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Series of hands-on workshops, spring/summer/fall intensives for ages 11-18 to launch in April With a new slate of hands-on intensives, ArtsXchange is encouraging young people to push their involvement in the arts from just a hobby to a dedicated career path. Creative Careers for Youth is ArtsXchange’s initiative designed to give young people, ages 11-18, the professional tools, creative freedom, mentorship, and STEAM skills they need as the next generation of innovators. It will begin with a writing and music industry focus in April, and continues through the summer and fall with varied classes on creative design, stage production, photography and more. “We are inviting young people to think about new ways to create their own futures,” said ArtsXchange Executive Director Alice Lovelace. “Creativity and critical thinking are among the top skills employers are looking for." With over 5 million jobs in the U.S. now rooted in the creative industries, these workshops provide a direct pipeline to future employability in the arts, technology, marketing, and entrepreneurship. More importantly, they provide a safe, supportive third space where local teens can find their voice and build their confidence. In a world where parents are doing their best to provide every advantage, ArtsXchange is stepping in to offer supplemental, high-level learning that is both affordable and deeply impactful. Our philosophy is simple: Art belongs to everyone. By keeping costs low and quality high, we’re ensuring that young creators have a seat at the table in the global creative economy. Creative Careers for Youth isn't your average after-school craft hour. Research from the Arts Education Partnership shows that students with access to the arts score significantly higher on standardized tests and report higher levels of happiness, emotional intelligence, and school engagement. By adding the “A” for arts to STEAM — long known as STEM, or science, technology, engineering and math — ArtsXchange is helping to build well-rounded thinkers. “We're showing our youth that their passion for music, fashion, or storytelling is actually a gateway to a successful, focused career, no matter what sector they pursue,” Lovelace said. Registration will open Friday, March 13, at artsxchange.org. CREATIVE CAREERS FOR YOUTH | INTENSIVES CALENDAR MUSIC INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT: Music in Common strengthens, empowers, and connects communities through the universal language of music. The organization curates experiences for people across social divides to discover common ground through facilitated conversation and music. At its core, MIC holds high two foundational principles: it is hard to hate up close and music can change the world. THREE CHORDS & THE TRUTH (SPRING BREAK INTENSIVE) April 7-8 • 11am-4pm • $50 with Trey Carlisle (EMCEE P.O.E.T.R.E.Y.) & Brianna Nicola (Bree Soul) Behind every great artist and performance is a great song. This workshop teaches the basics of songwriting: song structure, hooks, riffs, and melodies. Bring your lunch; snacks and supplies provided. AGES 11-18. JAMMS: JOURNALISM AS MUSIC, MULTIMEDIA, & SONGWRITING (SUMMER INTENSIVE) June 22-27 • 11am–4pm • $125 | July 13-18 • 11am-4pm • $125 with Trey Carlisle (EMCEE P.O.E.T.R.E.Y.) & Brianna Nicola (Bree Soul) Through conversation, participants collaborate to write songs that deepen cultural awareness and build bridges between diverse backgrounds and divided communities. Bring your lunch; snacks/supplies provided. AGES 11-18. BACKSTAGE Nov. 23-24 • 11am-4pm • $50 with Trey Carlisle (EMCEE P.O.E.T.R.E.Y.) , Brianna Nicola (Bree Soul) , & Todd Mack Prefer to work behind the scenes? Explore booking, stage production, lighting, social media, marketing and all the parts of putting a show together. Bring your lunch; snacks/supplies provided. AGES 11-18. WRITING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT: INK SPIRE: CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS (SPRING BREAK INTENSIVE) April 6-10 • 11am-4pm • $125 with Theresa Davis Through guided workshops, collaboration, and professional tools and techniques, students will discover how creative communication shapes the world. Each participant will create a zine as a tangible reflection of their ideas and growing confidence as creators. Bring your lunch; snacks/supplies provided. AGES 11-15. VISUAL LITERACY & MEDIA (SUMMER INTENSIVE) July 6-10 • 11am-4pm • $125 | July 20-25 • 11am-4pm • $125 with Theresa Davis What does it really mean to see? Explore the power of silent storytelling — how images communicate meaning without a word. AGES 11-15. STORIES THAT STICK: LINKING LITERACY TO LEADERSHIP & WORLD-CHANGING IMPACT Sept. 5 • 2-5pm | Sept. 19 • 11am-2pm | Oct. 3 • 2-5pm | Oct. 17 • 11am-2pm | Nov. 7 • 2-5pm | Nov. 21 • 11am-2pm Dec. 5 • 2–5 pm Dec. 19 • 11am-2pm $50 for full series with Theresa Davis Practice community storytelling by interviewing elders and local figures for mini- documentaries. Serve as literary ambassadors through a story hour for younger kids and a holiday book drive. AGES 11-15. VISUAL & CREATIVE DESIGN INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT: SNEAKERHEADZ CREATIVE DESIGN (SPRING BREAK INTENSIVE) April 8-9 • 11am-4pm • $50 with Zerric Clinton Calling all sneakerheads! In this session, you'll listen to your favorite music for inspiration as you create new designs for your favorite sneakers. Focus on creative use of color, symbolism, and patterns to add a distinct twist to your kicks. Bring your own shoes; design supplies will be provided. AGES 11-15. REMIX & REWEAR YOUTH FASHION & PRINTMAKING LAB (SUMMER INTENSIVE) July 20-25 • 11am-4pm • $125 with Jasimine Agapé Pennywell Explore printmaking, surface design, and creative upcycling through fashion! Participants will transform garments and textiles using techniques such as fabric printing, painting, and sewing. Sewing experience is not required. Students will learn to reimagine clothing as a form of self-expression while engaging with sustainability, design, and personal style. Bring your lunch; snacks/supplies provided. AGES 11-18 . LIGHT IN MY LENS: EXPLORING THE WORLD THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY Nov. 23-25 • 1-3pm • $75 with Chanda Scott In a world where images are everywhere, learning how to create them with intention is a powerful skill. This class helps students move beyond simply taking pictures to understanding how images communicate meaning, emotion, and story. They begin to recognize that their perspective matters — and that the way they see the world is worth sharing. Bring you smartphone. AGES 11-18. Click the cover to flip through the Creative Careers for Youth programming booklet!

The ArtsXchange will become a portal to a music multiverse as it launches The Jazz Xchange , a quarterly concert series showcasing the high-energy fusion of jazz with rock, funk, and R&B. The series kicks off with a headline performance by The Goode Stuff Experience , led by trumpeter and composer Tiffany Goode , at 8 p.m. March 26 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 . 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.” The night will also feature a special guest performer to be revealed during the set.

Check out the Jack Sinclair Gallery Call for Artists opportunities for 2026. Submit your applications today! OPEN CALLS Toxic Beauty Hidden Harm Beneath the Surface Juried Show - Cash Awards Exhibition Dates: Sat, April 11 - Sat, May 16, 2026 Deadline for Submissions:  Friday, March 6, 2026  Eligibility: 18 years of age or older Artwork generated primarily through AI tools will not be included in the review process. The jury panel will only evaluate original artist-driven compositions. Application Fee $30 Application Fee | Non Refundable Awards Awards will be given to works that most strongly reflect and embody the exhibition’s theme. 1 st  place: $300 2 nd  place: $200 3 rd  place: $100 APPLY / LEARN MORE 2026 South Fulton County Invitational Exhibition Dates: Sat, June 6, 2026 – Fri, July 3, 2026 Deadline for Submissions:  Friday, Feb 27, 2026  Eligibility: Artists must reside in South Fulton County (Georgia) in one of the following cities Chattahoochee Hills College Park  East Point Fairburn Hapeville Palmetto Union City South Fulton Application Fee: No Application/Entry Fee APPLY / LEARN MORE Questions? Email our Gallery Director - sinclairgallery@artsxchange.org PAST CALLS 2026 Pin Up Show + Sale 2026 PIN UP SHOW & SALE EVENT Sat, January 17, 2026 | 5PM - 7PM Deadline for Submissions: Applications open until spaces are filled. Limited spaces available! THEME: Pin Up Art – Artists must be able to hang/display their artwork using no more than 4 push pins. PARTICIPATING ARTIST REQUIREMENTS: All participating artists must be current ArtsXchange members (at any level) or become members of ArtsXchange to submit work in the 2025 Pin-up Show + Sale. Applicants must be 18 or older. Artists are responsible for collecting payment from purchasers. Artists keep 100% of their sales. Artists are responsible for providing wrapping/packaging materials to purchasers as needed. Admitted artists must be present or have a representative present for the full duration of the Pin Up Show. APPLY / LEARN MORE

By ArtsXchange Media At ArtsXchange, our strength has always come from the extraordinary range of talents, lived experiences, and creative visions that shape our community. When artists, organizers, historians, and storytellers gather under one roof, their unique perspectives spark dialogue, deepen understanding, and inspire meaningful change. It is in that spirit that we proudly congratulate our board member, Noah Washington, on his new role as co-host of (Re)Defining History on WABE. This powerful new docuseries explores the hidden history of Atlanta and the South, inviting audiences to reconsider pivotal events, overlooked figures, and cultural icons that have shaped our nation. Hosted by Noah alongside Victoria Lemos, founder of the Archive Atlanta podcast, (Re)Defining History premieres at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, on WABE-TV (PBS/Ch.30) and will stream nationwide on wabe.org, PBS Passport, and WABE’s YouTube channel. On his new role, Noah says: " At WABE, my work is guided by a simple principle: art matters. Whether art is created to inform or entertain, the production teams at WABE are artists, and their labor deserves to be seen, supported, and taken seriously. I’ve always been intentional about telling and uplifting Black and Brown narratives, and that commitment extends beyond the newsroom. As the host of re(defining) history, I am especially mindful of centering the rigorous, often invisible work of producers, editors, and creatives whose craft brings these stories to life. As a board member at ArtsXchange, I work to ensure that artists have access to platforms, resources, and opportunities that allow them to thrive on their own terms. Across every role I hold, my goal remains the same: to uplift art and artists. I believe that if art is meant to lead to action, we should ask what it first stirred in us to care, to listen, and to move at all." Noah Washington, now an ArtsXchange board member, and co-writer/director Zipporah Dorsey (both center), accept the Emerging Artists Award during the 2022 Ebon Dooley Arts & Social Justice Awards alongside the cast of their play, "1906." Washington and Dorsey created Meadowlark Productions with their friend, the late Solomon Simmons. Their play, a retelling of the Race Massacre of 1906 in Atlanta from the perspective of Black men who armed themselves and defended their neighborhoods from white mobs, debuted in the Paul Robeson Theater at ArtsXchange in 2022 as part of the Paul Robeson Theater Incubator Program. Zipporah Dorsey of Meadowlark Productions speaks alongside the cast and crew of "1906."

Southwest Atlanta Steam Stars Students show off their artwork Community building is at the heart of the ArtsXchange’s Literary Programs, and this month we were honored to welcome the Southwest Atlanta Steam Stars , a dynamic homeschool group, for an outreach experience rooted in creativity, history, and imagination. Led by Theresa Davis  and the ArtsXchange Literary Program, these on-campus experiences invite young people to learn with  artists, not just about them. As part of their ongoing programming, the Steam Stars visited the Charles “Jikki” Memorial Library , a living creative space inside the ArtsXchange. The library isn’t just a place for books—it’s a site for making, conversation, and inspiration. This month’s focus brought us into the brilliance of the Harlem Renaissance , with special attention to the poetry of Langston Hughes . Through discussion and close reading, students explored how art, identity, and community intersected during this powerful cultural movement—and how those ideas still resonate today. To pair literary exploration with hands-on artmaking, participants decoupaged new vases for the library , transforming them into vibrant holders for our signature pen flowers . These writing-implement bouquets now live in the library as a reminder that inspiration can strike at any moment—and when it does, the tools to create should be within reach. It’s a small but meaningful gesture that reinforces a big idea: writing belongs to everyone. Theresa Davis showing coloring sheet to students. In the coming months, the Steam Stars and the ArtsXchange will continue these conversations about the artists of the Harlem Renaissance , creating space for youth to connect history to their own voices and lived experiences. These sessions encourage curiosity, confidence, and creative risk-taking—skills that extend far beyond the page. The impact of the ArtsXchange Literary Programs  on youth in our community is both immediate and lasting. By offering intergenerational learning, artist-led workshops, and welcoming creative spaces, we help young people see themselves as writers, thinkers, and cultural contributors. Programs like this build literacy, critical thinking, and self-expression while strengthening community ties across age groups and backgrounds. Southwest Atlanta Steam Stars Students and staff show off their creations with Teaching Artist Theresa Davis If you are part of a homeschool group interested in outreach opportunities , we would love to connect with you. Please contact Theresa Davis at theresa@artsxchange.org . A small fee helps cover artist supplies and time, ensuring these experiences remain sustainable and high-quality. We also invite families and youth to join us for Playing With Our Words , our free 4th Saturday gameplay and creative writing workshop , held from 2:00–4:00 PM  at the ArtsXchange. Through games, prompts, and collaborative fun, participants of all ages discover that writing can be joyful, accessible, and community-centered. Check out our upcoming events and classes. Photos by Mocha Kelly

Check out the Literary Programs coming to the ArtsXchange this month! Photos by Mocha Kelley - Featuring Jan 2026 Literary Program Attendees Xchange Open Mic (No Slam) Fri, Feb. 13, 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, Feb. 14, 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 Ink & Image Wed, Feb. 18, 2026 | 7p.m. - 9p.m. $10 Ink & Image is our new ekphrastic creative writing workshop in the Jack Sinclair Gallery, where visual art becomes the spark for poems, stories, and unexpected voices. With each new exhibition, participants will move through the gallery, choosing artworks that call to them. What will you be inspired to write?   Learm More / Register for Workshop Scrabble Sat, Feb. 21, 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, Feb. 28, 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 Saturday, Feb. 28, 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! 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 Our literary programs are presented in partnership with Fulton Institute.

The ArtsXchange has a few vendor opportunities coming up for the 2025 holiday season. It is our goal to offer our community a diverse selection of unique artist wares. A limited number of spaces are available. Vendors will be accepted based on space availability as well as product distinction. Looking forward to receiving your applications. 2025 Winter Holiday Marketplace - Vendor Application Dates & Times for 2025 Winter Holiday Marketplace Sat., December 13th  | 2PM - 8PM  Fri., December 19th  | 5PM - 10PM Sat., December 20th | 2PM - 8PM - DATE IS FULL / NO MORE SPACES AVAILABLE APPLICATION DEADLINES EXTENDED Application Process -  Apply for Sat, December 13, 2025  Marketplace by 12 PM PM Fri., Dec 12th. Apply for Fri, December 19, 2025  Marketplace by 11:59 PM Wed, Dec 17th. If all spaces are filled, application may be taken down early.  Vendors will be notified of acceptance or non acceptance by the application deadline. Vendors will be contacted and receive invoice via the email provided in application. Accepted Vendors invoice payments must be paid in full in advance or prior to setting up their table on the respective marketplace day. No exceptions. Accepted payment methods: Cash, Zelle and Check. Vendor Spaces / Rates -  Ebon Dooley Room: $25 per day Robeson Theater: $50 per day (Robeson Theater not available Sat, Dec, 20). Interested in being a vendor at the event? Submit your application today. A limited number of spaces are available. Vendors will be accepted based on space availability as well as product diversity. Submission of application form is only a request to be a vendor. Submission of form is not a confirmation of acceptance.  View application for full details, guidelines and rules. 2025 Umoja! Kwanzaa Celebration - Vendor Application Date & Time for 2025 Umoja! Kwanzaa Celebration Friday, December 26th | 3PM - 7PM Application Process -  Application Deadline Monday, December 15, 2025. If all spaces are filled, application may be taken down before Monday, December 15, 2025.  Vendors will be notified of acceptance or not, on or before Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Vendors will be contacted and receive invoice via the email provided in application. Accepted vendors invoice payments must be paid in full no later than Saturday, December 20, 2025. Accepted payment methods - Cash, Zelle, and Check. Vendor Spaces / Rates -  Ebon Dooley Room - $50 per day ArtsXchange Hallway -  $50 per day  Interested in being a vendor at the event? Submit your application today. A limited number of spaces are available. Vendors will be accepted based on space availability as well as product diversity. Submission of application form is only a request to be a vendor. Submission of form is not a confirmation of acceptance.  View application for full details, guidelines and rules. If you have questions about the form please contact us .

Want to try making gifts with your own hands? Learn stenciling techniques for cloth, wood, and painted furniture with Lisa Tuttle; and learn to use textiles to embellish notebooks and greeting cards with Kenneth Zakee. All supplies provided. Limited Spaces. Sign Up today! Sat, Dec 13, 2025 Stenciling on Cloth and T-Shirts - With Lisa Tuttle Sat, Dec 13, 2025, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St, East Point, GA 30344, USA $15 - Limited Spaces - Participants will learn to “paint” on cloth. Examples: T-shirts, clothing, small banners, or table linens. Using acrylic textile paint, students will apply permanent, washable designs to cloth using pre-cut stencils. RSVP / GET TICKETS Gift Making For The Holidays with Kenneth Zakee-12-13-25 Sat, Dec 13, 2025, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St, East Point, GA 30344, USA $15 - Limited Spaces - Participants will learn how to use textiles to embellish notebooks and greeting cards. All supplies provided. Ages 10 - 80 RSVP / GET TICKETS Sat, Dec 20, 2025 Stenciling on Wood and Painted Furniture with Lisa Tuttle Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St, East Point, GA 30344, USA $15 - Limited Spaces - Participants will learn to stencil designs onto painted wood or furniture. Using acrylic paint, students will apply designs to latex-painted wood using pre-cut stencils. RSVP / GET TICKETS Gift Making For The Holidays with Kenneth Zakee 12-20-25 Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St, East Point, GA 30344, USA $15 - Limited Spaces - Participants will learn how to use textiles to embellish notebooks and greeting cards. All supplies provided. Ages 10 - 80 RSVP / GET TICKETS 2025 Winter Holiday Marketplace Days Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM RSVP Fri, Dec 19, 2025, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM RSVP Dec 20, 2025, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM RSVP FREE | Open to the public - Wrap your holidays in art and culture at the ArtsXchange Winter Holiday Marketplace. Find vibrant original artworks, cultural wares, books, jewelry, and more! Come shop with us and support local artisans.

Rooted in Justice. Growing through Art. Give & Grow With Us | Giving Tuesday 2025   Dear ArtsXchange Community,   Here, art belongs to everyone.For more than four decades, the ArtsXchange has stood as a sanctuary for artists, storytellers, creative entrepreneurs, and community builders. In 2025 alone, we served over 10,000 people, and our spaces welcomed more than 17,000 individuals for exhibitions, workshops, performances, environmental programming, event rentals, and community gatherings.   Every voice lifted, every story shared, every seed planted, and every young person who steps into their creativity is possible because people like you choose to invest in justice and transformation through art.   This Giving Tuesday , and as we move into 2026, we ask for your continued support to expand the work that has taken root—and to grow new possibilities that nourish our community for generations.   With gratitude,   The ArtsXchange Team Jack Sinclair Gallery A space for emerging and established artists, especially Black, Brown, and marginalized voices.   Impact: Exhibitions centered on liberation, environmental justice, cultural memory Free public access to thought-provoking shows Monetary awards for juried shows Artists keep 100% of their sales   Reflections from Visitors: "Happy to see the work and humanitarian thinking of these young artists on a theme about which little is known or understood. Congratulations on opening hearts and minds through art!"  - Barbara on Ayiti-Quisqueya: Nexus of the Taino exhibit LERAN MORE Paul Robeson Theater A home for powerful performances, workshops, screenings, and gatherings that center culture, truth-telling, and unheard perspectives.  Impact: Plays, readings, film screenings Artist residencies and workshops Paul Robeson Theater Incubator Program provides free rehearsal and performance space for emerging and independent playwrights   Reflections from Visitors: "Bravo!! What a way to end Juneteenth!! The film was insightful, the food delicious, the entertainment and film Q & A wonderful. Kudos to everyone involved."   - Rob on Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat film screening LEARN MORE Fresh Oasis Community Gardens A Living classrooms where environmental justice is taught through hands-on experience, and nourishment of the body and mind.   Impact: Free plant and mulch distribution Garden plots for individual purchase Classes on sustainable gardening Expansion of orchard, permaculture garden, and outdoor classrooms   Reflections from Visitors: "I’ve met a lot of people, a few of which have actually come to my garden to help and volunteer or just to visit. I can see the connections being made within the workshop-goers and it’s beautiful."   - Crystal Joy on Garden Like a Boss class series LEARN MORE Literary Arts Programs Poetry slams, writing workshops, open mic nights, and Scrabble Club strengthen literacy, confidence, and creative connections.   Impact: First-time authors published Children improving literacy and vocabulary Bridging intergenerational gaps through games and conversation   Reflections from Visitors: "This was really powerful in breaking the word dam that I’ve been dealing with. Now I’m feeling a little trickle of creative juices, and I’m so excited to keep it going and keep coming back. Being in the room with so many talented writers made a big difference, too."   - Kai on the Saturday Writers Workshop LEARN MORE Classes, Workshops & Events From free jazz concerts to affordable art classes, ArtsXchange offers workshops and events that spark connection, joy, and lifelong learning.   Impact: Dozens of seniors find a second act and many reconnect from the isolation of the pandemic shutdown Supplemental learning for youth and homeschool groups An avenue for teaching artists to share their skills and receive pay  Reflections from Visitors: "I am impressed with the quality of the programs and oferrings at ArtsXchange. Pricing is affordable and accessible. Programs are current and relevant. Thank you."   - Audrey, active ArtsXchange member LEARN MORE The Southeast Community Cultural Center d/b/a the ArtsXchange thrives and grows because of the generous support from business donors, annual members, and individuals like you. We are deeply thankful for the pivotal role played by the funders below, as well as the Threshold Foundation and Paul R. Jones Heritage Fund. Our literary programs are in partnership with South Fulton Arts. We encourage you to become a donor or member today and participate in our impactful journey. We are grateful for the collective effort of our friends, members, and partners, who generously support our vision and help make our programs possible.

By teniso seanima | Fresh Oasis Community Garden at ArtsXchange In every thriving garden, there’s one secret that lies beneath the surface—literally. Healthy soil is the foundation of abundant harvests, resilient plants, cleaner ecosystems, and truly sustainable homesteading. And this past weekend, our “Garden Like A Boss” community dove deep into exactly that. At Nature’s Candy Farms, surrounded by steaming compost and the rich scent of living soil, participants joined master grower and sustainability leader Khari Diop for a hands-on training in Professional-Quality Compost Production. What unfolded was more than a workshop—it was a reclaiming of ancestral agricultural wisdom paired with the best of modern ecological science. Composting: The Engine of Regenerative Gardening So often in urban spaces, organic “waste” is seen as…well, waste. But in the right hands, it becomes power. During the field trip, Khari broke down how compost isn’t just decomposed material—it’s a living ecosystem, teeming with microbes that: Restore depleted soils Improve water retention Reduce plant disease Support nutrient-dense food production Lower our dependence on synthetic fertilizers Participants learned how to build compost piles the right way—balancing carbon and nitrogen inputs, understanding the critical role of temperature, oxygen, and moisture, and how to transform everyday materials (leaves, food scraps, coffee grounds, livestock bedding) into black gold. You don’t feed the plants—you feed the soil, and the soil feeds everything else. That was the heart of the message, and the energy was undeniable. Hands plunged into warm compost. Thermometers went deep. Questions flew. Lightbulbs turned on. This is urban homesteading at its finest—skill-building, empowerment, and community all working together to build a more resilient food system. Looking Forward: Tree Grafting — Reviving a Dying Art With soil mastery under our belts, we turn now to the final class of our Fall 2025 series—and it’s one you won’t want to miss. Tree grafting is one of the oldest horticultural techniques on Earth, yet today it risks becoming a lost skill. For centuries, people used grafting to: Clone the best fruit varieties Repair storm- or pest-damaged trees Create multi-variety “fruit cocktail” trees Preserve endangered heirloom genetics Expand orchards without starting from seed And on December 6th, we bring this knowledge home. Garden Like A Boss: Urban Homesteading Theme: Tree Grafting — Reviving the Dying Art Guest Instructor: Niamke Shropshire-Boykin of GlycoSponge 📍 ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St., East Point, GA 30344 📅 December 6, 2025 🕚 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM 🔗 Regis ter / Get Tickets (Walk-ups welcome!) Niamke—an innovative grower, researcher, and agricultural storyteller—will guide participants through: The science of why grafting works Tools and techniques for successful graft unions Choosing rootstocks and scions How to save damaged trees How to produce your own custom fruit varieties Hands-on practice with real grafting demonstrations This is a rare opportunity to learn a dying craft that has shaped food cultures around the world. Whether you’re a backyard grower or developing an orchard, this workshop will boost your confidence and your harvests. Why These Classes Matter Urban homesteading isn’t just a trend. It’s a movement toward independence, resilience, health, and community. Every class—from foraging, to composting, to grafting—helps us reclaim skills that generations before us relied on for survival. As we reach the end of the Fall 2025 series, we celebrate the growers, families, elders, youth, and newcomers who continue showing up, ready to learn, build, and cultivate something meaningful. Together, we’re nurturing not just land, but legacy. Final Thought Soil is the beginning. Trees are the inheritance. With every workshop, every garden bed, every restored landscape, we’re writing a new chapter of community wellness and land stewardship. Join us for the final class of the season—and let’s keep growing, grafting, and homesteading like a boss. Register now Presented by Nature’s Candy Farms, ArtsXchange, Partnership for Southern Equity & Greening America’s Cities.