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  • Now is the Day A Life Well Lived

    Now is the Day A Life Well Lived 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 CURATOR Courtney Brooks ARTIST Dr. Doris Derby Now is the Day: A Life Well Lived | An Archival Exhibtion Celebrating the Late Dr. Doris Derby | Opening Recpetion | May 6 | 6-8 p.m. | On View until June 10 March 28, 2022, Dr. Doris Derby, our beloved community mother and art activist, became an ancestor, giving us an extraordinary example of a life well lived. Her vibrant spirit, petite frame, and dreamy yet determined eyes unapologetically took up space as a creative and confident Black woman throughout her career and personal life. Dr. Doris Derby's perseverance is highly respected, and she is thoughtfully recognized as a change maker who succeeded in sharing narratives that highlighted Black people in a positive, affirming light. Now is the Day: A Life Well Lived is an archival exhibition curated by Courtney Brooks, celebrating Dr. Derby’s private and public accomplishments through personal collections, photos, documentaries, writings and personal accounts. Organized with the generosity of the Derby Estate, this exhibition honors Dr. Derby's contributions as a cultural anthropologist, educator, author, photographer, Civil Rights icon, esteemed visionary and scholar. The ArtsXchange is one beneficiary of Dr. Derby's incredible generosity, and this exhibition is a tribute to her journey and the selfless-ness demonstrated by her life's work. By uplifting her legacy, we hope to educate and engage multi-generational communities, now and always, with the story of this remarkable woman. Join us for the opening reception powered by Stefaniyemiya Ingram for Shifting Energy, 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, in the Jack Sinclair Gallery at the ArtsXchange. This exhibition and programs are free events, suitable for all ages, open to the public. Now is the Day: A Life Well Lived Opening Recption May 6, 2023, 6:00 – 8:00 PM| ArtsXchange Register Now Now is the Day: A Life Well Lived May 9, 2023 at 10:00 AM – June 10, 2023 at 5:50 PM| ArtsXchange Register Now All Exhibits SINCLAIR GALLERY NEWS ARTS UNITED Spring 2025 Issue - featuring articles about the ArtsXchange Literary Program, 40th Anniversary, Ebon Dooley Honorees - Ballethnic Youth Ensemble and so much more. ArtsXchange Apr 23 1 min read The Local Take With Kiplyn Primus - Reclaimed Vision: The Art of Upcycling through May 24th at the Artsxchange ArtsXchange Apr 19 1 min read

  • Frankie Mulinix

    Frankie Mulinix (Vandellous) Studio Artist contact@vibrancecentre.com https://frankiemulinix.com “At times let art be a balm; at other, a bomb” - Vandellous Frankie Mulinix (Vandellous) is a queer, nonbinary, disabled, and neurodivergent performer, emcee, producer, dramaturge, choreographer, director, voice teacher, performance educator, mental health worker, and intimacy choreographer and coordinator. Through these various roles, their work is focused on the body as the site of liberation, the voice as action, the revolutionary capacity of community, and the healing potential of unflinching art. As Vibrance: Centre for Voice and Movement, Frankie supports creatives seeking to work with their physiology to build their skills, develop their practice, reclaim their autonomy, and learn how presence, pleasure, and play aid in auto-organization to overcome freeze/survival states, trauma, and other barriers to artistic expression. Their theatre company Burning Bones Physical Theatre, is dedicated to engaging with the local community and expanding the possibilities of live performance in daring and imaginative ways through butoh dance, Fitzmaurice Voicework®, and Organic Intelligence®. As a solo performer, Frankie creates butoh-, burlesque-, fire-, and text-based work with performer and producer credits spanning Canada, Australia, and the United States. They are the founder of Forbidden Fascinations and artistic associate of Celestial Cabaret. Recent notable performances include Art on the Atlanta Beltline, Beltline After Dark, the DANCEATL alumni showcase, Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, and the dance film Construct: ATL which has been selected for UNFIX NYC and Dance Camera Istanbul. Frankie holds a BFA in Physical Theatre Performance through Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, with a focus on writing, dramaturgy, directing, and multidisciplinary performance, and a Master’s in Occupational Therapy from the University of Queensland, specializing in LGBTIQ+ occupational justice, mental health, chronic pain, and neurology. Frankie is a certified teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework® and a certified Organic Intelligence® coach. They hold an Associate Performer Diploma (ATCL) with Trinity College, London, UK, and are a certified Speech Arts Teacher with Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), Toronto, Canada. They are trained in Reiki (level 3), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Basic, Advanced, and ACT for Performance), Knight Thompson Speechwork, TIE’s Intimacy Choreography practices, and specialize in working with trans and nonbinary clients. They are a member of the Voice and Speech Trainer's Association (VASTA), a 2021 Hambidge Cross-Pollination Art Lab Fellow, and a Reiser Art Lab recipient (2022-2023). Frankie co-designed a performance and modified acrobatics pilot program for children with cerebral palsy through the Cerebral Palsy League of Queensland. They formed United We Dance to educate and build support in the Brisbane community for marriage equality through dance and were invited guests at Brisbane’s Mental Health Day. Their work resulted in the Queensland branch of Occupational Therapy Australia issuing a public statement of unequivocal support for LGBTIQ+ folks, recognizing the health impacts of occupational injustices that uniquely impact the community. Frankie has emceed and produced several long-standing events such as Alchemy, Brisbane Square Library’s immensely successful monthly showcase of spoken word poetry, dance, circus, burlesque, and music; Bang on a Boa, the annual fundraiser for the acquired brain injury organization Synapse; Lost Movements, a bi-monthly “happening” of street art, music, burlesque, body art, and dance; and celebration of The Female Form, an annual art showcase co-organized with the painter Vanessa Swift. Frankie co-created the steering committee for and served as the first president of BLP, bringing art, entertainment, education, and community events centered around alternative lifestyles in Queensland. Frankie also trains and competes as a triathlete on Team USA, using all their creative somatic practice to support their athletic endeavors and their endurance sports experience to support their work in the arts. OUR STAFF STUDIO ARTIST EBON DOOLEY HONOREES

  • JAZZ and SPIRITUALITY

    JAZZ and SPIRITUALITY Jazz & Spirituality Celebrating the Art of Oscar Harris Sept. 17, 2022 - Dec. 4, 2022 CURATOR Tracy Murrel ARTIST Oscar Harris Join Jazz & Spirituality as they partner with the ArtsXchange in celebration of the art of Oscar Harris ! Jazz & Spirituality is a collective of artists, musicians, educators, and music enthusiasts who meet weekly to explore spirituality and the lively genre. It was founded by the Rev. Dwight Andrews at First Congregational Church in Atlanta in 2013. The group initially met in-person but transitioned to virtual meetings at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. During that time, their mutual support played a key role in keeping focus on their creative endeavors as many arts venues closed. Oscar Harris, a renowned and prolific architect and founder of Spike Studio in Atlanta, is an inspiring member of Jazz & Spirituality and has been a lifelong artist and painter. Jazz & Spirituality members: Anne Collins Smith, Oscar Harris, Ralph Miles Jones, Deidre McDonald, Juneann McDonald, Nzinga Senghor, Adeyemi Toure SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Saturday, Sept. 17 • 4-8 p.m. Exhibit Opening: Introducing Oscar Harris, Intuitive Abstract Impressionist with MC Deb Moore of 91.9 WCLK; poetry and music by Adeyemi Toure and Ralph Miles Jones Saturday, Oct. 8 • 4-8 p.m. Artist Talk & Reaching the Next Generation with Oscar Harris and Garfield Peart of Spike Studio Saturday, Oct. 15 • 5-8 p.m. Whisper of the Marimba" film presentation arranged by Deidre McDonald of the BronzeLens Film Festival Saturday, Oct. 22 • 3-7 p.m. Spoken Word & Panel Discussion with readings by community poets Kenneth Zakee, Alice Lovelace, Concetta Hardnett, Olu Toure, and Adeyemi Toure with Ralph Miles Jones and Kwabena Willis Artist Talk with Ralph Miles Jones, aerophonist, instantaneous composer and educator Poetry and Music Presentation: "A Supreme Love — Jazz & Spirituality • • • All events are free and open to the public at the ArtsXchange! All Exhibits SINCLAIR GALLERY NEWS ARTS UNITED Spring 2025 Issue - featuring articles about the ArtsXchange Literary Program, 40th Anniversary, Ebon Dooley Honorees - Ballethnic Youth Ensemble and so much more. ArtsXchange Apr 23 1 min read The Local Take With Kiplyn Primus - Reclaimed Vision: The Art of Upcycling through May 24th at the Artsxchange ArtsXchange Apr 19 1 min read

  • Blood of the earth

    Blood of the earth Blood of the earth A Corrina Sephora Art & Metalworks Exhibition June 1, 2019 - July 13, 2019 CURATOR / ARITST Corrina Sephora Corrina Sephora is a contemporary mixed media artist specializing in metal sculpture, painting, and installation. Throughout the past 24 years, Corrina has lived and worked in Atlanta, GA. For the last decade, Corrina has worked with the form of Boats as a point of inspiration in narratives of family, memory, and personal history, imbuing it with symbolism of the journey of life. Her work currently explores lunar images, cells, and the universe as meditation through making. Additionally a side project evolved into a body of work utilizing the material and spiritual transformation of Guns. She works individually and collaboratively creating a dialogue with personal psychology, social interest, and a current state of being in the world through art, producing work, teaching, and executing commissions for both public and private environments. Corrina received her BFA in Metals and Sculpture at Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, MA, in 1995. She received her MFA in Fine Arts and Sculpture in 2005 from Georgia State University, and has studied abroad extensively. Corrina teaches metalworking through her studio and has previously been an adjunct professor in the Art and Visual Culture department at Spelman College as well as a professor of art at Georgia State University, University of Georgia, and Savannah College of Art & Design. A selection of her awards include: “Best in Show” Annette Cone-Skelton of MOCA GA, “Best in Show “ , “First Place”, “Honorable Mention,” and “Second Place” at the North Charleston National Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition; the People’s Choice Award, Ocala, FL where the work was purchased and is now in the permanent collection, and a Silver Award at Icarus International, North Carolina. Corrina’s work is on permanent display at The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park, The Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Greenfield Hebrew Academy, and is in the collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia and in national private collections, including Jane Fonda and Elton John. https://corrinasephora.com/blood-of-the-earth/ All Exhibits SINCLAIR GALLERY NEWS ARTS UNITED Spring 2025 Issue - featuring articles about the ArtsXchange Literary Program, 40th Anniversary, Ebon Dooley Honorees - Ballethnic Youth Ensemble and so much more. ArtsXchange Apr 23 1 min read The Local Take With Kiplyn Primus - Reclaimed Vision: The Art of Upcycling through May 24th at the Artsxchange ArtsXchange Apr 19 1 min read

  • ArtsXchange celebrates 40 years of cultivating community

    1a16f8d0-d5d0-47b5-bd97-7339911ae009 PRESS ArtsXchange celebrates 40 years of cultivating community March 10, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ARTSXCHANGE 40TH ANNIVERSARY artsxchange.org CONTACT: Angela Oliver, media@artsxchange.org , 404-624-4211 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 facade 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.” DOWNLOAD THE PDF Press Contact Angela Oliver media@artsXchange.org She/Her

  • Kenneth Zakee

    Kenneth Zakee ArtsXchange Board Member Studio Artist kennethz.kz@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/kenneth.zakee Kenneth Zakee is an Artist/Poet and community activist. A 35 yr old resident of Atlanta. Born in Cleveland, Ohio. While attending Morehouse College he co-founded America's first African Fraternity; KMT Asen in 1987. He served as Chairman of Metro Atlanta Kwanzaa Assn (M.A.K.A.) and membership.from 1988-2000. He co-founded Klub Kuumba; an open mic poetry gathering (1993-2000) Zakee also worked with the Atlanta homeless population and served as program director for Trinity House-Big Bethel program for homeless men with drug problems. During his tenure there; Zakee established the Kalonji Brotherhood: a rite of passage support group for men in recovery. Zakee has received numerous awards for social and artistic endeavors and appeared on several media outlets for his work. Zakee is committed to serving our youth and inspiring a new generation of artists and leaders. "The inspiration for my work comes from African/African American culture. I consider everything a canvas. I am presently working with clothing, greeting cards, wall hangings, and gourds from West Africa. African symbols state clearly the cultural pride of my work." - Kenneth Zakee OUR STAFF STUDIO ARTIST EBON DOOLEY HONOREES

  • Bobbie Paul

    Bobbie Paul 2018 Ebon Dooley Honoree Bridge Builder https://www.facebook.com/bobbie.paul.90 Bobbie Paul served as the first Executive Director of Georgia WAND (Women's Action for New Directions) from 2002-2013. Prior to coming to Atlanta in 1981 she worked as a professional theatre director in Washington DC and St. Petersburg, Florida where she co-founded what is now American Stage Company. Bobbie's political and environmental activism began in Atlanta in 1982 fighting the Georgia Dept, of Transportation's plans to build the Stone Mountain Freeway. She organized hundreds of neighborhood volunteers and designing theatrical events try to halt the construction a major 6-lane highway that would cut through eight historic Intown neighborhoods and parks. This marked the beginning of Bobbie's long association with Congressman John Lewis, an ally in the fight. fortifying her commitment to 'getting in the way', risking emotional pain to build partnerships in order to advance Dr King's vision of the beloved community. Bobbie spent 25 years watch dogging the Savannah River Site (a major US nuclear weapons Superfund complex located in South Carolina across from Waynesboro, Ga) and fighting to protect vulnerable Georgia communities from nuclear contamination. In 2010, Bobbie led Georgia WAND efforts to win Senator Johnny Isakson's leadership and support for Senate passage of a nuclear non-proliferation treaty with Russia called NEW START. Bobbie has served on the boards of Arbor Montessori and Paideia Schools, Theatrical Outfit, Dad's Garage Theatre, GreenLaw, the Advisory Committee of the Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda. She's been recognized for her grassroots activism by the Alliance for Nuclear Accountability, Eckerd Alumni Association, Metro Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America, the Atlanta City Council and the State of Georgia for her service to the community. She was honored to be chosen to receive the Ebon Dooley Bridge Builder Award by the ArtsXchange in 2018. Bobbie is a founding member of Atlanta Grandmothers for Peace and is still active with that group. She is currently working on Run With Her, a creative fundraising campaign to help elect seven Metro Atlanta women to the the Georgia House of Representatives in November. She is married to filmmaker Rod Paul. They have two adults sons and two grandchildren – also of Atlanta. Bobbie is a longtime member of Central Presbyterian Church. In addition to Georgia WAND, Bobbie is a supporter Georgians for Gun Safety, Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, Planned Parenthood, the Equal Justice Initiative, Abuelas Responden, Nuclear Watch South, and several environmental organizations. * Barbara Seifer Paul – born July 11, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pa. OUR STAFF STUDIO ARTIST EBON DOOLEY HONOREES

  • Icons of Art and Social Justice

    Icons of Art and Social Justice Icons of Art and Social Justice An ArtsXchange Group Mural Project Aug. 8, 2020 – Sept. 4, 2020 ARTISTS Chloe Alexander TeMika Grooms Lena Love Muhammad Suber All Exhibits SINCLAIR GALLERY NEWS ARTS UNITED Spring 2025 Issue - featuring articles about the ArtsXchange Literary Program, 40th Anniversary, Ebon Dooley Honorees - Ballethnic Youth Ensemble and so much more. ArtsXchange Apr 23 1 min read The Local Take With Kiplyn Primus - Reclaimed Vision: The Art of Upcycling through May 24th at the Artsxchange ArtsXchange Apr 19 1 min read

  • Reimagined Joy aims to recharge youth and families after pandemic slump

    0a50bc2d-f80f-4eca-8226-ac118efbd548 PRESS Reimagined Joy aims to recharge youth and families after pandemic slump April 15, 2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE REIMAGINED JOY: A Festival of Creativity & Learning May 6, 2023 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More Info & Free Tickets ‘Reimagined Joy’ aims to recharge youth, families after pandemic slump Free festival to fuse arts, health and wellness at ArtsXchange East Point, GA — After the past few years, many communities need resources to counter the mental and physical toll of adjusting to a world changed by the pandemic. The ArtsXchange’s REIMAGINED JOY: A Festival of Creativity & Learning aims to help youth, families and seniors find relief and reinvigoration by exploring the arts, physical health and mental wellness all at once. The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 6 at the ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St. in East Point. It is free and open to all ages. “We believe that a strong extended family unit is key to increasing the wellbeing of children,” said Executive Director Alice Lovelace. “This program allows us to focus on each participant's ability to improve their physical health, reduce stress and anxiety, and explore their creativity." Reimagined Joy’s various offerings include Sanskrit Moon Yoga, West African dance and drumming class and performances by I Am Arts, a Blues Legacy presentation by legendary photographer Jim Alexander, art by 7 Stages, beading with Sista Shaman, Tai chi, martial arts and Capoeira with Tabala Research Institute, trapeze and circus arts with Steve Seaberg and Earth to Sky Youth Aerialists, artmaking with Lisa Tuttle, seed planting with the Champion Gardeners Youth Entrepreneurs, an East Point Grown gardening class “Food as Medicine,” a sculpture installation, music, food, door prizes and more. “Art making and creative pursuits focus your attention while engaging multiple parts of the brain. We know that this type of cognitive challenge increases the feelings of self-worth and wellbeing,” Lovelace said. “This festival is a source of creative healing after being isolated by the pandemic. We want people to feel that sense of connection, to know they’re not alone.” The festival will also be the backdrop for the opening of our next exhibition, Now is the Day: A Life Well Lived, which celebrates the poetry, photography and collections of the late civil rights activist, SNCC Free Southern Theater founder and Georgia State professor Dr. Doris Derby. Reimagined Joy is funded by a grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts, which includes appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and National Endowment for the Arts. For more information or to get free tickets, see our event page. 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 is home to 14 multidisciplinary artist studios, ranging from photographers and muralists to djembe drummers and textile artists. We empower 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, and to encourage positive change as participants come to a better understanding of themselves and others. Our art is our activism. Visit www.artsxchange.org for more information. ABOUT GEORGIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) is a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development whose mission is to cultivate the growth of vibrant, thriving Georgia communities through the arts. GCA provides grant funding, programs, and services statewide that support the vital arts industry, preserve the state’s cultural heritage, increase tourism, and nurture strong communities. Funding for Georgia Council for the Arts is provided by appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. Visit www.gaarts.org for more information. DOWNLOAD THE PDF Press Contact Angela Oliver media@artsXchange.org She/Her

  • Omelika Kuumba

    Omelika Kuumba 2023 Ebon Dooley Honoree Change Maker Omelika Kuumba has taught African dance for the past 25 years at Spelman College. She specializes in African Dance Forms, a cornerstone for dance majors, and introduced a new course, West African Rhythms. Kuumba, or Sister Omelika as she is affectionately called is a drummer, dancer, choreographer, musical arranger, and cultural arts educator. She is a Spelman alum and studied under the direction of master dancers and percussionists in the U.S. and in Senegal, West Africa. Her career accomplishments include: performing during the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games; teaching and choreographing at Trollwood Performing Arts School in North Dakota, and teaching percussion and choreographing in Stuttgart, Germany, Hastings, England and Bermuda. Sister Omeika co-founded GIWAYEN MATA, an award-winning dance, percussion and vocal ensemble. She is a former Student Government Association member, Miss Maroon and White at Morehouse, and member of the Eta Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. OUR STAFF STUDIO ARTIST EBON DOOLEY HONOREES

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