Some of the Athens area’s youngest artists’ work is on display this summer at UGA’s Special Collections Libraries. The display is featured alongside a traveling exhibition, “The Fourth Grade Project,” which features interviews and photographs taken by acclaimed artist Judy Gelles. For the project, Gelles asked students from 11 countries on five continents the same three questions: Who do you live with? What do you wish for? What do you worry about? Their varied stories touch on the human condition and urgent social issues.
The Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, one of three special collections units of the UGA Libraries, tied the exhibition to Athens by allowing local kids to complete Gelles’ questionnaires. Their answers and self-portraits will be on display alongside Gelles’ interactions with 9- and 10-year-olds from China, England, India, Israel, Italy, Nicaragua, St. Lucia, South Africa, Dubai, South Korea, and multiple areas of the United States.
“The Fourth Grade Project” is on display through August 11. The galleries at the Special Collections Libraries are located on the University of Georgia campus in Athens and are open to visitors for free from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, with extended evening hours until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Russell Library will host a free Family Day on Saturday, July 8 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature performances from various cultural organizations including the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company and the Spring Music School.
