New Commissions

Artists Phil Proctor and Zachary Coffin dedicate new sculpture as the Public Art Program concludes the Community Gateway  Project

The first week of December marked the public art dedications of two of the City of Atlanta’s newest free standing sculptures. On Thursday, Dec 3, at 4:30PM, the public was invited to attend the dedication of Phi Proctor’s “Anchored Sail”, the 22-foot galvanized steel structure located at South Bend Park, 1960 Lakewood Avenue (corner of Lakewood Terrace), Atlanta, GA 30315. Standing 35-feet high, anchoring the front end of Cleopas R. Johnson Park, is Zachary Coffin’s “The Horn Section”. The monumental sculpture of galvanized steel with an 8-ton granite base, located at the corner of Fair Street and Northside Drive 30314 was dedicated Saturday, Dec 5, at 1:00PM. Its suspended trumpets bring to mind the dynamic stance of a horn player and pays tribute to the outstanding and innovative Cleopas Redwood Johnson Jr., the nationally-recognized band director the park is named for.

The artworks are two of six public structures commissioned by The City of Atlanta’s Public Art Program (PAP) and were financed through the Opportunity Bond’s percent for art capital project. nicknamed the “Atlanta Community Gateway Project”, commissioned artists integrated Gateways, Murals and Temporary Art in Adair Park, South Bend Park, South Side Park, Isabel Gates Webster Park and Cleophas R. Johnson Park.

The City of Atlanta’s Public Art Department and Gateway Project Artists, Proctor and Coffin, was present to provide statements at their respective public art dedications.

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Phil Proctor speaking at dedication December 3, 2009

 

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Zachary Coffin speaking at Dedication December 5, 2009

 

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“Anchored Sail” is distinguished by a bottom element that exemplifies a “root”; a wind sail element and a granite stone as a counter balance to the kinetic assemblage.

 

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“The Horn Section” a steel and stone Sculpture standing approximately 35 feet tall.

About The Opportunity Bond Municipal Art Projects

In 2005, Mayor Franklin challenged the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) to invigorate parks and recreation facilities through the 2005 Greenspace and Recreation Opportunity Bond. The department took up the challenge and initiated an aggressive plan to install art in Atlanta’s parks. The Public Art Program team, led by Eddie Granderson, developed temporary art projects in 11 parks, managed the selection process, contracted artists to develop five gateways in neighborhood parks and commissioned a major mural for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic District. The “Community Gateway Project” represents the installation of public artworks in five distinct communities. New public art was installed in Adair I, Cleopas R. Johnson, Isabel Gates Webster, South Bend and Southside Parks. These public art installations serve as gateways to the parks and neighborhoods and are now a part of Atlanta’s landscape.