Andrew Young's visit to Thomasville sparks learning opportunities

THOMASVILLE, Ga. - Thomasville Center for the Arts, in partnership with the Jack Hadley Black History Museum, is hosting the traveling exhibition “The Many Lives of Andrew Young” through Nov. 1. The exhibition chronicles the life of the Honorable Andrew Young – civil rights leader, former Atlanta mayor, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and Georgia’s former 5th District Representative.

Ambassador Young was in attendance at the exhibition’s opening reception on Aug. 8, which drew a crowd of over 350 visitors. Young spoke with heart and clarity about his life and work, early adulthood, moving from Washington D.C. to the South, his experience of being a newlywed and young pastor in Thomasville, and his work as a civil rights leader and United Nations Ambassador.

He also participated in a book signing and graciously made time to speak with every last guest in line to meet him. Several exhibition visitors were members of Young’s congregations at Bethany Congregational Church in Thomasville and Evergreen Congregational Church in Beachton in the 1950s.

“I hope my grandkids will understand how monumental this felt,” says Brittany Shiver, director of programs and engagement at the Center for the Arts. “What I experienced was immense generosity in thought, heart, and spirit. He has a sharp wit and unflagging energy for the future.”

Young’s visit also included an evening gathering at First Missionary Baptist Church where he spoke to the crowd about his experiences as a young pastor in Thomasville nearly 70 years ago. Young also took the opportunity to meet with local students from Bishop Hall School at Thomasville Center for the Arts. He spoke to the group on the importance of education and leadership, took questions, and walked the group through the exhibition, which covers nine decades of his inspiring life.

“The Many Lives of Andrew Young” will remain on view at the Center for the Arts through Nov 1. Center galleries are open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and 2nd Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Gallery admission is free. Visit thomasvillearts.org.

OTHER EVENTS

Further opportunities for the public to engage with Ambassador Young’s story include:

A Seat at the Table: Celebrating the Art of Gathering Saturday, Aug. 24 | 6-9 pmThomasville Center for the ArtsTickets at thomasvillearts.org or 229-225-6461

Untold Stories: Rev. Andrew Young & the Civil Rights Movement Saturday, Sept. | 2 pmThomasville History CenterTickets at thomasvillehistory.org or 229-226-7664

Fine Art Photography of Mickey Adair Through November 1Thomasville Center for the Arts | Orchestra GalleryFree and open to the public during gallery hours

Jack Hadley Black History Museum 214 Alexander Street, Thomasville jackhadleyblackhistorymuseum.com or 229-226-5029

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Andrew Young's visit to Thomasville sparks learning opportunities