In 2005 the City of Atlanta – Fulton County Recreation Authority Park Improvement Revenue Bond was issued for funding various municipal projects for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. The resulting Opportunity Bond Percent-for-Art allocation created the opportunity for a major gateway project at Cleopas R. Johnson Park.The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs Public Art Program put out a solicitation (call for artists or artist teams) to develop a site-specific public art gateway for the park. The $120,000 commission was to develop a free standing sculpture at the entrance to the park. As a result of the Call, 18 proposals where received and three finalist were chosen to present their designs to a Stakeholders panel comprised of representatives from each of the communities surrounding the park along with professional artists.
Artist Zachary Coffin was chosen to construct a 35 foot high kinetic sculpture with s
uspended trumpets that bring to mind the dynamic stance of a horn player. This addition will bring attention to a once ignored park; honor the name sake of the park - former Morris Brown Band Director Cleopas R. Johnson and create a portal into the southwest cultural districts of the city. The artwork is anticipated to become a signature portal into the Castleberry Hill, Atlanta University, Georgia Dome and Ralph David Abernathy communities.
“The Horn Section”, will serve as a focal point for the area and a cultural catalysis’ designed to bring new recognition to the Park.