Together 2017 announces new fitness area and public art projects

Drawing on the arts and fitness, two elements that have been critical in a resurgence of the Columbus region, Together 2017 announced two major projects Friday morning.

Together 2017, in its second year as a community-based campaign initiated by the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, will invest nearly $140,000 in an outdoor fitness area at Rotary Park along the Chattahoochee RiverWalk south of downtown and a multi-faceted art project that combines murals with poetry.

The art project is called “My River Valley,” feeding off a poem of the same title written by Northside High School theater instructor Isiah M. Harper. Four local artists — Garry Pound, Butch Anthony, Sally Bradley and Najee Dorsey — have been commissioned to produce public art that is inspired by the poetry.

Younger leaders, termed the next generation of local leadership, had a huge say in what projects were funded, said Ledger-Enquirer Publisher Rodney Mahone.

One was Cassie Myers, marketing and public relations director for the Pezold Companies.

“We did not want something that was just for us,” Myers said of her generation. “We were tasked with finding something that everyone would use and enjoy.”

And the 10-station outdoor exercise equipment along the RiverWalk will accomplish that, Myers said.

“We think it will be used by a lot of people in the community,” she said.

The poetry and murals will be the most visible part of the project.

“The thing about collaborative art is you can see the words, internalize the words and in this project you will be able to see the words,” Harper said. “That is really cool.”

Dorsey’s work will center on two lines of Harper’s 14-stanza poem: “My lonely heart escaped its southern blues.”

“My work will center on the Southern narrative and the Southern culture,” he said.

Pound, one of the city’s most established artists known for his portrait work, said he is still contemplating his work.

“This is a great opportunity to see how to convey the words in the poetry,” Pound said.

The Together 2017 partners include: Aflac, Columbus Regional Health, Columbus State University, Columbus Technical College, Phenix City-Russell County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Georgia Power Company, Headquarter Nissan, Hughston Clinic, Knox Pest Control, Media, Marketing ... and More Inc., Naartje MultiMedia, Pratt & Whitney, Robinson Grimes, The Pezold Companies, TSYS and West Georgia Eye Care.

Last year, Together 2016 did multiple community projects including an investment in improvements to the Frank Martin Pedestrian Bridge that included large coverings over the seating areas. There were also more than 55 free libraries and a number of benches scattered through Columbus and Phenix City.

This story was originally published December 15, 2017 at 3:36 PM with the headline "Together 2017 announces new fitness area and public art projects."