Search Results

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.

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 FULL NO MORE SPACES AVAILABLE APPLICATION DEADLINES EXTENDED Application Process -  Apply for Sat, December 13, 2025  Marketplace before Dec 11th. Apply for Fri, December 19, 2025  Marketplace before Dec 17th. Applications close 2 days before the respective Winter Marketplace day. 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 .

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.

The ArtsXchange office and Jack Sinclair Gallery will be closed from Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 to Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 . We will resume our regular hours on Tuesday, Dec. 2. As we hold space for the mourning of Indigenous Peoples this season, we also wish you safe travels, good eats and a joyful reflective time with loved ones.

By Angela Oliver EAST POINT, Ga., Nov. 28, 2025 — Art lovers are invited to step into the ArtsXchange Universe as Constellations: ArtsXchange Studio Artists Exhibition  reunites five independent working artists who share residency at the ArtsXchange: Jim Alexander, Tafawa Hicks, Lisa Tuttle, Ric Washington, and Kenneth Zakee.  The exhibition of new works will open with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in the Jack Sinclair Gallery at ArtsXchange, 2148 Newnan St. in East Point. The artist talk and closing will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Jan. 10, 2026. The gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Each artist is accomplished in their field and contributes meaningfully to the creative fabric and community spirit that define the ArtsXchange. “As studio residents, we cross paths daily—sharing conversations, creative frustrations, and breakthroughs. Constellations  captures that quiet exchange that happens behind the scenes,” said Gallery Director and Curator Richard (Ric) Washington. “It’s not just an exhibition; it’s a moment that honors our collective journey and the spirit of the ArtsXchange community.” This exhibition features new works from each artist, along with select pieces that have never been shown publicly. Together, their practices reflect a wide spectrum of craft, technique, and creative inquiry. The diversity of expression on view highlights the unique artistic identities shaped within their shared studio environment, illuminating the strength and richness that emerge when individual visions form a collective constellation. *** ABOUT THE ARTISTS Jim Alexander  is a renowned documentary photographer with more than 60 years behind the camera. At 90, he continues to exhibit, mentor, and chronicle Black life, art, and social justice movements. His portraits and photojournalism span freedom fighters, musicians, political leaders, and everyday community life. The Jim Alexander Collection is housed and being digitized at Emory University’s Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, ensuring his legacy reaches future generations. Tafawa Hicks  is a photographer, printer, and custom framer whose work centers African and African American imagery. Born in Bessemer, Alabama, and raised in Buffalo, New York, he received a BA in Psychology and African Studies from Buffalo State College, where his passion for photography first took root. His evolving practice reflects his commitment to documenting, printing, and preserving cultural expression. Hicks has lived and worked in Metro Atlanta for nearly two decades. Lisa Tuttle  is a mixed-media artist, curator, and educator based at the ArtsXchange in Atlanta. Working across lens-based and interdisciplinary practices, she explores narrative, history, and feminist perspectives. As a curator and advocate, she supports and documents the work of other artists—particularly women in the Atlanta arts community. She established her studio at the ArtsXchange in 2019. Richard (Ric) Washington  is a mixed-media artist whose work examines metaphysical themes, memory, and the passage of time. A native of St. Louis, he holds a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and has exhibited widely throughout the Southeast. Washington maintains an independent studio at the ArtsXchange and serves as Gallery Director of the Jack Sinclair Gallery, where he curates exhibitions that elevate emerging and established artists. His artistic career also includes significant work as an educator, curator, and graphic designer. Kenneth Zakee  is an Atlanta-based artist, poet, and community activist. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he co-founded KMT Asen—recognized as the first African fraternity in the United States—while attending Morehouse College. His community leadership spans the Metro Atlanta Kwanzaa Association, founding the influential open-mic series Klub Kuumba, and directing recovery and empowerment programs for Atlanta’s unhoused population. An award-winning artist, Zakee draws inspiration from African and African American culture, working across clothing, greeting cards, wall hangings, and West African gourds. “I consider everything a canvas,” he says of his interdisciplinary approach.

Story & Video By John Caesar ArtsXchange ended November with a brilliant performance by Chicago-based storyteller and musician Shanta Nurullah. Using a host of African-based instruments, Nurullah not only shared the history of each instrument but wove in stories that matched their sounds and spirit, helping attendees drift to the Continent in their imaginations. Her first story centered around a cow-tail switch, following the five sons of an African chief as they each used their unique talents in a quest to revive their father from the dead. The tale combined imagination, folklore, and rhythm, captivating the young audience. Her next story explored the budding relationship between two friends, highlighting themes of trust, cooperation, and emotional growth using the Mbira – a percussive instrument made of metal tines on a wooden board; and hers with a gourd as the resonator – which is special to the Shona people of Zimbabwe. As bright eyes looked on from the audience, Nurullah made them a part of the performance, inviting a child to play the cowbell and challenging her to create her own beat. As the session ended, some children stayed behind for extended lessons about West African lore, eager to learn even more. A 3Arts awardee, Nurullah has spent her life surrounded by music. Growing up in Chicago, she took piano lessons with her aunt before attending Carleton College in Minnesota. After graduation, she joined the Kuumba Workshop, where she gained experience in African-American theater. Since 1971, she has been a mentor to musicians across Chicago, guiding and inspiring generations of artists. Nurullah’s many accolades include the M³ Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Association of Black Storytellers’ Zora Neale Hurston Award, and an Illinois Arts Council Artist Fellowship. The ArtsXchange was honored to host Shanta Nurullah, whose performances continue to educate, inspire, and celebrate African and African-American musical and storytelling traditions. This performance was part of the National Association of Black Storytellers' Adopt-A-Teller Community Outreach Program (AATP). AATP was held during the 43d Annual National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference based at the Embassy Suites Centennial Olympic Park, November 19-23, 2025. The festival was sponsored by the National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc. and supported by a grant from the Nora Roberts Foundation, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and NABS Legacy Fundraising Campaign.

By teniso seanima | Fresh Oasis Community Garden at ArtsXchange In a world where nearly everything we eat and use comes pre-packaged and barcoded, it’s easy to forget that nature is our oldest pharmacy and pantry. Long before grocery stores and supplement aisles, communities thrived by gathering wild foods and herbs that offered both nourishment and medicine. Today, the practice of wild foraging —safely identifying and harvesting edible and medicinal plants—has reemerged as a cornerstone of sustainable living, holistic wellness, and food sovereignty. It’s more than just a hobby; it’s a reconnection to the land and to the ancestral wisdom that once sustained every generation before us. Why Fall Is the Perfect Season for Wild Medicinals Autumn is a time of transition—both in the environment and within our own bodies. As the temperature cools and plants begin storing energy in their roots, this season offers a prime opportunity to discover herbs that strengthen our immune systems, cleanse the blood, and prepare us for winter. Common fall medicinals include: Goldenrod  – a powerful anti-inflammatory that supports respiratory and urinary health. Mullein  – often found on hillsides, this fuzzy-leafed plant soothes coughs and lung irritation. Dandelion Root  – excellent for detoxifying the liver and improving digestion. Yarrow  – a traditional wound healer and fever reducer. Pine Needles  – high in Vitamin C and used to make revitalizing teas. These plants—and many others—are growing all around us, waiting to be recognized, respected, and responsibly gathered. The Return of Urban Homesteading Foraging fits beautifully into the modern urban-homesteading movement , where city dwellers are reclaiming small plots of land, balcony gardens, and community spaces to grow food, compost, and reconnect with the rhythms of nature. Learning how to identify, harvest, and use local plants empowers individuals and families to take wellness into their own hands—without depending solely on pharmaceutical or industrial systems. It’s also a way to reduce grocery costs , boost nutrition , and build community resilience  in uncertain times. Join the “Garden Like a Boss” Field Trip: Wild Foraging & Fall Medicinals If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to confidently identify edible and medicinal plants, this upcoming class is for you. Garden Like a Boss: Urban Homesteading Field Trip Theme:   Wild Foraging & Fall Medicinals Instructor:   Triztian Wolf Location:  Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, 3787 Klondike Rd, Stonecrest, GA 30038 Date:  Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 Time:  11 am - 2 pm During this immersive hands-on experience, participants will: Learn to identify key medicinal and edible plants native to Georgia. Discover how to harvest and prepare herbal remedies for immunity, detoxification, and vitality. Explore ethical foraging techniques that protect both the plants and the ecosystem. Connect with like-minded individuals passionate about self-reliance, community, and wellness. Registration is now open at www.artsxchange.org/communitygarden (Walk-ups are also welcome!) Presented by Nature’s Candy Farms, ArtsXchange, and Partnership for Southern Equity This event is a collaboration between organizations committed to food justice, wellness, and cultural empowerment. Together, they’re nurturing a movement where health, heritage, and sustainability  intersect—one field trip at a time. Final Thought Every plant has a story, and every walk through the woods is an opportunity to rediscover that story. Whether you’re new to herbalism or deepening your practice, this field trip invites you to reconnect—with the earth, with your ancestors, and with yourself. Come “Garden Like a Boss” —and see the wild side of wellness for yourself.

Oh, what a night! The Ebon Dooley Legacy Awards on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, saluted the visionaries who shaped and continue to impact Atlanta’s cultural landscape through art, advocacy, and community. The honorees were:   Shirley C. Franklin | Atlanta Arts World Changer  Sheryl Riley Gripper | Media & Bronze Jubilee  Deirdre McDonald | Media & BronzeLens Film Festival   John “Kole” Eaton | Arts Administration   Diane Carroll | Youth Development in Dance  Bem Joiner | Cultural Curation & Atlanta Influences Everything Take a look back at the beautiful evening with these photographs by Tafawa Hicks.

AXC Blog By Angela Oliver | ArtsXchange The Honorable Shirley C. Franklin presents the Change Maker Award to Moving in the Spirit during the 2024 Ebon Dooley Arts & Social Justice Awards. A longtime supporter of ArtsXchange, Franklin served as mistress of ceremony for the program in the Paul Robeson Theater. PHOTO BY SHARON B. DOWDELL. Atlanta’s cultural landscape — the jazz festival that pulses through Piedmont Park, the films carried into neighborhoods by a traveling movie-mobile, the arts centers that transformed shuttered schools into living canvases — didn’t happen by chance. It happened because, in the 1970s, city leaders insisted that the arts were not a luxury, but a necessity. One of the arts’ greatest catalysts will receive a special award at this year’s Ebon Dooley Legacy Awards on Oct. 12. Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Clarke Franklin  has been named Atlanta Arts World Changer  by the ArtsXchange for her role in building that foundation. Long before she made history as the city’s first woman mayor, Franklin was the first director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, shaping a civic commitment to arts and culture that still resonates globally. “It actually started as an office,” Franklin recalled in a recent interview. “Mayor Maynard Jackson campaigned on increasing city support for the arts, and he asked me to chair a committee of artists, civic leaders, and arts organizations to create a plan. From there, we established an office (led by Michael Lomax). That became a bureau. And when I was in the position, it became a department.” Maynard Jackson’s Vision The late Mayor Maynard Jackson  was one of the fiercest champions of the arts, Franklin said. Under his leadership, Atlanta shifted from treating culture as an afterthought — funded only if there was money left over — to making it a line item in the city’s operating budget. Previously, the city spent about $60,000 annually on arts programming. With the committee’s push, that figure jumped to $250,000, giving rise to artist grants, outdoor symphony concerts, film series in various neighborhoods, and the city’s now-renowned jazz festival. “We knew success was possible,” Franklin said, “but the success of what we see today far exceeds what I could have imagined.” Breathing Space for Artists Funding was only part of the equation. Franklin also helped negotiate with Atlanta Public Schools to repurpose closed school buildings as homes for arts organizations. That decision seeded several institutions, including the Neighborhood Arts Center, the Center for Puppetry Arts, and the ArtsXchange — two of which continue to thrive today. “The ArtsXchange is an example of how a good idea can be realized with collaboration and partnership,” Franklin said. Why the Arts Matter For Franklin, the arts are not a frill but part of the very fabric of a city. “From the earliest civilizations, art and culture have been as much a part of life as family, religion, and industry,” she said. “The expression of creativity is part of life. If you want a healthy community, you must incorporate arts and culture.” Atlanta’s flourishing creative scene — its theaters, murals, film festivals, music venues, and grassroots collectives — stands as proof of that philosophy. A Legacy That Endures Decades later, the impact of Franklin’s work is everywhere. The city’s cultural infrastructure continues to expand, with organizations from True Colors Theatre to the Alliance Theatre and countless community-based arts groups carrying forward the momentum. “The foundation was already here,” Franklin said. “It just needed to be amplified by the city’s work,  and the benefits have been many.” *** A special Award will be presented to Shirley C. Franklin during a VIP reception for the Ebon Dooley Legacy Awards. Join us in the Jack Sinclair Gallery at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. Your membership is your ticket! Become a member today at the $100 level or above for admission to the VIP reception and the Legacy Awards program. BECOME A MEMBER:   https://www.artsxchange.org/memberships RSVP TO RECEPTION: https://www.artsxchange.org/event-details/vip-reception-2025-ebon-dooley-legacy-awards Below, Shirley C. Franklin is pictured at ArtsXchange in December of 2024, as mistress of ceremony for the 7th Annual Ebon Dooley Arts & Social Justice Awards. ALL PHOTOS BELOW BY TAFAWA HICKS. (BLOG COVER PHOTO BY SHARON B. DOWDELL)