Spectacular Public Art in Atlanta and Beyond
“Oak Leaf Triptych”
Take a drive and spend time with your family looking for these intriguing and beautiful sculptures and artworks in areas around metro Atlanta.
Playable Art Around Roswell
Stop by the Roswell Area Park playground where kids can play and enjoy nature and art with the “Oak Leaf Triptych.” The colorful oculus of “Steady” at the corner of Canton and Norcross is balanced between two straight lines like a giant tripod. In Old Mill Park, see “The Uniting of Work and Spirit” to see an Olympic-style runner with a torch at the top of a pyramid. Visit other sculptures throughout the city with ArtAround Roswell, and the app Otocast has a guided tour to listen to stories from the artists.
“Moon Man Moves”
The Circle of Life in Sandy Springs
The ArtSS in the Open sculpture exhibition at City Green features nine pieces, including the whimsical, larger-than-life “Moon Man News.” The simple yet elegant geometric shapes of “Nucleus” represent curves found in life and nature, while “Square Dance” seems to defy gravity.
“Rainbow Arch”
Using Your Senses in Alpharetta
Medley is a collection of five temporary outdoor sculptures designed to engage viewers through sight, sound and touch. The striking “Ribbon Arch” can’t be missed as it provides a unique entry into Wills Park. Kids will marvel at the fluid nature of “Liquid Sunshine” in Brooke Street Park. Other sensory-stimulating works in the open-air gallery on view through fall 2024, include “Tree,” “Allura,” and “Hill Climb.”
“Milty’s Realm”
Hungry for Knowledge in Milton
In front of Milton Library, spot “Milty’s Realm” and “Door of Knowledge.” Milty is a four-and-a-half foot tall bronze statue of a pony being a fed an apple by a young boy as a happy young girl sits on the pony’s back. The companion work honors Milton’s history and the importance of books and knowledge.
Paul Anderson Memorial Park
Strong Arm in Toccoa
In 1955, amateur weightlifter Paul Anderson set a world record of 436 points in the clean and jerk. He later gained international acclaim by becoming the first man in history to press more than 400 pounds in Moscow. Created in his memory, the Paul Anderson Memorial Park features a fountain and a life-sized statue of the 1956 Olympics Gold Medalist and World Record holder.
“Greetings from Athens”
Who Let the Dawgs Out? in Athens
Find all 38 of the decorative, four-feet-tall bulldog statues around Athens with the “We Let the Dawgs Out” sculptures. Each dawg is painted differently to represent the town’s creative energy, artistic flair and commitment to the University of Georgia.
Photo by Rob Felt / Georgia Institute of Technology
Sit with Rosa Parks at Georgia Tech
Designed by Atlanta artist Martin Dawe, “Continuing the Conversation” represents Rosa Parks in two different stages of the civil rights icon’s life: when she was 42 and inspired the bus boycott and when she died at 92.
“Coral Stardust”
Bright Art to Inspire in Decatur
Current sculptures include the bright welded steel “Coral Stardust,” the colorful “Keyhole Flutter Gateway” and the red pillars of “The Being Before Becoming,” depicting the transition of history, art, architecture, nature and human beings. The outdoor Decatur Artway Sculpture Gallery displays new phases of artwork each year; download free Otocast app to get narration about the works from the artists.
“Love, Suwanee”
Artfully Done in Suwanee
Pose with the huge “Love, Suwanee” for a sweet photo to send to your family. See if you can spot the “Kinetic Flower Sculpture,” which moves with the wind and is made from recycled materials. The bright red “Metaphysica” is made of fabricated steel and weighs 4,000 pounds. The Suwanee SculpTour features a variety of sculptures on a rotating basis.
“Ocmulgee Bear”
Beary Good Time in Macon
Find the five decorative bears: “Mississippian Bear” was created using gems, stones, glass, mirrors and more to create a mosaic; “Ocmulgee Bear” features a vibrant night sky; “Stamp Bear” is covered in painted stamps; “Symphony Bear” celebrates The Macon Symphony Orchestra and The Grand Opera House; and “Tattnall Park Bear” was inspired by the skyline of Mercer University.
