The Greater Augusta Arts Council wants community input to help shape the future of Augusta’s public art collection by ranking the sculptures currently featured on the Augusta Sculpture Trail. Public voting is open now through Aug. 1, 2026, both in person at the Augusta Richmond County Municipal Building and online at www.augustaarts.info/AST-Vote-2026.
“We want to hear from the community,” said Heather Dunaway, the council’s Gallery & Public Art Director. “Public art belongs to everyone, and community input plays an important role in helping us grow Augusta’s cultural landscape.”
Created in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Augusta Sculpture Trail was designed to encourage residents and visitors to experience Augusta’s public spaces in new ways. Every two years, ten sculptures by artists from across the country are loaned and installed throughout Downtown Augusta and the Riverwalk, with each work available for purchase and permanent installation. Since its inception, the trail has completed three successful iterations, growing to include 18 sculptures, eight of which are now permanent additions to Augusta’s public art collection.
The public vote helps guide the City of Augusta’s Public Art Advisory Panel in determining which sculptures will be recommended for purchase and placement within the city’s collection.
Accessible public art enriches communities by bringing creativity into everyday spaces where everyone can experience it, regardless of age, background, or income. It also serves as an economic driver by attracting visitors, supporting cultural tourism, increasing foot traffic for local businesses, and contributing to the revitalization of public spaces. Funding for sculpture purchases comes from grants, private donors and collectors, and support from the City of Augusta, making each acquisition an investment in the city’s cultural and economic future.
Community members interested in exploring the trail before voting have several tour options available, including a free self-guided tour through Otocast, as well as paid experiences such as the Augusta Sculpture Trail Guided Tour and Promenade & Paint. Those interested in learning more can visit www.augustasculpturetrail.com .
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