January 21, 2021, Atlanta, GA – The Georgia Historical Society is pleased to announce the creation of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Art from the Heart Collection (2020-120), a series of 224 original works of art created by Atlanta school children as an expression of thanks to front-line workers during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When we first came up with the idea of Art from the Heart, we never expected that we’d receive so many submissions, or that the children’s artwork would touch so many in our community,” said Mark A. Waligore, Managing Editor and Senior Director of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We are honored to donate these drawings to the Georgia Historical Society. It ensures that these heartfelt messages live on well beyond the pandemic. It’s equally important to know that they will serve as a permanent reminder to future generations of what we endured – and how those heroes on the front lines helped us get through it.”

The AJC collection will be part of the Georgia Historical Society COVID-19 Collection to ensure that future generations remember and understand the trials of Georgians throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. By collecting the photos, journals, artwork, and other materials of everyday Georgians GHS will preserve the stories of how our lives were disrupted and transformed by both the virus and the economic fallout.

“We are honored to have been selected by the AJC as the repository for this unique collection,” said Dr. W. Todd Groce, President and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society. “The ability to see the pandemic through the eyes of Georgia’s children is a unique perspective that will be of great interest to future generations as they examine how Georgians lived through this time in our history.”

The AJC Art from the Heart Collection will be available for viewing in the coming weeks through the GHS website at georgiahistory.com. In the interim individual works will be released on an ongoing basis on all GHS social media platforms and in GHS publications.

GHS continues to welcome submissions from the public of a wide variety of materials related to Georgia during this pandemic. Those wishing to contribute materials can do so through the online portal at georgiahistory.com. For larger collections or undigitized submissions please contact GHS by phone at 912.651.2125.

“Someday the great-grandchildren of the creators of these works of art will be able to see something created by their ancestors during a difficult time in world history,” added Groce. “It’s one thing to learn about history in a classroom, but the ability to establish a link to your family makes those moments in our shared history more powerful and relevant than any textbook can accomplish.”

For more information on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Art from the Heart Collection or the GHS COVID-19 Collection contact Patricia Meagher, GHS Director of Communications at pmeagher@georgiahistory.com 912.651.2125, ext. 153.

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ABOUT GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is the premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting, examining, and teaching Georgia history. GHS houses the oldest and most distinguished collection of materials related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation.
To learn more visit georgiahistory.com.