Turning up the volume on Athens art

The University of Georgia’s Richard B. Russell Jr. Special Collections Libraries Building sits on a hill, surrounded by flowers and an immaculate green lawn. Inside, it houses some of Georgia’s most precious historical documents. At the moment, though, the imposing two-year-old building really rocks.

Through the end of the year, the library is playing host to a collection of memorabilia and artifacts from the golden age of the Athens music scene that gave birth to such bands as the B-52s and R.E.M. “ARTifacts Rock Athens: Relics from the Athens Music Scene, 1975-85” is the first of many exhibitions and events planned by the Art Rocks Athens Foundation.

Music gets the spotlight first, because it was music that put Athens on the international map. But the journey started with art. Art Rocks Athens’ mission statement reads: “This is about art. And music. In that order. …”