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Mtamanika Youngblood Curator-in-Residence: Taylor Tousana

 Haugabrooks Gallery – Atlanta, GA
2026 - 2027

 

Photo by Yvette Glasco

Taylor is a 32-year-old experiential curator and creative strategist born in Illinois and raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia. As the oldest of five siblings, she brings natural leadership and a vibrant perspective to her work in strengthening community frameworks through connection and inclusive, empathetic strategies.

With a keen eye for immersive experiences, Taylor leads with a creative vision that breathes life into original concepts such as Femme Energy Fest and A Mindful Mixer. She collaborates with talented teams and community leaders to design interactive events, centering her philosophy on intentional conversation to build connection and foster safe, welcoming spaces.

Taylor's commitment to community distinguishes her within the industry, making her a driving force in Atlanta's dynamic creative landscape.

 
More on Taylor Tousana
 

Exhibitions

Dysport-Topia

August 20, 2026 – October 3, 2026
Featured Artists: ASHYIN, Lowkey Lyss, Sol, Xevier Morton

 

Flyer by Taylor Tousana

 

Dysport-Topia (2026) is a group exhibition exploring the rediscovery of the childlike spirit despite societal demands. The featured works contrast the exuberance of creativity with the external pressures that dampen our innate desire for exploration and delight, and challenge us to reconnect with our inner child to remind us that play is essential to the human experience.

As a mother slowly regaining her sense of imagination through time spent playing and learning with my daughter, I am beginning to understand that my love for playfulness was never lost; it was simply suppressed or redirected into my professional life. I consider myself fortunate to work in spaces that require and celebrate creativity, but what about my peers who weren’t so lucky? If crafting, mixing, and sketching aren’t requirements for survival, but making something with your hands is the best way to decompress where does all that pent up energy go? Can play contribute to making our required productivity more bearable?

This exhibition explores the idea that many of us never lose our childlike spirit; we simply continue to create despite the societal pressure to “mature.” We laugh and play despite the experiences that can break or harden us. In a world that often prioritizes productivity over play, this exhibition serves as a testament to the importance of whimsy. The featured works contrast the exuberance of creativity with the external pressures that can dampen our innate desire for exploration and delight. Through their art, the creators on display challenge us to reconnect with our inner child, reminding us that imagination knows no age and that the joy of play is essential to the human experience.

– Taylor Tousana, Curator

RSVP

Featured Artists

ASHYIN

Ashley Holmes, also known as Ashyin, is an Atlanta-based Pop Art artist whose work explores life’s challenges, changes and the process of growing through them. Drawing inspiration from Frida Kahlo, KAWS and her personal life, she creates a world that invites viewers to tap into their deepest thoughts and their most personal emotions. Her signature approach combines intense colors and bold lines, resulting in her own unique style of Abstract Pop Art.

Lowkey Lyss

Lowkey Lyss is a multidisciplinary visual artist and designer based in Atlanta, working across acrylic, wood, and resin. Rooted in pop culture and nostalgia, their practice uses familiar imagery as an entry point, pulling viewers in with a sense of play before revealing a deeper emotional weight.

Sol

Madison Simmons, also known as “Sol” (born 2000 in Orlando, Florida) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. Her practice concentrates on painting and soft sculpture. Exploring emotions as the center of how we interact with our everyday environments and relationships. Sol attended University of Houston's BFA program for a year before deciding to pursue a self taught career in art.

Xevier Morton

Xevier Morton is a contemporary artist based in Marietta, Georgia. Working across painting and mixed media, his practice explores themes of joy, memory, and the spirit of childhood. Morton combines acrylic, oil sticks, spray paint, and textured materials to create vibrant works that encourage viewers to reconnect with playfulness and imagination. Recently he presented his first solo exhibition, Reimagine.

Exhibition Opening

August 20, 2026
6–9 PM

Haugabrooks Gallery
364 Auburn Ave NE
Atlanta, GA, 30312

RSVP

Femme Gaze

April 16, 2026 – May 28, 2026
Featured Artists: Anissa Baty, Jewel Ham, Abigail Tucker, Honey Pierre, & Nicole Hernandez

Photos by Demarko Hooper

Femme Gaze (2026) is a group exhibition exploring the depth of our world through the stories and works of femme creators. The exhibition aims to delve into profound themes surrounding femme influence and the non-performative acts of kindness and obligation that foster genuine connections. Inspired by the remarkable story of Geneva Haugabrooks, who transformed $300 into a multimillion-dollar business in the historic Auburn district, the works aim to embody the same spirit of making the most of resources as we work to revitalize the community.

 
 

Haugabrooks Gallery

364 Auburn Ave NE
Atlanta, GA, 30312

Contact for an appointment
 
 
 
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About the Mtamanika Youngblood Curator-in-Residence Program

 

“Everywhere I Go is Home” by 2025-2026 curator Sierra King. Photo by John Stephens

Established in 2024, The Mtamanika Youngblood Curator-in-Residence program provides an opportunity for emerging curators to develop and present exhibitions that celebrate Black history and culture.

The program fosters local, national, and international narratives, offering a platform for curators to engage the community meaningfully through art and culture.

Learn more
 
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