"Tribute" by Peter Calaboyias

The 1996 Olympics were very good to Atlanta for so many reasons. One reason that I'd like to touch on for just a moment is all the new art that came to the City as a result of hosting the Olympic Games. One piece of art in particular—"Tribute" by Peter Calaboyias—is completely and totally fascinating...I love this sculpture!

"Tribute" by Peter Calaboyias

This solitary sculpture embodies the long and storied history of the Olympic Games, as well as its origins and it speaks to its future, as well.

Georgia.info has excellent information on the Calaboyias sculpture:
The sculpture "shows three figures: a nude male runner competing in the first Games in Olympia, Greece, 776 B.C.; a male runner competing in the first modern Games in Athens, Greece, in 1896; and a female runner competing in the Centennial Games in Atlanta in 1996. The three figures are set upon the arch of Olympia, through which athletes of the Ancient Games entered the Olympic stadium."

"Tribute" by Peter Calaboyias

If you can make it to Centennial Olympic Park on a summer Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. to see "Tribute", you'll also get to enjoy "Wednesday WindDown"—a free, live music concert held every Wednesday, now in its 15th season!

There are lots more reasons to visit Centennial Olympic Park...just pick one and enjoy!

ATLANTAvidz: Dolphins on Parade

Peppered with Social Media icons, emblazoned with jellyfish, and covered in pink disco mirror ball squares, the Dolphins on Parade are an eclectic pod.

On display throughout Atlanta, primarily at Centennial Olympic Park, Downtown, Midtown, Grant Park, and Atlantic Station, the nearly 50 dolphins parading around town have created buzz for Georgia Aquarium's new AT&T Dolphin Tales exhibition and provided funding for its sponsored admissions program, primarily for school children.

Several of the Dolphins on Parade are on display immediately outside Georgia Aquarium, including one dressed in an Atlanta Falcons football jersey bearing the signatures of all the team players and owner Arthur Blank. That's one dolphin that is certain to be a favorite in the upcoming auction during the Aquarium's annual event, Aqua Vino.

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Samuel Spencer

Samuel Spencer

Remember that Atlanta was originally a railroad town, long before she was ever a convention town. Nestled in a tight little corner of the 12-story David R. Goode Building at 1200 Peachtree Street is an elegant sandstone and bronze statue erected to one of the city's railroad pioneers.

Samuel Spencer today is remembered as the first President of Southern Railway Company, one who made remarkable achievements. The unique statue's engraved sentiment reads:

(front)

Samuel Spencer

1847 - 1906

(back)

A Georgian, A Confederate Soldier, and the First President of the Southern Railway Company. Erected by the Employees of that Company.

Most statues are erected by governments or enthusiast groups. I believe this is the first statue I've ever encountered that was erected by an employee group. He must have been one an amazing boss!

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Sightless Among Miracles

Sightless Among Miracles

The Sightless Among Miracles statue at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum is a solemn reminder and monument of the wonderful humanitarian work former U.S. President and First Lady Jimmy and Roselynn Carter have engaged in most of their lives and continue to do even today.

Although his global efforts are understated by many, President Carter has been one of the most involved world leaders, during his administration on Capitol Hill and since, in efforts to eradicate disease, poverty, and discrimination. The Carter Presidential Library and Museum chronicle many of the Carter's endeavors...much better than the media ever has.

Sightless Among Miracles, 1995, the first major work of art in the Carter Center gardens, is a monument to the Carter Center's efforts to end River Blindness. An identical statue is on the grounds of Merck's headquarters in New Jersey. The base of the statue reads:

"For hundreds of years, a child leading a blind elder has been the fate of families stricken with river blindness (onchocerciasis) in Africa and Latin America. Now the demise of this ancient scourge is in sight, thanks to a drug donated by Merck and Company and distributed to millions of people by the Carter Center, the River Blindness Foundation, and others. This bronze sculpture was created by R. T. Wallen and donated by John and Rebecca Moores."

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: The Lions of Atlanta

Les Lions d'Atlanta (The Lions of Atlanta)

Many Atlanta residents know John Portman as the architect (literally) of our fair city. He's responsible for a great many of our downtown buildings, including the Westin Peachtree Plaza, the Hyatt Regency Hotel, and the Marriott Marquis (sometimes referred to as the "pregnant building"), the latter being located on Peachtree Center Avenue.

It took a lot of digging, but I finally uncovered who sculpted the four monumental abstract bronze lions perched in front of the Marriott Marquis. John Portman himself commissioned Olivier Strebelle, a globally renowned Brussells-born artist, to create the the two pairs of guardians of the Marquis, where they have stood watch since 1986.

"Les Lions d'Atlanta" (The Lions of Atlanta) is a landmark any Atlanta local or frequent visitor will recognize...and now you can tell them the name of the work and who its creator is.

While you're exploring downtown, looking at placards for other works of art (which I couldn't find for Les Lions d'Atlanta), you'll find that John Portman designed, created, or is otherwise responsible for quite a few of our beautiful works of art.

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Benjamin Hill

Benjamin Harvey Hill

Benjamin Harvey Hill, depicted in a marble stautue that today resides on the main floor of the Georgia Capitol Building, was actively involved in Georgia politics for three decades with his final title being U.S. Senator for the State of Georgia.

Confederate President, Jefferson Davis, was in Atlanta on this day in 1886 at the behest of Henry Grady, Managing Editor of the Atlanta Constitution, on a trip to speak at the dedication of the Benjamin Hill statue. Davis is one of the three Confederate leaders depicted horseback on Stone Mountain.

ATLANTApix and ATLANTAvidz of the tourATLANTA blog features a daily photo or video relative to Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Landing Gear

"Landing Gear"

"Landing Gear" is a sculpture by Martin Dawe, proprietor of Georgia's largest custom sculpting group, CheryLion Studio, whose work can be seen all over Georgia and the world.

Dawe is known for the "World Athletes Monument," a gift to Atlanta from the Prince of Wales. That statue is standing at Pershing Point. There are currently several CherryLion sculptures on display at the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art.

The taller building behind and to the right of Landing Gear is the 3344 Peachtree, one of Atlanta's tallest buildings. The 3344 is a mixed-use (dining, office, and residential), 50 story, 635 feet skyscraper in Buckhead's skyline.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Carnegie Education Pavilion

Carnegie Education Pavilion

The Carnegie Education Pavilion, engraved with the names Dante, Asop, Milton, and Carnegie, is all that's left of the Carnegie Library. 

The library was demolished in 1977. Today, the 1996-installed Pavilion stands as a monument to higher education in Atlanta.

The thirty-foot tall Carnegie Library Arch, as it's sometimes called, is on Peachtree Street and West Peachtree Street on the north side of the downtown area in Hardy Ivy Park, directly across the street from the Suntrust Building.

The Carnegie Library once stood at Forsyth and Carnegie Way, only a few blocks from where the Pavilion stands today.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: Climb with Care and Confidence

"Climb with Care and Confidence"

                    















One of my favorite statues in Atlanta, for its unique design and subject matter, is the "Climb with Care and Confidence" sculpture—an arch fashioned of students and books. The bronze statue, dedicated during the city's beautification project just prior to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, marked $10,000,000 in scholarships contributed by Chick-fil-A, maker of probably the best chicken sandwich I've ever tasted.

The statue is just off Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta across from Woodruff Park.

As well-known as its signature sandwich, Chick-fil-A's namesake football game held on New Year's Eve, the Chick-fil-A Bowl is also a city favorite. The game takes place in Georgia Dome and will be aired live on ESPN. Seems to me the more publicity, the more money for future scholarships! And maybe more statues.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!

ATLANTApix: The Flair

The Flair

Donated to the City of Atlanta for the 1996 Olympic Summer Games—the centennial celebration of the modern Olympic Games—"The Flair," a 26-foot bronze statue of a gymnast, stands in Georgia International Plaza as a "testament to the dedication and determination of all individuals in the pursuit of excellence."

Native Californian and recipient of national and international awards, artist Richard MacDonald also designed the granite plaza (within Georgia International Plaza) where "The Flair" still stands today, 14 years later. Georgia International Plaza is located immediately in front of Georgia Dome to the east.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!