ATHENS — March back in time and discover some of the history of Athens City Schools and the fine arts through a new exhibit at High Cotton Arts.
The exhibit, “History Takes the Stage,” features items collected by the late Jackie and Helen Greenhaw that they donated to the Athens City Schools Foundation. The exhibit is presented by the Foundation and Athens Arts League.
“As we worked to set up the exhibit, I became intrigued by the history on display,” Athens Arts League Board President Holly Hollman said. “There is a band letter sweater, for example, that is displayed on a hanger from Jaffe’s, a former Athens department store. This exhibit is more than school history. It incorporates our city’s history. We can glimpse into eras of Athens through these items.”
The exhibit also includes a painting of Green University, photographs, a band uniform, a large illustrated Dick and Jane book, concert program, play program, illustrated football programs and choir album.
There will be a reception at High Cotton Arts at 103 W. Washington Street in Downtown Athens on Sunday from 2-3:30 p.m. to kick off the exhibit. The public is invited to enjoy light refreshments and view the exhibit.
Athens City Schools Foundation President Marcia Day said, “We are honored to partner with Athens Arts League to display memorabilia collected over decades by the late Jackie and Helen Greenhaw and to preserve the history of the school system and our city.”
The Greenhaws were alums of Athens High and educators. Day said they were people who saw the “intrinsic beauty of our hometown.”
“They saw the uniqueness of the people who live here,” Day said. “They saw past generations and the value they add in making Athens the city it is today. They knew future generations needed knowledge of our past.”
Day mentioned that a favorite quote of the Greenhaw family was from Winston Churchill, which summarizes the importance of the exhibit for the community. The quote is, “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.”
The exhibit will be available for viewing after Sunday’s reception during public hours at High Cotton Arts. Regular hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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