Downtown public art is set for another facelift as parts of the Augusta Sculpture Trail will come down to make way for a new trail experience in 2023.
“This has been the plan for two years,” said Brenda Durant, executive director of the Greater Augusta Arts Council. “All sculptures will come down the second week of December.”
In January 2021, the Augusta Sculpture Trail saw the installation of 10 sculptures on Broad Street, the Augusta Common and near Riverwalk. An opening ceremony was held in early February 2021.
During the past two years, people could visit the trail on their own and learn more through the Otocast app. Also, the arts council held a variety of events to draw people downtown and highlight the artwork.
Each of the sculptures was available for purchase. Of the 10, four of them will remain a permanent part of Augusta’s public art landscape.
“Maestro and Forever Young, a favorite of theater goers, by Larry Schueckler, and Unstoppable, the eye-catching acrobat on Broad Street, by Gus and Lina Ocamposilva were purchased by private donors. Popsicles, a favorite with kids, by Craig Berube Gray was purchased through a grant from Destination Augusta. All three private purchases were donated to the City of Augusta so they can remain a permanent part of the Augusta Sculpture Trail. The final purchase, which was made by the city as part of its original allocation to create the trail, is D’jean Jawrunner’s Sun Lion, another favorite with children,” according to a news release.
Unstoppable and Maestro and Forever Young are currently located on Broad Street and will eventually return there. They will be temporarily relocated with the second iteration of the Augusta Sculpture Trail because of the infrastructure work taking place on Broad Street as part of the Transportation Investment Act, Durant said.
Sun Lion and Popsicles are at the Augusta Common.
Installation of the new trail will be Jan. 9-13, 2023. It trail will connect the Augusta Common and the 8th Street Plaza, run along the Riverwalk on both the upper and lower levels and end at the new 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge, according to a news release.
Larry Millard, whose sculpture Stepped Tower won the People’s Choice Award, received a $1,500 prize for the artist.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the publisher of Augusta Good News. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the Augusta Good News newsletter here.
