Page 13 - Athens NCG 2025

the stories and behind-the-scenes the arena. Steven Teller’s A Blossoming Ode
moments. You can’t miss James to Georgia Music History is a horizontal mural
Brown’s red velvet cape or the that accompanies the Georgia Music Hall of
iconic megaphone of R.E.M.’s lead talent, Fame exhibit – note that it’s two stories high.
Michael Stipe. Because UGA Libraries
continues to build the music collection, Cramer toured the new arena with David
the exhibits will rotate. Barbe (most famous for playing with Drive-
by-Truckers, among many bands, and who
“Athens is arts and music. We have
accentuated the music part of Athens is director of the University of Georgia
even beyond the exhibits in the arena,” Music Business Program). After touring the
said Cramer. “Each concession stand is building’s many areas, above and below, he
representative of what you would see in a told Cramer, “I wouldn’t change a thing. It
band: a fret, piano keys, and so forth.” sounds perfect.”

“I had the honor of handing Cindy Wilson a personalized
Rock Lobster team jersey with her name on it.” entertainment district so that it is exactly
Paul Cramer, what the community needs and with
President and CEO of the Classic Center experiences that are unique and amazing.
Try something a little unfamiliar and make
Outside of the arena, public art installations “The community support for this arena a date to watch live hockey – maybe you’ll
inspire the mind. Christopher Weed’s Red has been extraordinary,” said Cramer. It is see a large tussle break out between squads
Bass is a 30-foot-tall sculpture of an upright a major economic driver of employment over a missed puck. Celebrate the spirit
bass instrument accompanied by two and the entertainment industry. Athens of sports, touring performers of all music,
6-foot-tall chairs. Kate Lewis’s Architecture of civic leaders are visioning what is next for choreography and shows. It’s a place that will
Imagination is a vertical mural the height of the land set aside for this arena’s adjacent impress you.

UGA Georgia Music Collections Kiosk

Athens Area Chamber of Commerce • athensga.com • 706.549.6800 Akins Ford Arena 9