On view January 10, 2019

Concurrent events:

January 19, 1:00pm: Visions of MLK Community Gathering FaceBook Event

February 9, 1:30pm: Artist Broderick Flanigan will discuss his work, process, and the research involved in creating “Sitting with the Elders: Stories of Black Athenians.” After the artist’s presentation, there will be a reception and a round table discussion with elders from the community. FaceBook Event

"When an elder dies, it’s as if a library has been burned to the ground. The stories, the voices, the history, the places, and the legacy that were held inside all disappear. Sitting with the Elders uses art and story to capture the spirit of voices long gone and to amplify the voices of those still among us whose lessons we need today." - Broderick Flanigan

Sitting with the Elders preserves a legacy that is vanishing, and it reminds readers of the messy, challenging, difficult obstacles in life we face in order to become thoughtful and engaged citizens of our communities and country. At a time when our nation is divided in many ways, Sitting with the Elders is an important reminder of how community is a bedrock of positive change.

Broderick Flanigan was born and raised in Athens Georgia. In 2014 he opened Flanigan’s Portrait Studio in Triangle Plaza, to help change the perception of this Black community as a crime-ridden neighborhood and to inspire local youth to dream big.

We thank your supporters:

Additional exhibit support and oral history interview with Rev. Archibald Killian provided by the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia.

Athens Downtown Development Authority

Vic Watson Peel of Vic's Vintage