Just down the road from downtown Athens, the North Oconee River Greenway houses a surprising work of public art. Los Angeles-based artist Andrew Kovacs won the commission, funded by Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or T-SPLOST dollars, to create an art installation as part of the greenway. His “Rainbow Forest” was dedicated in August 2021 and consists of 36, brightly colored columns each measuring 12 feet high. The columns are spaced out six feet apart from one another and arranged in a six-by-six grid. Each one features different color combinations, and their simple construction of concrete blocks makes them easy to maintain.
“To me, the Greenway is a park, and I didn't want to just drop some object into that setting,” said Kovacs. “I think this art complements what is already there, kind of a like a forest within a forest.” He wanted to create a work of art that might encourage people to gather. The Oconee Rivers Greenway System of trails and wildlife corridors is maintained and operated by the Trails and Open Space staff of Athens-Clarke County’s Leisure Services Department. You can access maps and trails updates at ACCgov.com/greenway. SPLOST and T-SPLOST projects almost always include a public art element and have led to many works of public art over the years, including the Hot Corner mural and the art bus shelters around town.
You can find “Rainbow Forest” just off Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, near the intersection with North Avenue.
