Hello Community,

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits and overflowing with creative inspiration. As the first quarter of Exodus’s year comes to a close, I want to reflect on the incredible journey I have been on, from the depths of self-discovery to the re-emergence of this project. If you don't already know, Exodus went through a prolonged state of hibernation. Life unfolded in a series of events that called for an immediate pause within this project and my practice.

During that time, I had to grapple with how I was approaching practice and, in that, how I was organizing. This period was one of uprooting, and it feels good to be back, grounded in values and ways of being that make this work sustainable, joyous, and more in line with the core intention of Exodus to be a space that pushes against Frameworks of capital and labor.

It's been a beautiful experience to go through my own Exodus and see how that has shifted the work within this space and the visions of what is to come. I always feel this deep gratitude and thanks to my community. Especially to the people that showed me grace and permitted me to show that grace to myself during this period. A lot is cooking in the kitchen right now, and I'm excited to invite you on this journey with me as things develop.

I also would like to express my deepest gratitude to Studio House Baltimore for providing me with an invaluable opportunity to embark on a week-long residency. It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to teach in person, and during this time, I facilitate The first of a three-part Self as Seen Through Material seminar called Tending to Our Affinities. This gave me time to sit with the curriculum from the Seed Summer residency, think through ways of refining it, and move towards a place to share with you all. 

During the next few months. I will be in residency with Dark Room Oracle for their Residency Ritual. Sonia Litynskyj and I, the steward of Dark Room Oracle, have grounded this residency through conversations about change and what it means to lean into modes of change as a form of practice. This residency gives me the space to develop material around Transfiguration and the power of practice to be a space or catalyst for change related to selfhood and our understanding of the world we navigate. Something that ties back heavily to my personal art practice and Exodus.

I invite you into this exploration.

How has your practice changed you?  How do we hold practice as a relational exchange between ourselves, our materials, and the concept of practicing?  How does embracing change usher in grace for us when making?

Once again, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support and encouragement throughout this incredible journey. Your belief in my work and the power of art fuels my passion and inspires me to push the boundaries of my creativity.

Wishing you all a vibrant and fulfilling creative journey in the coming months.

With heartfelt thanks and warm regards,

Taylor Simone S., Founding Director of Exodus School of Expression

Seed Summer Reflection:

'From Seed to Summer: Archive & Reflection' encapsulates the essence of this incredible journey. Through powerful words, readers will witness the evolution of Exodus from 2019 to 2021, starting with the profound work of resident Ayana Zaire Cotton in Chapter One: 'Southern Trees Bear Strange Data' from her masterpiece, 'Cykofa: The Seeda Origin Story.

Download a free copy here.

Hour at Exodus Playlist:

Take a well-deserved break from the daily grind with our 'Hour of Exodus @1' playlist, featuring a curated selection of talented BIPOC artists. Let the power of music transport you to moments of liberation and joy. This playlist was a joy to curate, and we hope it brings you the same joy and inspiration it brought us.

Listen on Spotify Here

Small Exits Podcast, Episode One: Modes of Reflection:

The first episode of our podcast, where we delve deep into exploring reflection as a fundamental mode of practice. In this inaugural episode, we ground ourselves in the cyclical nature of the practice, envisioning it as a journey that begins from a single point and expands, gathering new understanding along the way. Join us as we navigate the power of reflection in our artistic endeavors.

Listen on Spotify Here or Youtube Here

Bonus Episode Content: Charting Legacies of Symbolism:

Explore the depths of self-expression and symbolism in your artistic practice with Charting: Lineages of Symbolism the first episode of Small Exits' captivating bonus content. This immersive exercise is a journey of collapsing, aimed at unifying the world you create within your creative process.

Learn More Here