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Macon-Bibb opens Bicentennial Park with land acknowledgment and new public artworks
Summary
Macon-Bibb County leaders and artists opened Bicentennial Park, featuring commissioned works that honor Muscogee history; the ceremony included a formal land acknowledgment, artist remarks about cultural symbolism, and a ribbon unveiling by Mayor Melissa Miller.
Macon-Bibb County officials, artists and community members gathered to open Bicentennial Park, a new public space at the base of the Ocmulgee mounds in Macon, with a formal land acknowledgment and a series of commissioned artworks intended to honor local Indigenous and African American histories.
Tracy Rivas, chair of the park committee, delivered the county land acknowledgment: “The government and citizens of Macon Bibb County respectfully acknowledge the Muscogee, Ujohaw, Zoyaha people who lived, worked, produced knowledge on, nurtured the land now known as Macon, Georgia.” She framed the park as a place for reflection, education and reconciliation and said art would serve as the park’s principal storytelling medium.
Artist Kenneth Johnson, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, described his marble installation, titled Itchke or "Mother Ground," and explained its cultural symbolism. Johnson said the white Georgia marble in the piece is intended as a healing stone and said the sculpture’s design includes a flame motif and red paint matched to traditional stickball warrior colors. He noted the marble block is substantial in scale and weight and described plans for an annual canoe journey on the Ocmulgee River and a ceremony to renew the sculpture’s colors.
Organizers said the art program was selected through an open call and anonymous scoring of concepts, with finalists invited to give fuller proposals and participate in interviews. Commissions announced at the opening include works by Elian Aberbunch, Alexis Gregg and Tanner Coleman, Lynn Whitaker, Julian Arbuck and others, with site-specific pieces placed to reflect sun angles and local sightlines.
Mayor Melissa Miller called the park a milestone in the city’s bicentennial celebrations and thanked committee members, donors and contractors. Miller said the park “marks the beginning of a new chapter” for the community as officials unveiled a dedication marker and prepared for a ribbon-cutting.
Organizers encouraged the public to use the space for reflection and community events; they highlighted plans for ongoing programming tied to local traditions and history. No formal city action or vote took place at the ceremony; the event was a public dedication and unveiling of completed work.
