Footwork: Celebrating Soccer, Culture, and Community (exhibition)

To celebrate Atlanta as a host city for the World Cup this summer, Emory Libraries’ newest exhibition explores the intersection of soccer, culture, and identity. Drawing on Emory’s collections, academic expertise, and global partnerships—from sneaker culture influencers to community collaborators—it tells Atlanta’s connected stories of soccer, civil rights, and globalism from 1968 to today. Along the way, it shows how our region, our teams, and even our sneakers help express who we are.

The exhibition features Rose Library materials that highlight soccer’s cultural and historical impact across Atlanta communities, including memorabilia, photos, and artifacts from the Atlanta Chiefs, the National Professional Soccer League, and the creation of the North American Soccer League. Apparel from the adidas archives traces the shared evolution of the World Cup, athletic performance, and streetwear.

Curated by Randy Gue (Rose Library) and Melissa Carnegie, founder of Kicks & Fros, the exhibition is presented by Emory Libraries, the Michael C. Carlos Museum, and the Emory Center for Digital Scholarship. ⚽👟