The Otis Redding Foundation announced that it is celebrating "Otis Redding’s ongoing legacy with the Otis Redding Statue, a life-size bronze sculpture that pays tribute to the King of Soul and his multi-platinum, international classic hit '(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.' With June marking Black Music Month, the statue honors the late icon’s cultural contributions in the history of American music, and legacy of his deep roots in Macon giving back to the community. This June, the Otis Redding Foundation will also lead their popular Otis Music Camp, the annual summer program that empowers new generations of young artists through arts education."
According to a statement, "The Otis Redding Statue is now installed at the corner of Cotton Avenue and Cherry Street in downtown Macon, atop a new water fountain added to its design by sculptor Bradley Cooley Jr. It stands in front of the cultural hub the Redding family has built along Cotton Avenue, which includes the Zelma Redding Amphitheater and Otis Redding Center for the Arts (ORCA), and the Otis Redding Museum. The statue is an enduring reflection of Macon’s rich musical legacy, a community that’s been a vital home to helping Otis Redding, the Redding family, and many artists to flourish. The statue was previously displayed since 2002 in Macon’s Gateway Park overlooking the historic Ocmulgee River, and originally created by sculptors Bradley Cooley and Bradley Cooley Jr."
"The statue of Otis Redding is not simply a symbol of the Reddings' enormous impact on Macon. It being on Cotton Avenue, mere feet from where a relocated statue of a Confederate soldier stood for almost a century is a beautiful testament to Macon's generational progress. The statue of Otis Redding and the Center are a true representation of who we were, are, and can and will be" - says Seth Clark, Mayor Pro Tempore for Macon-Bibb County and Executive Director of the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative.
Karla Redding-Andrews, Vice President and Executive Director of the Otis Redding Foundation, says - “As lifelong residents of Macon, our family is proud to have our father’s statue relocated to Cotton Avenue, together in front of the new amphitheater named for our mother, and just blocks from property our father owned in the 1960s. Macon has always been a vibrant community that has been an important foundation to support our father and mother’s dreams, nurturing us to be able to lead and develop opportunities to support the dreams and education of future generations. At the Otis Redding Foundation, we carry on our purpose of serving the youth and adults of Macon and middle Georgia, together let’s continue to make an impact for our community to continue thriving here at home and the world.”
"Established in 2007 by Founder and President Zelma Redding, the Otis Redding Foundation is now housed in ORCA, now the home site for its signature summer camp programs (Otis Music Camp and Camp Dream). The Otis Music Camp runs June 2 – 21, 2025, serving youth ages 12-18 interested in the music business. Camp Dream will follow from July 14 - 25, 2025, serving children ages 5-11 to explore the arts, from music and dance to visual arts and theater. The state-of-the-art ORCA is a 15,000 sq-ft facility encompassing the Zelma Redding Amphitheater, multiple creative labs and classrooms, and the O3 Recording Studio, named after Otis Redding, III, who passed away in April, 2023," they say.
This June in celebration of Black Music Month, also sees one of Otis Redding’s most acclaimed albums Otis Blue, getting a mastered vinyl treatment, to be released by Warner Music’s Rhino Reserve premium vinyl series on June 27th.
For more information on the Otis Redding Foundation, its programs and ORCA, visit https://www.otisreddingfoundation.org/ and https://www.orcamacon.org/. Connect on Instagram, Facebook @otisreddingfoundation @orcamacon
