07 Jul New Sculpture Coming Soon to Pendleton King Park: “Morning Interlude”
July 7, 2026
Soon to be nestled among the gardens at Pendleton King Park, “Morning Interlude” invites visitors to pause, observe, and appreciate the beauty of Augusta’s natural landscape. Created by Florida sculptor Aisling Millar McDonald, the steel sculpture will become the newest addition to the park’s growing public art collection and celebrates the unique relationship between art, nature, and conservation.
Commissioned by the Greater Augusta Arts Council through the Garden City Forever Flowers initiative, Morning Interlude was funded by a generous grant from the Georgia Rehabilitation Institute in partnership with the Pendleton King Park Foundation & Board. The installation joins the three “Hydrangeas” sculptures by Collen Beyer-Stewart and Wesley L. Stewart of September Art Studios, creating a welcoming gateway to the park and marking the beginning of a vision for a future sculpture trail.
Inspired by Pendleton King Park’s renowned gardens and its designation as one of Augusta’s premier bird sanctuaries, Morning Interlude will feature blooming native flowers alongside a native bird perched gracefully among the blossoms. The sculpture reflects the quiet moments of discovery that visitors experience while walking the park’s trails. Where birdsong, flowering plants, and carefully cultivated gardens create a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city. Crafted from steel and finished to withstand the elements, the work is designed to become a lasting part of the landscape while changing with the light and seasons.
For McDonald, creating public art is an opportunity to connect communities with the places they call home. Born in Dublin, Ireland, she immigrated to Florida in 1994 and earned degrees in Art Education and Fine Arts from the University of North Florida before receiving her Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from East Carolina University. Today, she serves as an Adjunct Professor of Art at the University of North Florida while maintaining an active public art practice.
McDonald’s large-scale sculptures can be found throughout the Southeast, with commissions for the City of Fernandina Beach (Amelia Island), the City of Atlantic Beach, the JAX Chamber, and public collections in North Carolina and Georgia. Augusta audiences may recognize her work from the 2023–2024 Augusta Sculpture Trail, where one of her sculptures was exhibited as part of the city’s rotating outdoor sculpture exhibition.
The installation of Morning Interlude also represents an important milestone for Pendleton King Park. Following the extensive recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene, the sculpture is among the first new public art additions to the park, symbolizing renewal, resilience, and continued investment in Augusta’s public spaces. Together with Hydrangeas, the installation transforms the park entrance into a welcoming destination that celebrates both the region’s artistic talent and its rich natural heritage.
Visitors can experience Morning Interlude, coming July 25, 2026, at the entrance to Pendleton King Park, located at 1600 Troupe Street, Augusta, Georgia. As part of Augusta’s expanding public art collection, the sculpture encourages residents and visitors alike to slow down, explore, and discover the beauty that emerges when art and nature come together.
Join the Arts Council in celebrating this new work at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Pendleton King Park!
Check out the artist’s progress below!
