Completed in January 2025, "A Blossoming Ode to Georgia’s Musical History” was painted by Florida-based muralist Steven Teller in the lobby of Akins Ford Arena in downtown Athens. The mural depicts several of the state’s most influential artists, and it accompanies the University of Georgia's Libraries' Georgia Music Collections exhibit, also on display at the Arena.
Teller’s design was chosen in a blind selection by a community panel. The artist was one of 122 applicants who applied during the nationwide call for a Georgia music history-themed mural in early 2023. The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission approved the design, along with two other artworks for the arena, in September 2023.
Architecture of Imagination
“Architecture of Imagination” by artist Kate Lewis is a largescale mural inspired by architecture and geometry. It is located on the outside of a parking deck next to Akins Ford Arena at the Classic Center.
Lewis’ design was chosen in a blind selection by a community panel. The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission approved the design, along with two other artworks for the arena, in September 2023. Installation was completed in October 2024.
Art Bus Shelters
One-of-a-kind artistic bus shelters are installed throughout Athens-Clarke County as part of multiple SPLOST programs dedicated to Transit vehicles and bus stops. There are two types of the art shelters: those completely fabricated by artists and standard-type shelters with artist-designed laser cut panels in place of the standard panels.
Athens Music Walk of Fame
The Athens Music Walk of Fame is a two-square-block area in downtown Athens celebrating our creative and diverse music scene. The walk passes several renowned music venues in western downtown, including the Morton Theatre, the 40 Watt Club, and the Georgia Theatre.
Eric Leshinsky’s “Frequency" is a three-dimensional, 14-piece public artwork that runs along the Clayton Street corridor in downtown Athens. It was installed in December 2022 as part of a larger TSPLOST project dedicated to East Clayton Street infrastructure improvements.
Georgia Flora
“Georgia Flora” by local Athens artist Amanda Burk is a 100 feet long mural on the Oconee Rivers Greenway and features images of flowers often associated with Georgia. Burk’s design was chosen in a blind selection by a community panel. The winning work was one of 25 proposals submitted during the nationwide call for proposals. The ACC Mayor and Commission approved the design in November 2022 and the mural was funded by SPLOST.
Georgia Railroad Lantern
“Georgia Railroad Lantern” was installed in January 2025 by artists Jim Benedict and Lily Kuonen. The sculpture is located on the Firefly Trail adjacent to the Old Winterville Road trailhead. The design is inspired by railroad rails and structural steel that connects to the history and story of this scenic Georgia rail trail system.
Gyroscope House
"Gyroscope House," located at Southeast Clarke Park (325 Whit Davis Road), is a whimsical gazebo-style structure that was designed and built by local artist Lawrence Stueck. The structure incorporates painted panels, interior seating, a weather vane (top), and an etched map of Athens (floor).
The project was installed in 2017 as part of the SPLOST-funded World of Wonder Playground improvements at Southeast Clarke Park.
Hero's Path
"Hero's Path" is a public art installation that is located at Fire Station No. 2, located at 265 Cleveland Road. This structure was designed and built by Aaron Hussey and honors the firefighters who have lost their lives in service to the Athens-Clarke County community and the firefighters who continue to serve today.
Heron Sighting
"Heron Sighting" was funded out of SPLOST 2011 Project 17: Dudley Park Improvements. The mosaic public art piece was designed and fabricated by artist Krysia Ara in June 2021 and was installed on the outside of the new restroom facilities at Dudley Park in September 2021.
Hot Corner Mural
A mural paying tribute to the legacy of Hot Corner was installed during summer 2019 on the side of the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government-owned Costa Building near the intersection of West Washington and North Lumpkin streets.
The nearby Hot Corner was the center for commerce and culture for black Athenians for many years. The mural depicts several local figures, as well as figures who are representative of the history surrounding the area.
Miami artist Elio Mercado led the large-scale project with the assistance of Athens artist Broderick Flanigan. The Athens Cultural Affairs Commission coordinated the project.
Origins
"Origins" is a public art installation located at the Athens-Clarke County Cooperative Extension Office, located at 275 Cleveland Road. This 20 foot tall artwork was created by David Hale, David Harrison, and Peter McCarron, and was dedicated on January 8, 2022.
Phyllotaxis
Local sculptor Joni Younkins-Herzog designed the public art piece "Phyllotaxis" as part of TSPLOST 2018 Project 10. The sculpture was installed in the center of the Whitehall Road / S. Milledge Avenue roundabout in September 2021. The 12-foot sculpture was inspired by the tendency of plants to naturally arrange their leaves in fibonacci-like spirals to best capture sunlight. A dedication ceremony was held on-site on October 15, 2021.
Rainbow Forest
"Rainbow Forest," a public art installation visible from Martin Luther King Parkway on a small hill on the North Oconee River Greenway, was officially unveiled in August 2021. "Rainbow Forest" is located at is 875 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Athens, GA 30601.
This art installation was funded by TSPLOST 2018 and created by artist Andrew Kovacs. He is a Los Angeles-based designer and educator, who worked with two local artist assistants, Eli Saragoussi and Patrick Sprague.
“Rainbow Forest” consists of a grid of 36 slender, brightly colored columns that are visible from the trail and road. The intention behind the work was to spark a new imagination for the possibility of what art and architecture can be, while trying to generate a culture of art and architecture that is accessible to a broader public audience.
Red Bass
Artist Christopher Weed installed “Red Bass" in the plaza outside of Akins Ford Arena in February 2025. The abstract bass sculpture celebrates Athens' rich music scene, its performing arts, and the cultural diversity speaking to its colorful past, present, and bright future. The artwork pays homage to Athens' vast musical talent, from REM, the B-52s, and the Indigo Girls, to the iconic jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, and Duke Ellington, who frequently traveled to Athens to play in the downtown Hot Corner in the early 1900s. Two largescale chairs accompany the bass to add a playful, interactive element to the artwork.
Trail Blossom
Installed in Dudley Park by artist Richard Herzog in 2018, "Trail Blossom" is a sculpture consisting of 5 – 21′ tall flower forms and incorporates three benches. The elements of the flowers and benches are inspired by skateboards and bike parts.
The project was part of a SPLOST-funded project for the Firefly Trail, which passes right by the sculpture and through the park.
Water is Life
Elaine Stephenson's "Water is Life" mural on the North Oconee River Greenway, featuring images of water and wildlife, was completed in October 2024. It is located on the underside of the North Oconee Access Road overpass off of College Station Road.
Born in Atlanta, Stephenson studied graphic design at the University of Georgia, which ignited her love for typography and bold design. After a 10 year design career, she now combines both her strategic design skills and an artistic voice to create art that enhances spaces.