The Greater Augusta Arts Council is thrilled to announce the installation of not one, but two new sculptures this weekend, December 16-17, 2023. Both pieces of public art were funded through generous grants by the Georgia Rehabilitation Institute, Inc. and overseen by the Arts Council, as the public art agency for Augusta. 

Ashley Gray will be installing her 15-foot-tall ceramic sculpture, “Pillars of the Golden Blocks” in the center of the Twiggs Circle roundabout over 3-4 days beginning Saturday, December 16, 2023. “Pillars of the Golden Blocks” is a stunning tribute to the history of Augusta’s Black Medical Community. This is the newest addition to the ongoing Golden Blocks’ public history through public art place-keeping project. The Golden Blocks project highlights the rich cultural legacy of the historically Black neighborhoods of Laney Walker and Bethlehem, in public spaces; inviting lifelong residents, newcomers, and visitors to enjoy the revitalization of the area while celebrating its past. The City’s Housing and Community Development Department matched Georgia Rehabilitation Institute grant funds to provide the concrete pad and brick base for the new sculpture. 

Ashley Gray is a sculptor and ceramic artist who specializes in public art. Her “Map of the Golden Blocks” can be seen on the side of the Wallace Branch Library. The work includes corresponding tiles celebrating historic locations at actual golden blocks, created by Sara Cooks along Laney Walker Blvd. Ashley also created the beloved “Basking Sliders” turtle sculpture at the Augusta Canal’s Lake Olmstead Trailhead.

Also on Saturday, December 16, 2023, Colleen Beyer Stewart and Wesley L. Stewart (a dynamic local art duo) will be installing their painted metal sculpture “Iris” at the north corner of the Iris Garden Club Pocket Park, located at the corner of 5^th Street and Reynolds Street. “Iris” is an elegant tribute to the Iris Garden Club, which has been the driving force behind the charming mini park that greets pedestrians as they approach the 5^th Street Freedom Pedestrian Bridge, 5^th Street Marina, and Riverwalk. The Club built the pocket park 75 years ago, in 1948, to create a suitable home for the Blue Star Memorial Marker they placed there. “Iris” will join Jason Lutz’s 4-panel Art the Box public art mural in the park. In 2022, the City of Augusta repointed the brickwork wall around the park, added an ADA accessible ramp, and bench. The Iris Garden Club placed a Gold Star Memorial Marker in the park as well. To celebrate the devotion of the Iris Garden Club to the lovely little park, Georgia Rehabilitation Institute, Inc. funded the creation and installation of the Stewart’s sculpture, “Iris”.

The public is welcome to watch the artists install their new sculptures at both locations, but are asked to use caution and not interfere with the installations while heavy items are lifted and secured into place.

For more information about Public Art in the Augusta Region visit AUGUSTAARTS.COM.