Thursday, October 17, 2024, the City of Statesboro celebrated the grand opening of the long awaited Statesboro Art Park with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by city officials, community members, and several public works employees. Located at the corner of East Main Street and Railroad Street, the park has transformed an eyesore that was a once-vacant lot into a vibrant public space adorned with stunning sculptures and interactive installations.
The park, born from the vision of former District 1 City Councilmember Phil Boyum, who lived next door to the park, has already become a local favorite, offering a unique outdoor gallery in the heart of downtown.
Built on land owned by the railroad the City had to navigate a lot of limitations of what they could build on the land beside an active railroad. Much of the work was done by City employees which significantly helped in the cost of the project.
City Manager Charles Penny kicked off the ceremony, welcoming the crowd and expressing gratitude for the beautiful fall weather. “We ordered this weather special for you, Phil,” he joked, referencing the delay caused by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago. Penny shared that the park had already seen foot traffic even before the official ribbon cutting, with locals using the space for photos and gatherings.
Mayor Pro-Temp Shari Barr followed Penny’s remarks, praising the collaboration between the city, Public Works, and the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority (DSDA) for turning the project into a reality. "This is a beautiful day in Statesboro," Barr said. "I’m thrilled to be here and to see the dream of the art park finally come to life. I am even more thrilled to know that all of the rocks in this park come from recycled plastic from Bulloch County by Green Rock Statesboro."
Former Councilmember Phil Boyum, whose vision and persistence made the park possible, shared a story highlighting the challenges of building something new. “It’s always harder to build than it is to tear down,” Boyum noted, recounting the park's evolution from a trash-filled lot to its current form as an interactive outdoor museum. He thanked the Public Works team for their innovative efforts, particularly in working around the restrictions of the railroad.
Boyum also acknowledged the contributions of the Leadership Bulloch Class of 2022, whose members designed and created the park’s unique analemmatic sundial. “Each of those numbers was handmade by a member of our class,” Boyum shared. “It’s special to know that as long as the art park is here, the Leadership Bulloch class will live on in this community.”
The art installations, curated by the city’s Art Advisory Committee, were also a point of pride during the ceremony. Penny described the four sculptures currently on display, including “Lemongrass” by Gregory Johnson, “Underfire” by Adam C. Walls, "Slider" by Duke Oursler, and "Meditation Bench" by Glenn Zweygardt, noting how each piece was carefully selected to engage the public and spark conversation. “Art can sometimes be controversial,” Penny said. “But it’s that dialogue that makes it valuable.”
As the ceremony came to a close, the large crowd gathered for the ribbon cutting, with Boyum wielding the ceremonial scissors. On the count of three, the ribbon was cut, officially opening the park to the public. Attendees were then invited to a reception at the Georgia Southern University Business Innovation Group across the street, where Boyum was recognized for his 12 years of service on the City Council.
The park’s vibrant design, including a large flower visible from space (as Boyum enthusiastically pointed out), is a testament to the community’s commitment to beautification and artistic expression. With sculptures leased for the year and plans for future public art submissions, the Statesboro Art Park promises to remain a dynamic and evolving part of downtown’s cultural landscape.
As Boyum concluded, “It’s not just about building something beautiful—it’s about building something that brings people together.”
Video of the ceremony