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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

Open to artists across the United States who create work using discarded materials. Cash awards will be given to selected participants. Upcycling is the art of transformation—giving discarded materials new life and purpose. Unlike recycling, which breaks down materials for reuse, upcycling elevates them, turning waste into something of greater value. Upcycled art is more than a creative practice—it’s a powerful statement on sustainability. By transforming discarded materials into thought-provoking works, artists can shed light on environmental issues, encourage sustainable habits, and inspire meaningful change. Upcycling not only reduces waste and conserves resources but also challenges us to see beauty and potential in what others might throw away. Reclaimed Visions: The Art of Upcycling An Environmental Juried Exhibition Jack Sinclair Gallery Exhibit Exhibition Dates: April 12, 2025  - May 24, 2025 Deadline for Submissions: Sunday, March 16, 2025  11PM Awards: 1st Place: $300 2nd Place: $200 3rd Place: $100 Eligibility: Applicants must reside in the United States. Application/Entry Fee: $40 - To submit for this juried exhibition you need to have a current 2025 ArtsXchange membership. Annual ArtsXchange memberships start at $40 (non refundable). FREE for current 2025 ArtsXchange Members. How do I become an ArtsXchange Member? Visit our membership page  and check out the different membership levels & benefits. Select/purchase the membership level that works best for you. How do I check my ArtsXchange membership status? Log in to your ArtsXchange Account  and check your membership status or contact us  and we can check your membership status

Jack Sinclair Gallery @ ArtsXchange is sharing this information in support of our friends at the Rakshaw Art Show and the Avondale Arts Center. The Raksha Art Show is a platform to raise awareness for gender-based violence by creating space for diverse voices and unique perspectives, while building community connections and promoting a culture of healing and empowerment.  Please visit the website for details: https://www.raksha.org/artshow2025/ Ric Washington, Director Jack Sinclair Gallery

The ArtsXchange is excited to announce an open call for proposals - visual artists from the South Fulton County area to apply for a group or solo exhibition at the Jack Sinclair Gallery in East Point, GA, scheduled for June 7 – July 19, 2025. We invite artists in all visual mediums to submit their proposals for consideration. This is an opportunity to showcase your work in a vibrant community space that celebrates creativity and cultural expression.  Eligibility: Artists must reside in South Fulton County. Works in all visual mediums are welcome. Application Requirements: 1. A completed application form 2. A brief artist statement (300 words max). 3. A portfolio of 5-10 images of recent work (JPEG format preferred). 4. A CV or resume. Deadline for Submissions:  [March 30, 2025] Selected artist notifications : [April 15, 2025] Exhibition Dates:  [June 7– July 19, 2025]   This is a chance to share your unique voice and contribute to our community's rich artistic tapestry. More questions contact us at info@artsxchange.org We look forward to seeing your creativity shine!

By Angela Oliver (ArtsXchange Media) Star Power by Dr. Zerric Clinton As an artist and arts educator for more than 40 years, Kevin Cole often asks himself about the needs of the arts community. Across 40 years as a community cultural center that aims to keep art accessible, the ArtsXchange also works to meet the needs of artists on all levels. Together, they hope to help a group of emerging artists thrive with a vibrant new exhibition. In Search of Myself  will open with a reception from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 in the Jack Sinclair Gallery at ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St. in East Point. The artist talk will be from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9. The exhibition will be on view until March 22. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. The gallery is free and open to the public. “While interacting with young artists, their biggest concern was, ‘Where can I exhibit my work? Where can I get some exposure?’” Cole said. “I interviewed over 61 emerging artists ranging from ages 23 to 68. I noticed they were all trying to find their voice. Each one is searching for that something.” The exhibit is a vibrant constellation of deeply narrative art that reflects the personal journeys and experiences of 12 emerging artists: Sheila Bussey, Courageous C,  Zerric Clinton, Tony Coppage, Kaylah Hagler, Loni Harshaw, Etienne Jackson, Ashli Ognelodh, S. Darius Parker, Toni Toney, Cedric Umoja, and Daniel Wingo. Beyond Atlanta, the artists also hail from Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina. Cole said he hopes the ArtsXchange will be the same gift to them as it was to him years ago.   “The ArtsXchange is very dear to me,” he said. “My first major review of my artwork was at the Sinclair Gallery and the it has always been that one place where artists of color felt at home.” Boldly colored butterflies mask the eyes and brown faces of the figures in the works of Ognelodh. Tender strokes of vibrant colors revisit the joy and playfulness of children as they draw, shoot water guns or ride their bike in Hagler’s paintings. Harshaw’s chalky drawings explore the censorship of Black history’s foremost scholars and writers. Courageous C’s striking collages mimic protest signs, depicting the story of social movements across generations. And gut-wrenching writings by incarcerated youth in Montgomery fill the enlarged notebook pages in Toney’s trio of works. “The exhibit tells a beautiful story,” said gallery director and artist Ric Washington. Pictured below (L-R): Exhibit flyer; Star Power by Zerric Clinton; artist/curator Kevin Cole

EAST POINT, Ga. — Five honorees have been named for the 2024 Ebon Dooley Arts & Social Justice Awards at the ArtsXchange: internationally renowned dance company Ballethnic (co-founders Nena Gilreath and Waverly Lucas); creative youth development program Moving in the Spirit (co-founders Dana Lupton, Leah Mann and Genene Stewart); ARTiculate ATLanta (co-founders Brandon Ball, Courtney Ware Lett, and Esohe and George Galbreath), a marketing and exhibition catalyst for emerging artists; the Counter Narrative Project, a powerful storytelling nonprofit shifting narratives for Black gay and queer men; and Stephanie Smith, an Atlanta Printmakers Studio co-founder and prolific visual artist. 2024 Ebon Dooley Art and Social Justice Awards Shirley Franklin, longtime ArtsXchange supporter and the first woman to serve as mayor of Atlanta, will emcee the seventh annual awards ceremony from 4-6 p.m. Dec. 7 at the ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St., East Point. Tickets are $40 or free with an ArtsXchange membership. The ArtsXchange’s 40th anniversary party will follow from 6:30 to 9 p.m., with a toast to organization, live music by the Dr. Love Blues Revue featuring Albert White, Willie Hill, and Eartha Sims, produced by longtime radio personality Tom Davis; acoustic performances by Ken J. Martin and Veronika Jackson; refreshments by Atlanta Utility Works and a cash bar. 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. Join us as we remember him, and as we celebrate the honorees: Moving in The Spirit as the Change Maker; Ballethnic as the Bridge Builder; the Counter Narrative Project as the Social Justice Champion; ARTiculate ATLanta as the Economic Justice Champion; and Stephanie Smith as the Jack Sinclair Visual Artist. Tickets Already a 2024 ArtsXchange Member? Make sure to RSVP so we know to expect you! We can't wait to see you for the celebration! Just want to join us for a celebration without a membership? As much as we would love for you to become an ArtsXchange member, we understand.  Just purchase as many $40 Tickets without membership as you desire. Let us know if you change your mind. Looking forward to celebrating with you at the event! Not yet a member? Your membership is your ticket! Choose the membership level you wish to purchase and become a member today! 2024 Ebon Dooley Art and Social Justice Awards & 40th Anniversary Celebration 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 programming is designed to be inclusive, diverse, andto encourage positive change as participants come to a better understanding of themselves and others. Our art is our activism. ABOUT THE HONOREES Bridge Builder | Ballethnic Change Maker | Moving in the Spirit Economic Justice Champion | ARTiculate ATLanta Social Justice Champion | Counter Narrative Project Jack Sinclair Visual Artist | Stephanie Smith ABOUT THE HOST Elected in 2001, Shirley Clarke Franklin became Atlanta’s first woman mayor and the first Black woman to lead a major urban city in the South, serving from 2002-2010. She was born on May 10, 1945, in Philadelphia, PA. Franklin was surrounded by civil activism at an early age; her father was a judge, and her mother was an avid educator, both of whom influenced her trajectory of becoming a staple in American politics. After graduating with an bachelor’s degree from Howard University and a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, she married David Franklin, an esteemed attorney and political strategist. She and David have three children. A former board member of Delta Airlines, and an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Franklin continues to be recognized across the globe as a political trendsetter. For more information or to purchase tickets, see artsxchange.org/ebon-dooley. CONTACT: Angela Oliver, media@artsxchange.org, 404-624-4211

As snow 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 The ArtsXchange office will be closed  Wednesday, Jan 22,2025 Upcoming Events & Classes At the Sinclair Gallery Volunteer Opportunities

2025 MLK Day Volunteer Day Thanks to all of the generous volunteers who helped to make this day of service a beautiful one! We are so grateful for Shades of Green Permaculture , which hosted this volunteer day as part of its Community Giveback Program to implement a regenerative landscape design for the ArtsXchange. Developed pro bono by SOG, the design resolves significant drainage issues while creating a vibrant, sustainable space filled with medicinal and beneficial plants for community use. The new design — a yearlong project — aligns with our mission of building community, elevating marginalized artists and promoting sustainability. Stay tuned for future volunteer days and phases, such as installing a water system, rain gardens, planting fruit trees, and more! The day celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring legacy of service and community building, reflecting our shared values of collective action and empowerment.