A key part of our mission here at the Georgia Museum of Art is to provide art for everyone in the wider Athens community, whether they be students, local professionals or families. This goal is only achievable through the generous contributions of the community, especially from people like long-time Museum Mix volunteer and Athens local Jim Davis.
Museum Mix is the museum’s thrice-annual, late-night art party featuring a fun deejay, food, beverages and all the galleries open until 11 p.m. For Davis, who consistently volunteers as a bartender at the event, these are his favorite nights at the museum because of the unique crowd that comes. He shares that Museum Mix draws “a nice mix of university people and people from the local community and there’s just a great energy to it.” Davis has been resident bartender at Museum Mix for around five years and has become a staple at the event.
Davis is an Ohio native who moved to Athens after completion of his undergraduate studies to attend the University of Georgia Law School and has lived here ever since. He completely fell in love with the Athens community during his time in law school and, after being fortunate enough to find a job in the area, decided to stick around through his recent retirement and beyond.
Davis and his wife are huge fans of the museum and, as members, visit regularly to stay up to date on all the new exhibitions. Davis first heard about Museum Mix from his long-time friend the museum’s deputy director, Annelies Mondi, and has been volunteering ever since. He always enjoys the different types of music featured, from the most recent House-EDM blend to previous jazz features. He loves to see the crowd dancing and having a great time.
Davis shares that his favorite part of the museum itself is “the eclectic mix of people from college students to older, retired people” it serves. Davis really enjoys the opportunity to contribute to Museum Mix and the wider museum community. Despite his recent retirement, he plans to continue his bartending gig here at the museum during the next Museum Mix in April.
By Andrea Giordano
