EAST POINT, Ga., May 14, 2025 – ArtsXchange, South Fulton Arts (SFA), and the BronzeLens Film Festival are joining forces to host Art in Action, a free community event celebrating the transformative power of artists in shaping Atlanta’s cultural landscape. The evening will feature four locally made documentary shorts followed by a discussion with filmmakers and community leaders.
Scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 20, the event will take place at ArtsXchange, located at 2148 Newnan Street, East Point.
The featured films—produced and commissioned by South Fulton Arts as part of its annual Filmer series—explore how artists influence social change, community healing, and cultural identity. This series spotlights the vital roles artists play beyond creation: as healers, organizers, and catalysts for transformation.
“Atlanta didn’t become a cultural capital by accident,” said Alice Lovelace, co-founder and Executive Director of ArtsXchange. “It was built by everyday artists who understood art not as fringe or an add-on, but as an essential component of culture and the struggle for social and economic justice.”
The program includes three documentaries from the 2023 Filmer 6 series:
- “Rhyme Travelers” by Ethan Payne, which centers on the Soul Food Cypher—an empowering space for emcees to hone their craft.
- “City of Kings” directed by Will Feagins Jr., a visual narrative celebrating Atlanta’s vibrant graffiti writing culture within the global graffiti community.
- “Just People” by creative director Jonathan Banks, showcasing ReEntry Arts Connection’s use of art to reduce recidivism.
Also featured is “Say Yes to Destiny” (2024 Filmer 7 series), also directed by Banks, which profiles ArtsXchange founder Alice Lovelace and her enduring cultural impact.
Jennifer Bauer-Lyons, Executive Director of South Fulton Arts, emphasized the event’s mission: “ArtsXchange is a catalyst for important conversations shaped by artists and cultural leaders. Our Filmer series is a recognized platform that lifts untold stories from local creatives, and partnering with like-minded organizations helps us continue that vital work.”
Filmmakers Jonathan Banks and Will Feagins Jr. will join Alex Acosta from Soul Food Cypher, along with Dr. Curtis A. King and Garry Yates of ReEntry Arts Connection, for a post-screening discussion to engage the audience in dialogue about the artists’ roles in community building.
Art in Action aims to inspire viewers to consider how the arts anchor communities and remain essential for cultivating a more imaginative, equitable, and thriving society.
“ArtsXchange is a living example of the power artists have to shape their own destinies,” Lovelace added. “We are proud to showcase these stories that highlight the real and lasting influence artists have on our lives and futures.”
