Athens Cultural Center Presents, Character: Faces of Athens. First Friday reception on Friday, January 3rd, 2025.
The Athens Cultural Center is pleased to announce the opening of its latest exhibition, Character: Faces of Athens. The exhibition is particularly special for the cultural center and the Athens community as it is a heartfelt exploration of the village and its lively stories and connections through its brightest asset- the people. Photographer Lynda Shenkman and biographer Ellen Roth set out to capture the spirit of the community—its warmth, openness, and the rich diversity of its people in life-size photographs and accompanying narratives of sixteen residents. From Vince Brennan, who has been cutting hair in his home salon for seventy years, to Josh Bary and Do-Hee Kim, a young couple who left Silicon Valley to become farmers, each image tells a story, reflecting the unique lives that weave together to create a tapestry of belonging. Inspired by personal experiences and everyday encounters, the work celebrates the beauty of human connection and the shared histories that define a place. “I was new to Athens, and the village embraced me like an old friend. Encounters with people from all walks of life ignited a desire to preserve these moments – not just for myself, but to share something meaningful with others,” said Lynda. “And thus, Character: Faces of Athens was born.” The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the profound impact of community and the stories that shape us all. “As we reviewed our 2024/25 exhibitions, we wanted to add a show to the holiday season that invited everyone in Athens to engage. We thought about winter light and soon realized it is the people of Athens who bring brightness to the village, and so, with Lynda and Ellen’s good work, we produced Character: Faces of Athens,” said Becky Hart, President of the ACC.
The exhibit runs from December 21 to January 26th at the Athens Cultural Center located at 24 Second Street, Athens, NY 12015. The opening celebration will be held in conjunction with the Athens Cultural Center’s monthly First Friday reception on January 3, 5-7 p.m. Shenkman, Roth, and many of the subjects will be in attendance. Come by to say hello, view the show, and enjoy refreshments. The show can also be viewed during gallery hours at 12-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information on the Character: Faces of Athens exhibition please contact info@athensculturalcenter.org or the show curators Lynda Shenkman (lyndashenkmancurtis@gmail.com) and Ellen Roth (ellenproth@gmail.com ) . For more information on the programming and events the Athens Cultural Center offers please visit: https://athensculturalcenter.org/ and follow along on Instagram at @athensculturalcenter
