The Classic Center Debuts New Art Galleries During May's Third Thursday
May 13, 2025
ATHENS, GA – May 12, 2025—The Classic Center Cultural Foundation invites the community to explore the newly opened Classic Galleries I & II at The Classic Center on Thursday, May 15, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., as part of Athens’ monthly 3rd Thursday arts celebration. This free event will also feature two guided tours of the Georgia Music Collections from the University of Georgia Libraries, held in Akins Ford Arena from 6:30–7:00 p.m. and 7:15–7:45 p.m.
Classic Galleries Highlights:
Classic Gallery I: Murmur Trestle by Jason Thrasher
Jason Thrasher has been working as an artist and professional photographer in Athens for 25 years. His work focuses on the rich and varied music scene of the American Southeast, capturing iconic portraits of artists such as Drive-By Truckers, Guided By Voices, R.E.M., Outkast, Against Me!, Widespread Panic, and the Elephant 6 Collective. Thrasher’s photography has appeared in Rolling Stone, Photo District News, Billboard, New York Magazine, The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Paste, Salon, Pitchfork, Garden & Gun, USA Today, SPIN, and The Bitter Southerner. In 2018, the Georgia Writers Association named him Georgia Author of the Year for his book Athens Potluck. His second book, Murmur Trestle, was published by the University of Georgia Press in September 2024.
You will also find photographs from Jason Thrasher's book, Athens Potluck, featured throughout Akins Ford Arena as part of the Georgia Music Collections.
Classic Gallery II: That Silence Beyond the Window by Marco Battezzati
Marco Battezzati is an Italian-American photographer currently based in Athens, Georgia. Bornin New York, he spent most of his life in Italy, where he earned a degree in Geology from the University of Milan (UNIMI) and an M.A. in Photography from IUAV in Venice. Battezzati’s work explores the interplay between illusion and reality, focusing on the relationship between humans and their environment through the photographic lens.
"These new galleries represent a creative space where the visitors can engage with the stories and talent that make Athens so unique,” said Stephanie VanDyck, Director of The Classic Center Cultural Foundation. “We invite the community to come out, explore the galleries, and be part of this moment as we celebrate the creative energy within Athens, Georgia.”
• Reservations for Third Thursday are not required
• All artwork displayed in Classic Galleries is available for purchase
• Visit ClassicCenter.com/ClassicGalleries for more information
Classic Galleries Highlights:
Classic Gallery I: Murmur Trestle by Jason Thrasher
Jason Thrasher has been working as an artist and professional photographer in Athens for 25 years. His work focuses on the rich and varied music scene of the American Southeast, capturing iconic portraits of artists such as Drive-By Truckers, Guided By Voices, R.E.M., Outkast, Against Me!, Widespread Panic, and the Elephant 6 Collective. Thrasher’s photography has appeared in Rolling Stone, Photo District News, Billboard, New York Magazine, The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Paste, Salon, Pitchfork, Garden & Gun, USA Today, SPIN, and The Bitter Southerner. In 2018, the Georgia Writers Association named him Georgia Author of the Year for his book Athens Potluck. His second book, Murmur Trestle, was published by the University of Georgia Press in September 2024.
You will also find photographs from Jason Thrasher's book, Athens Potluck, featured throughout Akins Ford Arena as part of the Georgia Music Collections.
Classic Gallery II: That Silence Beyond the Window by Marco Battezzati
Marco Battezzati is an Italian-American photographer currently based in Athens, Georgia. Bornin New York, he spent most of his life in Italy, where he earned a degree in Geology from the University of Milan (UNIMI) and an M.A. in Photography from IUAV in Venice. Battezzati’s work explores the interplay between illusion and reality, focusing on the relationship between humans and their environment through the photographic lens.
"These new galleries represent a creative space where the visitors can engage with the stories and talent that make Athens so unique,” said Stephanie VanDyck, Director of The Classic Center Cultural Foundation. “We invite the community to come out, explore the galleries, and be part of this moment as we celebrate the creative energy within Athens, Georgia.”
• Reservations for Third Thursday are not required
• All artwork displayed in Classic Galleries is available for purchase
• Visit ClassicCenter.com/ClassicGalleries for more information
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The mission of The Classic Center Cultural Foundation is to provide resources to entertain and educate
the local community and foster economic growth by providing and supporting diverse performing, visual,
and culinary arts programs, as well as workforce development initiatives while working to maintain The
Classic Center in a state-of-the-art condition.
The mission of The Classic Center Cultural Foundation is to provide resources to entertain and educate
the local community and foster economic growth by providing and supporting diverse performing, visual,
and culinary arts programs, as well as workforce development initiatives while working to maintain The
Classic Center in a state-of-the-art condition.
Contact:
Ivy Ramage
ivy@classiccenter.com, 706-357-4414
