The Athens Cultural Affairs Commission (ACAC) announces two upcoming public artworks in Athens-Clarke County (ACC), funded by the ACC SPLOST: “Phyllotaxis”, by local sculptor Joni Younkins-Herzog to be installed on the Whitehall Roundabout and “Heron Sighting” by local mosaic artist Krysia Ara to be installed in Dudley Park.
Younkins-Herzog’s “Phyllotaxis” (top image) will be a 12 foot high steel sculpture with a concrete base inspired by the organic patterns in nature and serve as a focal point in the center of the Whitehall Roundabout. “Phyllotaxis” was chosen by a community selection panel and approved by the ACC Mayor and Commission. Younkins-Herzog has created previous works in Athens-Clarke County such as the art bus shelters installed last year.
Ara’s “Heron Sighting” (bottom image) will be a large scale mosaic on the west wall of a new facilities building in Dudley Park. Inspired by area wildlife, “Heron Sighting” will feature a soaring heron made of ceramic and glass pieces. “Heron Sighting” was one of four proposals submitted earlier this year, chosen by a community selection panel and approved by the ACC Mayor and Commission. Ara is known for her mosaic installations throughout the county, such as downtown’s Project Ginkgo and the Cobbham Triangle Park.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused delays in many of ACAC’s public art installations, but we can expect installation on both new works to begin this year. For more information on these works or the ACAC public art selection process, please email us at info@athensculturalaffairs.org
