Blog

Poets in museums, poets in airports, on billboards, buses. Poets everywhere.

It’s been wild to watch this small seed of an idea grow into what it’s become: seeing myself and my fellow artists on billboards in Centennial Olympic Park downtown and all across Atlanta, on buses across the city, and in the International Terminal of the busiest airport in the world (shoutout to the legend, Steve West, for taking these iconic shots!), and, finally, of course, our sold out show for hundreds at the High Museum of Art on Nov. 17th that marked the culmination of this project and artistic collaboration more than two years in the making.

Since arriving in Atlanta in 2019, I’ve been intentional about putting down roots and nurturing connections that I want to be lifelong ones, whether it’s with friendships or organizations. I have no plans of leaving this place. The ATL is home (even if my New Yorker heart remains).

Faith Carmichael and the entire Next Atlanta squad welcomed me like family shortly after I first arrived here and did an event for them in the late summer of 2019. To be a part of this collaboration with MARTA Atlanta Transit System has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding collaborations of my life.

I cannot thank Faith, NEXT Atlanta, and MARTA enough.

I believe strongly that art and artists should be on the biggest stage, the largest platforms and with the biggest reach.

I can’t wait to see what we do next…

#NEXTAtlanta

Share

“Fractures” just won its 5th book award!!

I am humbled beyond words to find out that my début full-length poetry collection, Fractures, has been named the winner of the 2022 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Award for Poetry!!

After nearly three years of submitting my manuscript and 33 rejections, I never could have imagined that it would be celebrated in this way after finally getting published: winner of 5 book awards, a finalist for 5 others, and nearly finished with our third print run.

I cannot thank each and every reader, librarian, high school teacher, professor, critic, and blogger enough who has lifted up my book and continues to champion what I do.

Share

Catch me on a digital billboard in downtown Atlanta!

If you’re in Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta, come say hi and send me your selfie with my digital billboard!
A dear friend just sent me this (had no idea where mine was until just now). I love that Waffle House is right behind me.
When I moved to the ATL three years ago, it was so important to me to connect with other artists. I cherish the friendships and community I’ve found with Next Atlanta.
Community and connection have always been central to my relationship to the artistic process. For me, it’s never been solitary.
I’m just so grateful to partner with Faith Carmichael and @NEXTAtlanta as part of #TheNEXTMovement – collaborating with iconic Atlanta artists and @MARTA_Artbound to bring powerful art to MARTA stations near you.
@MARTA_explorers
Photo by @SteveWest
Share

“Volta” is here.

I have never been more proud of anything I’ve created as an artist—it is finally here: Volta

In collaboration with two of the most brilliant creative minds I’ve encountered: Brent Shuttleworth & Joe West. Mastered by Ted Jensen.

Each album, each track, our goal is the same: to create something timeless that alters the trajectory of the artistic forms the three of us have spent our lives perfecting.

4 ways you can support the album right now:

1) Stream Volta on your favorite platform.

2) Favorite the songs & add them to your playlists.

3) Use songs in your stories/reels on social media & tag me.

4) Join us (or spread the word about) Tuesday, Oct. 4th at 7pm for our NYC Album Release Show at Rockwood Music Hall (For tickets, CLICK HERE)

*** Listen to Volta HERE

With love & gratitude,

Carlos

 

Connect with/tag me on:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Share

My poem, “Sunshowers,” is featured by Georgia Poetry in the Parks

“Sunshowers” is inspired by those endless afternoons during the pandemic with my kids in the summer of 2020—relishing each ray of stubborn light through the rain.
ATL folks, you can see these yourself in Glenlake Park in Decatur (entrance at the end of the parking lot off Church Street).
Scroll down for poems by Jericho Brown, Adrienne Su, & James Davis May.
Big thanks to Chelsea Rathburn, Georgia Center for the Book at DCPL, & @gapoetryintheparks for including me in #GApoetryintheparks.
For more on Georgia Poetry in the Parks, click here.
Share