Athens Reporter

The Lyndon House Arts Center is set to host the exhibition "Linnentown Then and Now: Paintings by Caroline Coleman" from March 30 to May 10, 2024. The artist reception is scheduled for April 9 from 6 to 8 pm.

Caroline Coleman, the artist and educator behind the exhibition, has a personal connection to the Athens neighborhood of Linnentown, which was demolished in the 1960s to make way for the expansion of the University of Georgia. Coleman's grandparents were residents of Linnentown, and she uses her art to tell their story and the stories of other community members who were displaced.

In her own words, Caroline Coleman shared, "My grandparents Davis Johnson Sr. and Carrie Lou Faust Johnson lived in Linnentown at 123 Lyndon Row, Athens, GA, for which they were paid $2950 in 1964 by the City of Athens under the guise of Urban Renewal." She continued, "My mother, Geneva Johnson, is their seventh child of eight. She, along with Joey Carter, began the research and advocacy into the Linnentown project."

The exhibition will feature portraits of the faces of the Linnentown community, set against the backdrop of the current landscape of the Athens neighborhood. Through her paintings, Coleman aims to bring attention to the injustices faced by the Black families whose homes were destroyed during the urban renewal process.

The public is invited to attend the exhibition free of charge during the Lyndon House Arts Center's regular gallery hours. The center is located at 211 Hoyt Street in Athens, Georgia. For more information, interested individuals can call 706 613 3623 or visit www.accgov.com/exhibits. Children must be accompanied by an adult when visiting the exhibition.

The Linnentown Then and Now exhibition by Caroline Coleman is a poignant reflection on the history of a community that was once vibrant and thriving, but was tragically demolished. Through her art, Coleman brings light to the stories of those who were affected by this injustice, ensuring that their voices are not forgotten.