley. Cheers to this phenomenal group! Learn More About Ebon Dooley Awards Learn About Past Ebon Dooley Honorees

To us at the ArtsXchange, Dr. Doris Derby was more than a photographer and activist — she was a part of our family. When we reopened our doors in our new neighborhood in 2019, Doris was one of the first East Point residents to support us. She was excited to have a community cultural center in what she considered her own backyard. She was a regular at our gallery events, along with her husband Bob, and always took the time to speak with the artists. She especially liked talking to the younger artists and expressing her appreciation for their work. Doris supported us creatively, programmatically, financially, and, above all, with her presence. This year and last, with support from Doris and the Georgia Humanities Council, we initiated a six-part program with a focus on literacy and creative writing using her photography books. Her work inspired participants to create reflections and stories connecting her images from the Civil Rights Movement to the challenges we face as a country today. Doris will forever be a part of our family. The last gift she blessed us with was for the planting of fruit trees and a seating area in our community garden. We hope you will come visit to sit and reflect on Doris’s immense love of nature and the countless lessons she taught us about art, service, and our social obligations to each other. The ArtsXchange sends our love and condolences to Doris' family, friends, students, colleagues, and all who held her dear. Please celebrate her life with us as we share the many ways she impacted the ArtsXchange community. Dr. Derby was a fervent supporter of the ArtsXchange, most recently as a part of the "Power of Words: When Poetry Meets Songs & Images" series that explored her civil rights work through the lens of literacy and culture. See the links below to watch her Author Panel discussion from October 2021 and to read our blog about Dr. Derby, how a stop in Albany, Georgia propelled the Bronx native’s journey through the frontlines of racial justice in the South, and the connections folks in this series made from past to present. We were also honored to present Dr. Derby with the 2021 Change Maker Award at the Ebon Dooley Art & Social Justice Awards, Dec. 5, 2021. Watch her acceptance speech in the video below. When I was in elementary school, nothing in the history books had anything to do with telling me about my history,” Dr. Derby said in a 2020 interview with The Guardian's Tim Lewis. “I’d think: ‘Why aren’t black people being represented in these books? And stories, movies.’ We weren’t in them. But we were here.” For years as a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, she worked to document the lives of Black folks — from children on their walk to school in Mississippi to farm life in rural Louisiana to political conferences across the South. Dr. Derby's books of poetry and photographs tell the stories from every angle, ensuring that Black children, and Black people of all ages, will never feel unseen again. See below to read about her bravery and dedication to community organizing in an article and photo galleries by The Guardian. Farish Street, Jackson, Miss., late 1960s by Dr. Doris Derby Workers in the Mississippi Delta, 1960s by Dr. Doris Derby Through the lens of civil rights photographer Doris Derby - in pictures, by The Guardian, Feb. 1, 2020 Now is a continuation of then’: America’s civil rights era – in pictures, by The Guardian, Oct. 28, 2021 In an August 23, 2021 interview with American Theatre, Dr. Derby reflected on co-creating SNCC's Free Southern Theater. This gave SNCC a way to reach people culturally, to share the messages of Black identity, the importance of demanding our rights, and overcoming racism. Click below for the full article.