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Telling Stories Through the Lens Adult Class Our adult art classes are a chance for students to participate in the arts and get creative. Under the direction and guidance of artist and instructor Chanda Scott, this photography class series was designed to explore the power of visual storytelling. Through hands-on instruction, creative assignments, and peer collaboration, students will learn not only how to use their cameras but also how to craft meaningful narratives that reflect their experiences, cultures, and communities. The series is centered around the idea that photography is a language—a way of reading the world and writing our place within it. Each week introduced both technical skills and storytelling principles that students build on as they develop a personal photo essay. Topics included light and composition, emotion in imagery, identity and visual voice, documentary photography, and photo sequencing for impact. In addition, the students got a chance to explore how captions and context shape viewer interpretation and meaning. Of course, it wouldn't be an ArtsXchange event if we didn't put some artwork on the walls. Check out some of the amazing pieces below! Artists/ Participants Linda Green Harold Washington Courtney Powell Anastasia West Robin Harrison Audrey Day Looking to register more of our Adult Classes? For more information, check out our Events & Classes page to see the full calendar. The Southeast Community Cultural Center d/b/a ArtsXchange is always looking for opportunities to engage with community members. If you are interested in volunteering as a workshop assistant, follow the link to our Volunteer page to join our database.

The ArtsXchange will become a portal to a music multiverse as it brings back The Jazz Xchange, a quarterly concert series showcasing the high-energy fusion of jazz with rock, funk, and R&B. Headliners The Goode Stuff Experience, led by trumpeter and composer Tiffany Goode, will perform alongside songstress Lavahi at 8 p.m. June 25 in the Paul Robeson Theater at ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St. in East Point. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and available on EventBrite. Lavahi is a jazz-crossover vocalist, songwriter, and professor known for her expressive storytelling and instrumental approach to the voice. She has appeared at the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Dizzy's Club in New York, and the High Museum of Art, among other festivals and collaborations. The Jazz Xchange represents the next chapter in ArtsXchange’s history of jazz programming. A venue known for hosting the legendary Joe’s Jazz Joint with Joe Jennings and free Jazz Matters concerts during the last two Jazz Appreciation Months, ArtsXchange continues its mission of bringing world-class musicians to the community at grassroots prices. For Goode, this series goes beyond a concert to a spiritual and cultural exchange. “This series is important to me because it explores the diversity and the similarities in music,” she said. “Music is multi-tiered and its frequencies have the ability to impact emotion, to heal, and to transform.” Under the theme “The Music Multiverse,” Goode and her ensemble will celebrate the genre that she defines as the essential thread connecting all modern sounds. “Jazz is the background of the complete musical landscape – it’s the foundation of everything in music,” Goode said. “This series seeks to bring all of these facets into one room.” GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! ••• ABOUT THE ARTIST LAVAHI is a jazz-crossover vocalist, songwriter, and professor known for her expressive storytelling and instrumental approach to the voice. Moving fluidly between jazz, soul, contemporary repertoire, and original work, she approaches the voice as an instrument within the ensemble, engaging each song with care, craft, and a deep respect for its unique possibilities. Whether interpreting a beloved standard, honoring the legacy of an iconic artist, shaping a musical moment through improvisation, or presenting original music, LAVAHI is drawn to the possibilities within a song—its story, its style, its structure, and the connections it can create. Her performances balance thoughtful preparation with spontaneity, remaining responsive to the music, the moment, and the people gathered around it. Based in Atlanta, LAVAHI has performed at leading venues and festivals including the Atlanta Jazz Festival, Capital Jazz Festival, Dizzy's Club, Blues Alley, Bethesda Blues & Jazz, City Winery, and the High Museum of Art. Her recent work includes touring through the South Arts Jazz Roads program with Atlanta's BOOM! Trio. Throughout her career, LAVAHI has worked alongside artists spanning multiple generations of Black music and contemporary jazz, from emerging innovators to Grammy-winning performers and legendary figures. Her collaborators have included Robert Boone Jr., Joe Alterman, Khari Cabral Simmons, Fred Wesley, Terence Harper, LaTocha Scott, Yola, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Lori Williams, and Kenny Banks Jr.

The Art of Literacy and Storytelling: Combining Language Skills and Visual Arts Our adult art classes came in hot this summer with a Paper Quilting class! The students were tasked with using visual art methods create these layered and deeply personal works of art. Studio artist and instructor Lisa Tuttle led a three-day mixed media workshop in which adult students created personal collages inspired by quilt designs. To begin, each person chose a color palette and searched through books for quilt patterns. Next, they created several collage papers using acrylic and stencils. Finally, cut painted paper shapes, photocopies, and deconstructed mementos were collaged onto 16" x 20" canvases, creating storytelling legacy artworks. Get a closer look at some of the pieces below! Our AXC Community Gallery lines the hallways and features work from our adult classes so be sure to take a look during your next visit. Artists/ Participants Kenja McCray Deidre McDonald Melanie Pavich Saundra Robinson Looking to register more of our Adult Classes? For more information, check out our Events & Classes page to see the full calendar. The Southeast Community Cultural Center d/b/a ArtsXchange is always looking for opportunities to engage with community members. If you are interested in volunteering as a workshop assistant, follow the link to our Volunteer page to join our database.

Check out the Volunteer Opportunities for this month! Bring in June with some much needed fun in the sun. 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. For those looking to be outside catching all that sunshine, we got lots for you. And for those looking to stay cool and beat the heat, we have some indoor opportunities, too! Click event to learn more and sign up for shifts. SPECIAL FEATURED VOLUNTEER EVENT - XChange Open Mic Fri, Jun 12, 2026, 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM Volunteer for our Xchange Open Mic & 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, Jun 13, 2026, 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM Help with set up / break down and attend the event! Scrabble Club Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM Help with set up / break down and attend the event! 4th Saturday Writers Workshop Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM Help with set up / break down and attend the event! Playing With Our Words Sat, Jun 27, 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 Creative Careers for Youth | Summer Session Registration OPEN Visual Literacy and Media with Theresa Davis Session 1: Jul 6 - Jul 10, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Session 2: Jul 20 - Jul 24, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Through guided workshops, collaborative projects, and exposure to professional tools and techniques, students will discover how creative communication shapes the world around them. From brainstorming story concepts to showcasing their finished zine at the week’s end, each participant will take home a tangible reflection of their ideas and growing confidence as creators. Parents can feel confident knowing this program balances fun and focus, keeping minds active, imaginations engaged, and communication skills sharp during spring break. Get Session 1 Tickets | Get Session 2 Tickets | Scholarships Xchange Open Mic Fri, June 12, 2026 | 8p.m. - 10p.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, June 13, 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, June 20, 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, June 27 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, June 27, 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

Artistic exploration isn't just for children, it's for ages and backgrounds! Our Adult Class Series features tailored creative workshops that highlight different mediums and techniques to connect with yourself and the process of making art. Taught by studio artists at ArtsXchange, each course exposes the ways we can keep creating as we grow older and engage with our inner artists. Paper Quilt Making w/ Lisa Tuttle Artist Lisa Tuttle (left) w/ a Student (right) During this 3 session course, students explored several mixed-media techniques, including using stencils and acrylic paint to create decorative papers, collaging with gel medium, and preparing canvases for exhibition. The purpose of the paper quilt is to integrate mixed media techniques, narrative, with family history, memorabilia, and photographs. The workshop concluded with a community sharing exhibition in the AXC hallway. Each participant produced a legacy piece connecting their past with contemporary artistic practice. Students were instructed to bring in all kinds of images and paper objects that were relevant to the personal stories they wanted to tell. We saw everything from family photos to birthday cards to vintage posters. Each object told a story about who they are and and what kind of quilt they wanted to make. After scanning and printing these images, the students utilized techniques for painting, stenciling, and collaging to weave together quilt-like patterns with sentimental imagery. Check out the photos below to see all the amazing work they made! STUDENT REVIEWS “The use of stencils was new for me. It's a fun process.” - D. “Today, I learned so much! Mainly how to stencil, especially in layers!.” - K. “My key takeaway is "this is great!" I learned about the process of paper quilting, designing, "building" a piece. and stenciling.” - M. “(I) learned to feel freedom to just create - using acrylic stencils, etc. - satisfaction with having done that tonight!” - N. Message from the Instructor “I really enjoyed teaching the Paper Quilt Collage class. The students were so engaged and created beautiful, personal work. It was great to see their creativity blossom over the sessions. I am growing as a teaching artist, and appreciate the opportunity to share the many art mediums I have learned over the years with the community.” - Studio Artist & Instructor Lisa Tuttle Looking to register more of our Adult Classes? Below are the upcoming dates for our 2026 Adult Class Series - Summer Session. For more information, check out our Events & Classes age to see the full calendar. The Southeast Community Cultural Center d/b/a ArtsXchange is always looking for opportunities to engage with community members. If you are interested in volunteering as a workshop assistant, follow the link to join our volunteer database.

INWARD: A Meditation on Memory and Presence Etienne Jackson June 6 – July 11, 2026 The Jack Sinclair Gallery at ArtsXchange is proud to present INWARD: A Meditation on Memory and Presence, a solo exhibition by sculptor Etienne Jackson as part of the 2026 South Fulton County Invitational. Created to recognize and elevate artists working within the cultural landscape of South Fulton County, the Invitational highlights practices grounded in originality, discipline, and artistic vision. This year’s exhibition features Jackson’s powerful sculptural works in wood and metal, where organic forms, asymmetrical structures, and layered surfaces create a quiet but commanding visual presence. His long-standing commitment to developing a personal visual language gives the exhibition both strength and authenticity. INWARD reflects the thoughtful and ambitious spirit the South Fulton County Invitational was designed to support, offering an experience that is at once physical, emotional, and reflective. LEARN MORE

What a beautiful literary weekend leading into Mother’s Day. I want to thank all of the brave poets who came out and shared their hearts, stories, and creativity with us. May Open Mic & Slam Mr. Funn, Jill, Shariff, Theresa, Mike B., Jarrod and Teagen! We kicked things off with an incredible open mic filled with music, poetry, and even a little comedy. The poetry slam brought great energy with five competitors battling through three powerful rounds of original work. Shariff took first place, Mike B. earned second, and Jarrod — who didn’t even realize there was a third-place prize — happily claimed third. The open mic also featured music from Quinn Williams and Dyce the Kidd, along with poetry from Jacob Sullivan and Kyle Jones. Inspired by the atmosphere, Adam Porter stepped up to share comedy that kept the crowd laughing and added even more joy to the evening. The Second Saturday Writing Workshop was equally amazing. I’m always looking for new ways to stretch creativity and discover poetry forms or styles I haven’t explored before. This month, I stumbled upon a Japanese writing form called Zuihitsu (“following the brush”). The form encourages writers to follow the movement of the mind as it wanders through memory, observation, contradiction, and sudden truth. Associative writing takes some adjustment because it asks writers to let go of self-editing and trust where the thoughts lead. Participants embraced the challenge and were often surprised by what appeared on the page. One of my favorite things about these workshops is watching people leave with three or four potential poems, short stories, or new ideas to continue developing. If you’re looking to spark your creativity, come write with us. ArtsXchange offers two writing workshops each month, and there is always room for new voices, new stories, and new discoveries. Check out what’s coming up next in Literary Programming at ArtsXchange. https://www.artsxchange.org/literary-program

Join us for a 3-session course for adults that integrates mixed media techniques, narrative, with family history, memorabilia, and photographs. Using the familiar quilt format, participants will make 18”x24” paper collage canvases. Themes and patterns can appear across a wide range of stories, including family members, historical figures, and cultural elements. Examples of traditional and non-traditional quilt patterns will be shared. Students explore several mixed-media techniques, including using stencils and acrylic paint to create decorative papers, collaging with gel medium, and preparing canvases for exhibition. The workshop will conclude with a community sharing exhibition in the ArtsXchange hallway. Each participant produces a legacy piece, which they may pass on to their family. Open to all levels - beginner to experienced. | Ages 16+ and Up DATES/ TIMES: Thu, May 14, 2026 | 6PM - 9PM Fri, May 15, 2026 | 6PM - 9PM Sat, May 16, 2026 | 3PM - 6PM TEACHING ARTIST Lisa Tuttle Supplies will be provided. ABOUT THE ARTIST Lisa Tuttle is an artist, curator, public art consultant, educator, and writer who has a studio at the ArtsXchange. Tuttle creates mixed-media objects, research projects, and interdisciplinary installations. She has also become a teaching artist, conducting mixed-media workshops and one-on-one art lessons for youth. Learn More

Check out the Volunteer Opportunities for this month! May is a month of growth, both in nature and within our communities, as the arrival of spring brings renewed energy and a sense of possibility. We are looking forward to these volunteer events and encourage individuals to sign up and participate, whether for a single day or throughout the month. Let’s embrace the spirit of growth this month and take action to uplift our community through collective efforts. Click event to learn more and sign up for shifts. SPECIAL FEATURED VOLUNTEER EVENT - XChange Open Mic & Slam Fri, May 08, 2026, 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM Volunteer for our Xchange Open Mic & 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, May 09, 2026, 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM Help with set up / break down and attend the event! Scrabble Club Sat, May 16, 2026, 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM Help with set up / break down and attend the event! Compost Giveaway Thurs, May 14, 2026, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Help with set up / break down and distributing mulch! 4th Saturday Writers Workshop Sat, May 23, 2026, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM Help with set up / break down and attend the event! Playing With Our Words Sat, May 23, 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.