‘Weird-looking stools’ on display in Macon are meant to raise awareness for health issue

Some unusual-looking seating at two Macon hotspots is meant to grab attention, but also raise awareness of an overlooked health issue.

The Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education, or CORE, has launched a state-wide colon cancer awareness campaign in the form of “weird-looking stools.” These colorful chairs can be found in bars and restaurants in various Georgia cities. They’re currently in Atlanta, Athens, Valdosta, and Macon. The campaign initially launched Sept. 15 and will last until Nov. 30.

In Macon, the Social Duck and Society Garden are the places to find the weird-looking stools.

CORE worked with the advertising marketing agency Chemistry, and artist Julian Scalia, to bring the chairs to life. Together, they made and distributed 35 chairs throughout the state. The chairs will move around each month to different cities and locations.

Each stool portrays an artistic representation of potential symptoms of colon cancer. The campaign website says they are “as strange as the symptoms they represent. They’re weird, bold, and impossible to ignore.” At each location, signage is provided to learn more information through the campaign and CORE websites.

CORE’s intention with the stools is to make the conversation of colon cancer more approachable through art and to specifically target a younger demographic.

“We wanted to reach that group, because by 2030, colon cancer is expected to be the number one cancer killer of people under 50 years old,” CORE CEO Lynn Durham said in a phone interview.

“We just wanted to make sure to get that word out and do it in a new, different way than they’ve seen before,” she said.

This campaign is the first of it’s kind for the organization, according to Durham. It is their first state-wide opportunity to raise awareness in such a unique way, aiming to start the conversation among people between the ages of 25 to 45.

Outside of that age range, the campaign hopes to bring attention to people of all ages, to take symptoms and signs seriously and take action. CORE promotes the benefits of catching signs early and the chances of sooner curing cancers.

The marketing agency, Chemistry, offered pro-bono services for the campaign, Durham said. Many of those working on the project wanted to do meaningful work and some even sharing personal stories about how cancer has affected their lives or those of their loved ones.

“Cancer touches everyone,” Durham said.

The campaign is hoping to bring the chairs to Augusta, Savannah, and potentially Gainsville and Albany next, but they are still looking for more involvement.

Though initially state funded, they are looking for sponsorships and more establishments hoping to host their own weird looking stools. The weird looking stools website provides more information and how to get involved.

This story was originally published September 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM.