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The Language of Fabric Exhibition - VOL 1 Here at Artsxchange, we challenge creatives of all ages to approach art with an open mind. Our adult classes provide patrons of the arts ages 18 and older to try new mediums and explore a way of making work. In this class, students stepped into a transformative mixed media workshop led by Atlanta-based artisan, designer, and visionary storyteller Agape, the creative force behind pieces worn by Erykah Badu in The Piano Lesson and a contributing artist with Ruth Carter’s legendary team, “The Tailors of Wakanda.” Participants learned how to use fabric, thread, beads, buttons, and symbolic objects to tell their stories through visual poetry. Each session became a journey through self-discovery, ancestral honoring, and deep emotional reflection, culminating in a powerful community art exhibit. Participants also learned her signature Hooligan Method — a soulful blend of African ancestral symbolism, intuitive design, and storytelling through textiles. 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 Audrey Day Be Edwards Brenda Mitchell Deidre McDonald Jackie Brown Janet Saboor Joyce Hill K. Calloway Nadiyah Windsong Pauline Mansfield Lincent Stegall 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.

By tenisio Seanima Planting Garlic in Georgia: Why Fall is the Secret Season for Big Harvests If you live in Georgia (USDA Zone 8), you may think the gardening season slows down after summer. But fall is actually one of the best times to set yourself up for a bountiful harvest next year — especially when it comes to garlic and perennial alliums. At Garden Like a Boss, we believe in teaching methods that go beyond the basics. Garlic, onions, and other alliums are powerhouse crops that not only flavor your food but also boost your garden’s health and resilience. And the secret to growing them successfully in East Point and beyond? Start in the fall. Why Plant Garlic in the Fall? Unlike tomatoes or peppers, garlic doesn’t mind the cold. In fact, it needs a period of chilly weather to form big, flavorful bulbs. By planting in late September through November, you’re giving garlic plenty of time to establish strong roots before winter. Come spring, the plants will surge with energy, producing larger bulbs than anything planted in spring. Think of it like a head start: fall planting = bigger harvests. Choosing the Right Varieties for Zone 8 Not all garlic is created equal. In Georgia’s climate, here are a few winners: Softneck Garlic (Artichoke or Silverskin types): Stores well, easy to braid, great for beginners. Hardneck Garlic (Rocambole, Purple Stripe): Rich flavor, produces edible garlic scapes in spring. Elephant Garlic: Technically a leek, but grows massive bulbs that impress at markets. And don’t overlook perennial onions like Egyptian Walking Onions or multiplier shallots — they come back year after year with little fuss. Step-by-Step: Planting Garlic in Georgia Prep the Bed: Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Add compost or aged manure. Garlic loves rich soil. Break the Bulb: Separate cloves, keeping the papery skin intact. Only plant the biggest, healthiest cloves. Plant: Pointy side up, 2 inches deep, 6 inches apart. Rows can be 12 inches apart. Mulch: Cover with straw, leaves, or pine needles to protect through winter. Water: Keep soil moist but not soggy until the first frost. After that, nature takes over until spring. Bonus: Think Beyond Fresh Garlic In the forthcoming Garden Like a Boss class, we’ll also talk about how garlic can be turned into value-added products — like black garlic, garlic powder, or garlic-infused oils. These not only preserve your harvest but also add economic value if you’re selling at markets. Why Perennial Alliums Deserve a Place in Your Garden While garlic is a yearly crop, perennial alliums like walking onions, chives, and society garlic provide flavor and resilience year-round. Plant once, harvest for years. They’re perfect for busy growers who want productivity without replanting every season. Final Thoughts Fall gardening in Georgia isn’t about shutting down — it’s about setting up the next season for success. Planting garlic and perennial alliums now means you’ll be harvesting rich, flavorful bulbs when the summer garden is just getting started. Ready to learn hands-on? Join us for the Garden Like a Boss class on September 27th in East Point, GA. We’ll walk you through planting, caring, and even cooking tips for garlic and perennial alliums — and you’ll leave confident enough to boss your garden year-round. Call-to-Action (CTA): “Reserve your spot for the Garden Like a Boss class series today. Spaces are limited, and garlic waits for no one!” 2025 Garden Like A Boss | Fall - Winter | Garlic 2025 Garden Like A Boss | Fall - Winter | Garlic Sep 27, 2025 11AM – 1PM GET TICKETS $25 per class. Join us for the 2025 Garden Like A Boss Series led by tenisio seanima. Learn how to enhance your quality of life, reduce dependency on commercial systems, create a productive urban space and so much more. We can't wait to see you at the Fresh Oasis Community Garden.

Story by Maureen McGavin | Emory News Center, Aug. 20, 2025 Jim Alexander during a conversation at an Emory Libraries event in March 2023. Photo by: Bita Honarvar Thousands of iconic images of African American authors, athletes, artists and activists will soon be easier to access and explore, thanks to a three-year grant from the Getty Foundation for Black Visual Arts Archives . The Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library at Emory University recently received the $280,000 grant to process the Jim Alexander photograph collection . One aspect of the work made possible through the grant will be enhancing the finding aid with a more detailed description, making it easier for researchers and course instructors to find what they need. A documentary photographer, Alexander is known for his compelling images of Black musicians, politicians, protesters and everyday people. He started taking photos in 1952 at age 17 when he was in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from the New York Institute of Photography in 1968 with a degree in commercial photography, but instead followed his passion and spent his life documenting the lives of African Americans and their experiences. His work has been featured in more than 60 exhibits, including some at Emory’s Woodruff Library, and he has taught photography at Yale University and other colleges. Alexander, who turned 90 this month, continues to take photographs. His historical images were exhibited in four Atlanta locations in June and July , including The Sun ATL Gallery  and the Fulton County Central Library. N'Kosi Oates, curator of African American collections at Rose Library, is the lead principal investigator (PI) on the grant project. Carrie Hintz, associate director of Rose Library, is co-PI. “The Rose Library has a very robust collecting area regarding African Americans in the arts, ranging from theater and playwrights to literature and writers to photography and artists,” says Oates. “Jim Alexander’s collection ranks among the top for scope and scale. The Getty Foundation’s support for processing Alexander’s collection is a testament to just how remarkable and valuable his archive truly is to visual culture, the Atlanta community and American history.”  Alexander’s photography at Emory The Alexander collection first came to the Rose Library in 2014, with subsequent additions made in 2016, 2018 and 2022. The collection consists of prints, negatives, slides and contact sheets — in all, thousands of photographs taken by Alexander from about 1960-2022. Many of the photos were taken at marches, rallies and protests in Atlanta and throughout the Southeast, including civil rights and anti-apartheid marches, KKK rallies, concerts and music festivals, and more. Images of prominent African American politicians, athletes, activists, authors, musicians and artists — including Romare Bearden, Ralph Abernathy, Julian Bond, John Lewis, Andrew Young, Angela Davis, James Baldwin, Duke Ellington and others — are among the collection materials. “Jim Alexander is one of the best-known historical civil rights era photographers of our time,” says Valeda F. Dent, vice provost of Emory Libraries, Carlos Museum and the Emory Center for Digital Scholarship. “It is an honor for the Rose Library to be the steward of Jim’s photography collection and to be graced with the opportunity to teach and support research using these collections. Jim is also a major supporter of the Emory Libraries and the Michael C. Carlos Museum, and we so value his presence and partnership. We are over the moon about this new opportunity!” The Alexander photography collection offers a rich visual story of Atlanta’s 20th-century arts and culture history, especially during the Black arts movement of the 1960s and 1970s. But much of it remains unprocessed, including images of key events like the National Black Arts Festival and Atlanta Jazz Festival, and settings like the Neighborhood Arts Center (a community arts center significant in Atlanta’s Black arts movement). Work funded by the grant intends to address this gap. The grant project will include two main components. First, a visiting archivist will process the collection to improve discoverability and accessibility. Second, an oral history will be created with Alexander. Oates has been training with the Emory Oral History Project team on how to prepare for and conduct the interviews. Among other topics, he hopes to ask Alexander about his artistic evolution and discuss the context of selected images. Clinton Fluker, senior director of culture, community and partner engagement for Emory Libraries and the Michael C. Carlos Museum, helped bring in parts of the collection over the years as a graduate student assistant and then as curator of African American collections of the Rose Library. “The Jim Alexander photograph collection is such a gift to Emory University and the world,” says Fluker. “Alexander’s photographs capture moments in history that span decades and tell us stories about the African American experience in this country that only a master can produce. Just as he has mentored photographers and artists all over the world, we’ll now be able to learn from his collection of photographs for years to come as it serves as an invaluable resource to researchers in the Stuart A. Rose Library.” Learn more about the Jim Alexander photograph collection through the Rose Library finding aid for the collection or email the Rose Library staff . Additional Resources Conversation with legendary Black photographers Jim Alexander and Tom Dorsey Related Stories Awash in history, with hearts still tender: A conversation with photographers Jim Alexander and Tom Dorsey April 13, 2023 Library exhibit ‘Creative Justice’ celebrates Arts and Social Justice Fellows program March 23, 2023

Oh sheila! Photographic works remembering shelia Turner, by members of Sistagraphy Oh sheila! Photographic works remembering shelia Turner, by members of Sistagraphy  On view - July 21 to September 5, 2025 ArtsXchange Community Gallery A women with passion, creativity and vision, shelia turner believed that African American women were just as talented as men in the  realm of photography. shelia acted upon her passion and invited women with the same ideals and held an exhibition of only African American women.   From that exhibition, she created a space for women to be creative in the photographic medium.  Thus, shelia founded Sistagraphy (named by Susan “Sue” Ross) which has been active for over 30 years. shelia encouraged Sistagraphy members to use their cameras, mixed media art and the like to  be artists, storytellers, and activists to tell the stories of the communities, cities, states and countries. This exhibition is a celebration of our founder shelia turner--her work, her creativity, her activism, her passion and her vision that led her to create Sistagraphy.  The members of Sistagraphy are presenting works by shelia, inspired by shelia and of shelia. About Shelia Turner Shelia Turner 1961 - 2018 In 1993, Shelia Turner , an Atlanta-based documentary photographer, wanted to  create a vehicle for Black women photographers to exhibit their work. At  the time, the world of photography was dominated by white males. There  was no collective of Black women photographers documenting the stories of Black women. Shelia contacted nine photographers that she knew  personally, and they all accepted her invitation. The inaugural  exhibition garnered critical acclaim. The collective’s next exhibition  was held in 1994 under its new name, Sistagraphy. Shelia passed away in  2018, but her commitment to the relevance and importance of photographic art created by African American women lives on. Sistagraphy encourages lifelong learning and promotes the art of photography through  interpretive theme-based exhibitions, educational programs, and  community outreach. Shelia Turner was posthumously awarded the Ebon Dooley Change Maker Award in 2018. Learn more about Sistagraphy

Sista Shaman's Memory Lounge is back! And it's all free. Carve out dedicated time to organize your beloved photos into albums surrounded by fellow memory-keepers, where the only agenda is progress at your own pace in good company. Digital and physical albums welcomed. Bring your own supplies and enjoy a supportive space designed for turning photo chaos into cherished collections. After such a successful first round this summer, Sista Shaman — a photographer, curriculum designer, jewelry maker and lightworker also known as N'Dieye Gray wanted to offer the Memory Lounge on regular basis, with dates in October, December, and more to come in 2026. " We gathered, sorted, laughed, and remembered," she said. "This session was full of stories, sisterhood, and stacks of photos—blurry ones, beautiful ones, and everything in between." Join her again on Oct. 11 and Dec. 6 Time:  10 AM – 2 PM (stay the whole time or drop in for an hour or two) Bring a bag lunch!   Suggested Sorting Supplies: Shoe boxes Cotton gloves Archival tape and pens Soft pencils (for labeling backs of photos safely) Sticky notes (for temporary sorting or categorizing) Photo-safe sleeves or envelopes Dividers or index cards (to separate themes, dates, or people) Microfiber cloth (to gently clean prints or screens) Small notebook or index log (to jot down dates, names, stories) For more info and to RSVP, see

ArtsXchange, in collaboration with the historic Academy Theatre in Hapeville, will welcome revolutionary artist and performance poet José Torres-Tama for a powerful residency that bridges history, memory, and movement. A bold and unflinching voice in performance art, Torres-Tama will offer three performance workshops and three showings of his searing multimedia solo performance, United States of Amnesia: In a System that Seduces You to Forget, Dare to Remember. WORKSHOPS: Workshop Tickets ArtsXchange Member - Free Pay what you can tickets - Free + General Admission -$10 Participants will explore performance ritual, spoken word, and the role of collective memory in resistance. These sessions are open to all levels and invite artists, organizers, educators, and truth-tellers to engage creatively with their histories and communities. Workshop with José Torres-Tama (at ArtsXchange) Mon, Sep 08, 2025 6-9 PM ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St, East Point, GA 30344, USA GET TICKETS Workshop with José Torres-Tama (at ArtsXchange) Wed, Sep 10, 2025 6-9 PM ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St, East Point, GA 30344, USA GET TICKETS PERFORMANCES: Performance Tickets ArtsXchange Member - Free Pay what you can tickets - Free + General Admission -$15 In the satirical, genre-bending show, he channels a “shamanistic time traveler” to conjure the past and expose the present. United States of Amnesia connects the dots across centuries — from the Three-Fifths Compromise and Indian Removal Act to Operation Wetback and Zero Tolerance immigration policies — tracing a brutal through line of dehumanizing legislation that exploits Black, Brown, and Indigenous labor. Through humor and radical remembering, Torres-Tama calls out the hypocrisy of the colonial settler system and demands an awakening from the induced amnesia of empire. United States of Amnesia | José Torres-Tama Performance (at ArtsXchange) Fri, Sep 12, 2025 7 PM ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St, East Point, GA 30344, USA GET TICKETS United States of Amnesia | José Torres-Tama Performance (at ArtsXchange) Sat, Sep 13, 2025 7 PM ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St, East Point, GA 30344, USA GET TICKETS About the Artist José Torres-Tama is an Ecuadorian-born interdisciplinary provocateur of Quechua indigenous descent. He is an award-winning performance and visual artist; published playwright and poet; photographer and journalist; and arts educator with the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans. Among many awards, he has received a Louisiana Theater Fellowship, three NPN Creation Fund Awards, and a MAPFUND Grant award for his Taco Truck Theater diverse ensemble on wheels. From 2006 to 2011, he contributed post-Katrina commentaries that aired on NPR's Latino USA. He exposed the myriad human rights violations Latin American immigrant reconstruction workers endured while heroically contributing to the resurrection of the flooded port city of New Orleans. United States of Amnesia was developed through National Performance Network Creation Fund Award, and co-commissioned by the Ashé Cultural Arts Center in New Orleans and GALA Hispanic Theater in Washington, DC. Learn more About ArtsXchange ArtsXchange is a cultural facility founded in the Black arts tradition that empowers artists, social justice activists, and creative entrepreneurs to engage communities through the transformative power of the arts. The pillars of our programming are Visual Arts, Literature and Literacy, and Land Conservation. We serve our communities through workshops, exhibitions, concerts, health and wellness classes, films, performances, and community gardens. Our resident studio artist program supports emerging, mid-career, and established artists by providing affordable creative spaces. As cultural stewards, we foster resilience within our communities as a gathering, sharing, and organizing space. We make the arts accessible to individuals traditionally excluded from creative industries, responding directly to community needs through partnerships and collaborations with like-minded arts organizations, social justice advocates, and people-led initiatives. For more information, visit ArtsXchange.org , or follow on Facebook , Instagram , and YouTube . About Academy Theatre The Academy Theatre is the longest running professional theatre in Georgia. Founded in 1956 by Frank Wittow, the Academy pioneered a number of developments in Atlanta’s professional theatre community including the first professional theatre in the South to be integrated, and the first Southeastern Shakespeare Festival.Academy has premiered over 400 new plays and has, in addition to mainstage audiences exceeding 500,000, reached over 2 million children and 200,000 adults through its outreach programs alone. Today, the Academy Theatre continues its outreach work to people without a theatrical voice, incubates new theater companies, produces mainstage works, and remains a vital component of the Southeast’s theater community. For information, visit academytheatre.org .

ArtsXchange Executive Director, Alice Lovelace and Brandy Hall, Founder and CEO of Shades of Green Permaculture shared our garden project with the world! Huge thanks to Shades of Green for donating the redesign of our front yard into a permaculture wonderland; and to our funders, Partnership for Southern Equity and Greening America's Cities. Kelly Clarkson Show TikTok: @kellyclarksonshow | Instagram: @kellyclarksonshow  | Twitter: @kellyclarksontv  | Facebook: @kellyclarksonshow  | YouTube: youtube.com/c/kellyclarksonshow Kelly Clarkson: @kellyclarkson Imagine a space where artists find inspiration, neighbors gather, and the land thrives—where art and ecology unite to uplift and sustain our communities.   Your contribution will help ArtsXchange transform its front yard into that place: a permaculture wonderland for the community to use and enjoy!   Please donate today. Grow with us. Why This Project Matters   The landscapes we live in shape our daily lives. Yet, conventional landscapes—lawns, paved lots, and chemically-treated spaces—are failing us. They deplete our soils, waste water, and strip our communities of biodiversity. These problems aren't just aesthetic or environmental; they impact everyone—our food, our water, our health, and our future.   This project reimagines what a community greenspace can be: • Designed for and by the community • A thriving, biodiverse ecosystem that filters rainwater, nourishes pollinators, and grows organic food • A gathering space for artists, educators, and activists • A model for regenerative landscaping—one that restores the land   The Film   Led by Shades of Green Permaculture—with 16 years of experience in regenerative landscaping—and captured by award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Banks, this film documents The ArtsXchange and its transformation of an overlooked and underutilized greenspace into a thriving, resilient ecosystem. This isn’t just a story of a single garden—it’s a vision for the future of our shared landscapes.   Your Donation Directly Funds:   • A water system to capture and filter rainwater, protecting the land and the building foundation • Native plants, edible gardens, and pollinator habitats for a resilient, multifunctional landscape • Film production, editing, and distribution to spread this knowledge far and wide   Every dollar brings us closer to a future where landscapes heal communities, where artists are supported, and where community spaces flourish without barriers. The Southeast Community Cultural Center d/b/a the ArtsXchange is supported by business donors, annual members, and individuals like you. We are thankful for the support from the Threshold Foundation, Fulton County Arts & Culture under the guidance of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Fidelity Charitable, The Community Corps, Georgia Council for the Arts under the guidance of the State of Georgia Legislators and support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Our literary programs are presented in partnership with South Fulton Arts. The official accommodation provider is Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North. We encourage you to become a donor or member today!

The ArtsXchange is thrilled to share the continued growth and success of our Saturday Writers Workshops —a beloved creative space that has become a staple for local writers and storytellers. Due to overwhelming interest and glowing feedback, we’ve expanded the program to meet demand! Workshops now meet twice a month : 🖊️ Every Second Saturday (2 PM – 4 PM) 🖊️ Every Fourth Saturday (12 PM – 2 PM) My youngest participant so far! All ages are welcome. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or someone just discovering your voice, these sessions offer a welcoming, inspiring environment where creativity can flourish. What to Expect Each workshop follows a relaxed yet engaging structure: Warm Welcome Introductions Pre-Writing Prompt to Get the Juices Flowing Workshop Overview & Directions Writing & Sharing Supportive Feedback (With snacks sprinkled throughout, of course!) Prewriting exercises to loosen our tongues. Our Literary Director, Theresa Davis , brings unmatched passion to the program. In her spare time, she creates fresh, imaginative poetry prompts that spark new ideas and challenge participants in the best way. From time to time, community members are invited to lead sessions or test out their own workshop ideas, making this a dynamic, participatory experience. More Than Just Poetry While poetry is a strong focus, our workshops are far from one-note. Writers explore all genres , including flash fiction, essays, and prose. The sessions are intergenerational and inclusive , fostering a rich exchange of perspectives and life experiences. Why It Matters Creative writing is more than just words on a page—it’s a powerful tool for self-expression and emotional wellness . The Saturday Writers Workshops provide a nurturing space for storytelling, reflection, and growth. Join us and become part of a vibrant writing community that values your voice. Whether you're jotting down your first lines or polishing your latest manuscript, there's a seat for you at the table.

A group from the Refugee Women's Network toured ArtsXchange June 28. By Faheem Jivani | ArtsXchange In keeping with part of our vision to brings cultures together through art and celebrate global communities, ArtsXchange was happy to welcome the Refugee Women's Network for a visit on Saturday June 28. The visitors consisted of refugees from Sudan and their mentors. During their day at ArtsXchange, the group had the opportunity to engage their creative curiosities through participation in a variety of activities including a drum circle, visiting the various studio artists, and a beaded jewelry making activity. The visit started with the group touring the current Jack Sinclair Gallery exhibit, Journey of the Spirit , which features the work of multidimensional artists Sean Haynes. They explored the gallery, looking at the different pieces and discussing them with one another. The group then learned and participated in a drum circle activity with Wise Mingo, creative director of I Am Arts, which has two studios at ArtsXchange. The group was able to learn how to play and jam out with Djembe drums (a hand instrument); Dununba (the "Mother" drum, using sticks), Sangban (the "Father" drum, using sticks), Kinkene (the "Baby" drum, using sticks), Cow Bell, and Maraca. After this activity, the group went on to tour the other studios present at the ArtsXChange, including viewing the works of Kenneth Zakee, Tafawa Hicks, Myriam Dondzina, Lisa Tuttle, Jim Alexander, and the Champion Youth Entrepreneurs For Agriculture. The group also made beaded bracelets with Sister Shaman, creating their own unique art pieces to take home, and concluded with some time to look around the Fresh Oasis Community Garden to try some of the fruits that were being grown.

Credit: CBROOKS gallery Read full Rouh Draf Atlanta Article - by Sherri Daye Scott Courtney Brooks Courtney Brooks 2023 Ebon Dooley Honoree - Jack Sinclair Visual Artist Alumni - Jack Sinclair Gallery Curator Courtney Brooks is an Atlanta based visual artist, art instructor and independent curator. Originally from Denver, Colorado, she rekindled her passion for painting by encouraging creativity and connecting communities through the arts. An avid supporter for all creatives, Courtney is proud to be a visual artist first and is not afraid to experiment with various mediums like, watercolor, acrylic, oils and photography.  Through  personal experiences, traveling aboard, whether teaching art classes, painting  on canvas or walls, her love for art and building relationships have led to a journey of curating. Since 2014, she developed professional skills that have provided a platform for her peers through creative direction,team building, private and community fundraising events, solo shows and group exhibitions. The significance of the work Courtney has contributed thus far has opened many opportunities. She is the former a Gallery Director  and curator of  the Southeast Community Cultural Center, known as the ArtsXchange’s  Jack Sinclair Gallery. In addition, the first woman of color  Curator- in- Residence for Art the Atlanta BeltLine,  where she will have the freedom to transform a public art space. Brooks has a gift to work with a wide range of  entrepreneurs, small businesses, grass root based organizations  and collaborates  with emerging to established visual artists of multiple disciplines, cultures and backgrounds. Along with assisting artists/ muralist  as a curator, she focuses on understanding the creative process and undiscovered narratives that provides a sense of urgency. Her  goal is to help maximize artists’ potential and  expand the visibility in their careers. She understands that being curator carries  a role with great expectations and It is a privilege to share work from private collections, establish studio visits and handle concepts with care. CBROOKS gallery