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Art Sandy Springs asks council to shift sculpture funds indoors, revives 20th‑anniversary turtle walk
Summary
Art Sandy Springs outlined plans to convert the outdoor sculpture program into a permanent City Springs collection, proposed a City Hall feature wall and Third Floor gallery installations, and described a mid‑June–September 20th‑anniversary turtle exhibit; staff and council discussed budget timing and refurbishment needs for existing turtles.
Sherry Morris, head of art initiatives for Art Sandy Springs, told the Sandy Springs City Council on April 15 that the nonprofit wants to repurpose outdoor sculpture funding to install a curated, permanent collection inside City Springs and to manage donated works for public and office spaces.
The proposal centers on implementing the City Springs master art plan in phases: purchasing and curating permanent pieces for lobby and third‑floor public areas, creating a rotating lobby gallery and a large City Hall feature wall, and converting the annual outdoor sculpture competition into the City Springs Collection. Morris said the group already manages the Abernathy Arts Center under contract with the city and runs the City Gallery and Arts in the Open programs.
"We are asking that for the continued budgeting," Morris said, adding that Art Sandy Springs has $25,000 remaining from this year’s sculpture budget and that the city typically budgets $60,000 per year for public art. She presented artist price guidance the group collected, saying estimates for a major feature wall ranged from about $60,000 to $150,000 and larger commissioned works could reach the upper end of a $75,000 to $220,000 range depending on scale and material. For the Third Floor conference‑level collection, Morris said the plan contemplates roughly 29 pieces with an approximate budget in the $90,000 range if purchased over one to two years.
Dina Chimney, executive director of Art Sandy Springs and the Abernathy Arts Center, outlined a proposed Turtle Walk on City Green to mark the city’s 20th anniversary. The exhibit would place roughly 10 privately owned, restored turtles on existing concrete bases from the outdoor sculpture program from mid‑June through early September; each turtle’s sign would identify the donor and include a QR code to historical material.
Council members raised implementation and budget questions. Councilmember Jody Rochelle asked whether donated pieces could be displayed in public spaces; Morris said donations could be considered for public display, but donated collections often require management to prevent stylistic clashes. Councilmember John Paulson and Councilmember Andy Baumann emphasized preservation of the original outdoor turtles and suggested photo galleries and historical exhibitions as lower‑cost ways to celebrate Sandy Springs history. Paulson said refurbishing the outdoor collection could cost in the range of $25,000 to $50,000, a figure Morris confirmed as a working estimate to strip and restore multiple turtles.
Councilmember Melissa Mueller and others pressed for a clear process for selection and curation. Morris described a mixed approach: curated purchases for the most visible spaces and expanded outreach to solicit donated works through community networks, artist groups and civic organizations. She said the city already has a gifts policy governing benches and sculptures and that Art Sandy Springs would work with city staff to place any donated pieces according to that policy.
Morris and Chimney said the group will coordinate with parks and capital projects planning to embed public art early in project design — for example by reserving easements or conduit pathways where sculpture or murals are planned — and to prioritize art in upcoming capital work on Mount Vernon Highway, Path 400 and Hammond Drive.
Councilmembers generally voiced support for the concept while urging deliberation on which elements to fund first. Councilmember Baumann said public art should be visible across the city, not only in City Springs, and suggested leveraging private‑public partnerships. Councilmember Paulson asked not to rush permanent installations and urged a process similar to the veterans memorial competition that used shortlisting and committee review.
Morris asked the council to continue the city’s annual public art budgeting and to work with Art Sandy Springs and staff to determine whether to begin with the City Hall feature wall, the Third Floor collection or other phases.
The presentation closed with council direction to include the topic in forthcoming budget discussions and follow up with staff on project timelines and procurement details.
