If you’re noticing more public art and sculptures in Augusta, it’s definitely not by accident.
In fact, Scott Thorp, associate vice president for interdisciplinary research at Augusta University, says each additional piece you see is part of a well-thought out plan to increase the presence of public art through Richmond County.
That includes, Circuit Tree — a sculpture created by Washington, D.C. area artist Kirk Seese and the first outdoor sculpture to adorn the grounds of the Augusta University campus, specifically outside the Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center located at the intersection of 11th and Telfair St.
Seese’s sculpture was unveiled Thursday just outside the Cyber Training Center and was described as a work that blends technology and art together while adding to the beauty of outdoor Augusta.
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“Circuit Tree will demonstrate the power of public art to inspire, connect and transform our community,” Thorp said. “And it’s likely to become a landmark like some of these others have, triggering selfies, sparking conversations and helping to bring a sense of place for our city for years to come.”
Piece selection
The selection of Sease’s piece was a joint effort between the Augusta University Arts Council and the Augusta University Cyber Center in partnership with Georgia Rehabilitation Institute, which funded the sculpture’s placement, and the Greater Augusta Arts Council.
Thorp said Seese’s sculpture was “picked unanimously” among the selection committee.
“In the midst of all the entries, the selection committee found ‘Circuit Tree’ by Kirk Seese to be dynamic and uplifting, and it symbolizes the fusion of technology and creativity, reflecting in the innovative spirit of this campus and also the community at large.”
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Both Thorp and Dennis Skelley, president and CEO of the Georgia Rehabilitation Institute, called the sculpture one piece of a more expansive plan to populate Augusta art with meaningful and dynamic public art.
“Scott and I share a vision for Augusta,” Skelley said during Thursday’s unveiling. “We’d love to see public art not only installed at AU campuses, but throughout Richmond County. And in support of the city’s public art master plan, this is just a piece to complement that master plan.”
Involvement in Augusta art community
Skelley has been a part of the Augusta art community for years, and he says that aforementioned master plan will continue to make the addition of outdoor art in Augusta a staple in the city’s continued growth for years to come.
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“We had the opportunity to talk with the group here at the Cyber Center to have them share in the vision and be supportive of what we were looking to do,” Skelley said. “The selection of this site is very appropriate because it’s adjacent to the Augusta sculpture trail, and part of that vision is to have sculptures and murals all the way down the Augusta Canal trail, down here through the Cyber Center, up to the Rivewalk and eventually, some day — and I may not be around still to see it — down to the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park.”
The placement of outdoor art is essential, according to Thorp, for a city like Augusta’s continuous growth — particularly as it continues to explore ways to make itself more attractive to tourists, non-residents and residents alike.
“Place-making is a big deal for a city that’s growing,” Thorp said. “Place-making is something you want when you’re growing a city. We need to have stories to tell about our city. We need to be able to connect with our surroundings. It keeps people here.”
Denise Tucker, public art and development manager with the Greater Augusta Arts Council, echoed Thorp’s sentiments.
“Being a part of this process has been transformative,” Tucker said. “Art is so transformative, and it has the ability to transform spaces, communities, campuses.”
Project funding
The project was funded by the Georgia Rehabilitation Institute which was the owner and operator of Augusta’s Walton Rehabilitation Hospital until it was sold several years ago. The GRI used proceeds of the hospital’s sale to fund projects that further quality of life for persons with disabilities in the local community.
Adding funding for accessible public art has been one of GRI’s priorities in the last couple of years.
As for Seese, he calls the opportunity to add to Augusta’s outdoor artistic landscape a privilege.
“The goal of every artist is to get their work out there and let it be seen,” Seese said. “And, especially in my case, I’ve really held firm to the notion of art being public and accessible to everyone. You don’t have to walk into the museum. It’s there. You can enjoy it every day. [This unveiling has] given me the opportunity to do that, not only here, but at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park.”
Georgia is one of the latest states to display Seese’s work, which brings him closer to one of his biggest goals as an artist and sculptor.
“It’s a real treasure for me to have a permanent piece in Georgia,” Seese said. “My goal is to have a permanent piece of pubic art in all 50 states. I’m getting closer. I have 36 states now, so I appreciate it.”
