Character: Faces of Athens

Character: Faces of Athens is a heartfelt exploration of a village alive with stories and connection. Through a series of intimate portraits, photographer Lynda Shenkman captures the spirit of the community—its warmth, openness, and the rich diversity of its people. Each image tells a story, reflecting the unique lives that weave together to create a tapestry of belonging. Inspired by personal experiences and everyday encounters, the work celebrates the beauty of human connection and the shared narratives that define a place. The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the profound impact of community and the stories that shape us all.

Photographer Lynda Shenkman and biographer Ellen Roth capture the spirit of the community—its warmth, openness, and the rich diversity of its people in life-size photographs and accompanying narratives of sixteen residents.  From Vince Brennan, who has been cutting hair in his home salon for seventy years, to Josh Bary and Do-Hee Kim, a young couple who left Silicon Valley to become farmers, each image tells a story, reflecting the unique lives that weave together to create a tapestry of belonging.

“I was new to Athens, and the village embraced me like an old friend.  Encounters with people from all walks of life ignited a desire to preserve these moments - not just for myself, but to share something meaningful with others,” said Lynda.  “And thus, Character: Faces of Athens was born.”