Augusta's Public Art Tours and Experiences
Hop in your car, or put on your walking shoes and take a guided tour of some of Augusta’s wonderful public art. Click on each link below to access the online web-tour map or Otocast mobile app to tour our public art projects in Augusta.
Augusta Sculpture Trail Otocast App link
Promenade & Paint | Augusta’s Public Art
The Greater Augusta Arts Council, in partnership with Destination Augusta as part of the Authentic Augusta project, has developed an experience like no other!
Promenade & Paint | Augusta’s Public Art is part-tour-part-art-class. Take a walk through Downtown Augusta with guide Michael Wolff to learn about Augusta’s Public Art through select sculptures, murals and more. Then, a refreshing, indoor mural making experience with local Artist Baruti Tucker at The Treehouse where you will make your mark on a portion of a mural to be installed in the heart of our historic Downtown!
Learn more about what the Arts in Augusta has to offer and take an active role in beautifying Augusta, GA! Tickets on sale HERE.
Want to book a party of 8 or more? Get your 10% discount by calling our office at 706-826-4702! (M-F. 9am-5pm)
The Augusta Sculpture Trail
The Trail features 10 beautiful sculptures by nationally renowned artists on display in downtown Augusta.
This Sculpture Trail is placed at intervals that make for a fun and easy outdoor walking trail. Selected locations use City of Augusta sidewalks, making them fully accessible for everyone to enjoy. Sculptures can be found in the Augusta Common, the upper and lower paths of the Savannah River Walk, and on the 5th St Pedestrian Bridge.
The digital walking tour produced by Otocast can be accessed from any mobile device and will help visitors learn specifics about each work of art while they explore the Augusta Sculpture Trail. It will include a variety of fun mobile activities for all ages, that will be added over the two year installation time.
It All Flows Into the Savannah – Storm Drain Murals
In 2021 this project kicked off with support from a combination of the City of Augusta Engineering Storm Water Services Program funds, Georgia Council for the Arts project grant funds, and sponsorship from Sherwin-Williams Paint.
Later, the Arts Council added additional partners in Richmond County Board of Education and Phinizy Center for Water Sciences and Nature Park to introduce a STEAM mural program to Richmond County K-12 Students. Where, beginning in 2022, 5-7 schools were selected annually to work with a local area artist to create their own Storm Drain Mural inspired by a workshop conducted by Phinizy’s education program.
What started in 2021 with 12 locations has now blossomed to more than 45 murals across Richmond County. As part of the City’s education and outreach efforts to raise awareness about storm water pollution, this project has helped to educate the community about where our storm water goes, and what impacts pollution can have on an ecosystem.
When it rains, storm water runs over pavement, sidewalks, and yards picking up oil, litter, yard waste, chemicals, and other pollutants. The polluted storm water then flows down storm drains and through storm water pipes which empty directly into our local creeks, streams, and rivers without treatment. Storm drains can also become a hot spot for illicit dumping – trash, grease, pet waste, paint, cigarettes, and more. These pollutants make their way to the Savannah River, damaging the health of our waterways and adversely impacting adjacent flora and fauna.
Beginning in 2025, the Arts Council made decision to switch to BioStripe traffic paint, which is an eco-friendly, sustainable, durable paint used in many street mural projects across the US.
Art the Box!
Looking for local arts activities to enjoy while being socially distanced? Take a tour of the Art the Box project using the Art the Box Virtual Tour or by printing out a PDF map. The virtual tour is perfect for use on cellphones! Please note, if you decide to print out the map, be sure to scale it down to letter size or print in sections. During the tour you will see the various designs that local artists have created on traffic boxes throughout the Augusta area. Maybe there is one located close to where you live?
For those who want an extra resource featuring the Art the Box project, you can use our coloring page to color your own version of the “Unzipping Nature” art box! The coloring page is a fun social-distancing activity that is appropriate for all ages. Print off your free copy of the coloring page, grab your crayons or colored pencils and create your masterpiece. When you’re finished post your coloring page to the Greater Augusta Arts Council’s Facebook page and see what others have posted as well!
Augusta’s Golden Blocks
Golden Blocks Project is a project spearheaded by the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and the Greater Augusta Arts Council. Named the Golden Blocks Project, in reference to the historic nickname of the corridor of business and industry located on or near Campbell and Gwinnett Streets, this endeavor will create new public art that references the historical and cultural significance of these areas. Today, Campbell and Gwinnett Streets are James Brown and Laney-Walker Boulevards.
You can find more than 6 public art installations that are involved in this project. All created by local area artists.
Augusta’s Public Wall Murals
There’s seemingly no end to swirls, splashes and colorful stories on the walls of Augusta. Many local area artists have painted a vivid picture of the city for visitors and community members, adding to Augusta’s cultural landscape.
Murals are all over downtown Augusta, throughout so many neighborhoods and adorning so many beloved local businesses and venues.
There’s a complete day’s worth of adventuring in this virtual tour if you plan to visit most or all of the murals listed here. It’s especially exciting if you throw in a meal at a local restaurant, an art shopping adventure at one of the many bespoke galleries or take your time and relax in a rocking chair out front at a local bar.
Creating Public Art in Augusta
In early 2012, the Greater Augusta Arts Council was named as the Public Arts Agency for the City of Augusta. Public Art enhances the everyday experience of citizens and improves the quality of life in our community. Part of our commitment to public art in Augusta is making sure to promote the current public art projects.
If you’re an artist creating public art, please read our informational “Creating Public Art” guide.
Or check out the Arts Councils extensive resource page at www.augustaarts.com/resources.
The Greater Augusta Arts Council successfully oversaw the completion of 23 boxes in June 2015 as part of this project, and continues to support the creation of new boxes. Click on this ART THE BOX link for the Guidelines.
Want to get involved? You may be eligible to join our public art panel that advises on all future public art projects.
