University of Georgia

Complex Cloth Logo

Complex Cloth is an evolving historical research and pedagogical project that explores the entwined histories of the University of Georgia, social work, and labor in Athens, Georgia.

Complex Cloth group in 2026

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The award-winning Complex Cloth Installation makes these stories visible throughout the antebellum cotton mill building that the School of Social Work now occupies in Athens. 

School of Social Work Building in Athens

With funding from the Carl and Sally Gable foundation, the project engages students in telling these stories, giving building tours and thinking creatively about history and its place in social work education. Click on the Complex Cloth Fellow’s headshots below to hear them interpreting these stories.

 

Complex cloth story telling Complex cloth story telling Complex cloth story telling

Community members are encouraged to tour the exhibit. Self-guided tours can be downloaded here and are available at the School’s front desk (Please be sure to sign in when you arrive.) Paid parking is available in UGA’s North Deck.

Classroom and group tours can be arranged by contacting Dr. Jane McPherson at [email protected]

Complexcloth Tour: Martha Bass Holsey

Team

Jane McPhersonDaniel Gibbs
Dr. Jane McPherson, DirectorDr. Daniel Gibbs, Social welfare researcher & traditional musician

Jane and Annabel
Annabel Bunton, MSW/MPH 2024, Complex Cloth website designer

Annabel Bunton was the first student to work on Complex Cloth and she continues to consult on the project. During her time at UGA (2022-24), she collaborated with Dr. McPherson to build and launch the website.

Many UGA Social Work contribute to this project with their expertise and moral support, and a few play very specific roles.

stephen turner Kat Farlowe headshot Yue Li Labett Dynell Morgan
Stephen Turner, audio and videoKat Farlowe, graphic designYue Li, website supportLaBett Morgan, front desk visit coordinator

Complex Cloth Fellows

The Complex Cloth Fellows are collaborators and storytellers in the Complex Installation. The Fellows program, with support from the Gable Foundation, supports social work students at all levels: BSW, MSW, and PhD. Click on their headshots to hear their stories.

Blaire MoraskiKate Bowen MorseElizabeth Mukasa
Blaire Moraski, MSW studentKate Bowen Morse, PhD studentElizabeth Mukasa, Doctoral student
Mary-Hannah OtejuKylie Tinsley
Mary-Hannah Oteju, MSW/MPH studentKylie Tinsley, BSW 2026, MSW student

Complex Cloth Alumni Fellows:

Ana CorreaAnna Grace CummingsBennett EkmarkSarah Hawkinson
Ana Correa, BSW 2025, MSW 2026Anna Grace Cummings, MSW 2026Bennett Ekmark, BSW 2025, MSW 2026Sarah Hawkinson, BSW 2025, MSW 2026
Eunmi Hwang Kayla Pettenon Julia Shalhoub Aaliyah Williams
Eunmi Hwang, MSW 2026Kayla Pettenon, MSW 2026Julia Shalhoub, BSW 2025, MSW 2026Aaliyah Williams, MSW 2026

Community Partners

Patsy Arnold Lawson Moore
Patsy Arnold Lawson Moore

Research and Teaching

Coming Soon …

Complex Cloth Installation

The installation extends over all 4 floors of the School of Social Work and tells four main stories:

  1. The Athens Factory and the North Oconee River;
  2. Labor at the factory;
  3. Social outreach to mill workers (including a Night School and settlement houses); and
  4. Social outreach and advocacy in Athens’ Black community during Jim Crow.

The exhibit also extends outside the School to the deck, from which the ruins of the Athen Factory’s old dam and millrace are still visible.

The installation comprises more than 40 enlarged photos, art pieces, and historical artifacts. Each object is accompanied by an explanatory label, and 17 feature audio narration from Complex Cloth fellows, community members, and Dr. Jane McPherson. Additionally, there are 7 musical pieces and 2 short films. All of the exhibit’s narration and video is accessible by QR code within the installation and is also available below.

Visitors to the installation are encouraged! The School of Social Work is open during business hours and follows the UGA calendar. Paid parking is available at UGA’s North Deck and free parking may be arranged for groups or events. (Contact Jane McPherson for more information.)

To tour the installation, you can join a scheduled guided tour–watch this site for upcoming events–or you can take the self-guided tour by signing in at the School of Social Work’s front desk. If you bring children with you, they might enjoy the COMPLEX CLOTH SCAVENGER HUNT.

Full Complex Cloth Playlist Film: The Athens Factory Film: Mill Life & Social Work Complex Cloth Music



Complexcloth Tour 2026 at UGA SSW

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