New artwork from the Athens Photo Project (APP) is coming to Uptown Athens this weekend!

Join APP in the celebration of two major art exhibitions opening this weekend. Familiar Places – The Annual APP Juried Exhibition will open at the Southeast Ohio History Center (24 W. State St.) on Friday, October 26th, from 5-7pm, and a ribbon cutting ceremony for A Thousand Words – A Public Art Installation by APP, will open at the Athens City Parking Garage (7 E. Washington St.) on Saturday, October 27th, from 3:30 – 4:30pm.

Continuous shuttle service from APP’s Studio (434 W. Union St.) to each exhibition venue will be available for audience members beginning 30min prior to each event and ending 30min after. Light refreshments will be served at each reception.

Familiar Places features work by 50 artists who participated in APP’s 2017-2018 photography classes. The exhibit is juried by Isabel Graziani, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Art History, Shawnee State University. Familiar Places will be on view Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm, Oct 26 – Jan 5, in conjunction with the Southeast Ohio History Center’s exhibit, The Athens Asylum: 150 Years of a Healing Landscape. This innovative pairing of exhibitions at the Southeast Ohio History Center pays reference to the significant changes our community has witnessed in mental health treatment and support over the years, and to the challenges and opportunities that persons affected by mental health conditions have had in their voices being heard on clinical and social levels. APP was founded by photographer and mental health advocate, Elise Sanford, in response to the marginalization and stigma she felt followed individuals into the community after deinstitutionalization of state hospitals such as the Athens Mental Health Center (Athens Asylum).

A Thousand Words is an art installation at the Athens City Parking Garage that celebrates the community and landscape of Southeast Ohio as seen through the lens of regional photographers. Photographs presented within A Thousand Words will be rotated on a biennial basis, and will feature group exhibitions from Athens Photo Project artists and juried exhibitions open to all regional photographers. A Thousand Words is as a partnership between The City of Athens and APP. This installation is one outcome of the Essence of Athens plan. The City of Athens adopted the Essence of Athens in 2014 to help guide public art decisions and celebrate the uniqueness of Athens in our built environment.

The City of Athens, Athens County Foundation, and Arts for OHIO contributed founding support for A Thousand Words. Hilferty and Associates collaborated with the APP and City of Athens to design the installation. Exhibit Three Fabrications and Robin Imaging printed, fabricated, and installed the exhibit.

Founded in 2000, Athens Photo Project (APP) is a vibrant community of artists dedicated to using photography as a tool for self-expression, personal growth, and social change.

APP programs are provided in partnership with mental health and social service organizations to ensure all community members have the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the arts when they need it most.

Each year, more than 50 artists, photography instructors, and volunteers join together to participate in APP’s 30-week adult photography program, which is offered as a component of regional mental health support and advocacy. Additionally, APP hosts a 10-week summer visual storytelling program for teens. These, and other arts and mental health initiatives, are hosted at APP’s Studio located at 434 W. Union St., Athens. APP is part of the 317 ADAMH Board’s Network of Care, and receives major support from CVS/Pharmacy, Envisage Wealth, Hopewell Health Centers, Klienpenny Educational Fund, Natinoal Endowment for the Arts, Ohio Arts Council, and Osteoapthic Heritage Foundations.

To learn more, visit, athensphotpproject.org or contact, APP Executive Director, Nate Thomson, at 740-818-3624 or by email, athensphotoproject@gmail.com.