THE DELSARTE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

MEMORIAL MURAL

Volunteer Artists Exhibition – Second Anniversary

at the

Defoor Centre

1710 Defoor Avenue NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Tel. 404-591-3900,  www.defoorcentre.com

Exhibit: Jan. 13 to Feb 29, 2012

Artists Reception – Sun. Jan. 22, 2-4 PM

The Desarte, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Mural was commissioned by the City of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) in 2008.  Renowned figurative expressionist artist, Louis Delsarte, from New York City won the OCA competition to paint a mural to be installed on the back wall of the MLK Jr. Natatorium located at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. This fantastic, vibrant mural portrays, in 125 feet, the life of Dr. King and civil rights highlights.  It covers his life from his birth on Auburn Avenue to his untimely death.  The last few panels shout his ringing words of freedom for all Americans.

To quote Delsarte, “This is the most incredible honor that I have been given since the beginning of my career. I wanted this mural to reflect the magnitude of King’s sacrifices and his work as a civil rights leader.” The mural fulfilled Delsarte’s dream to pay homage to Dr. King, giving viewers an avenue to be part of the history in the struggles of the civil rights movement.

Photographer, William Anderson, who then was on the faculty at Morehouse, suggested Louis contact Cheryl D’Amato, an artist and photographer who resides in Macon and Atlanta.  D’Amato became the mural manager for Louis and together they gave an opportunity to over 200 artists during the year 2009, to paint on this historic mural

Bringing enthusiasm and their own emotional connections to MLK’s words, “freedom for all”, artists volunteered their time from Atlanta, surrounding counties and states and even other countries.  They congregated to the Delsarte Studio at “Studioplex on Auburn” to follow their dreams of painting on this great project.

On Sunday, January 17, 2010, after a year of sometimes hectic but precise painting under the direction of Delsarte, the mural was dedicated by the City of Atlanta. Joining Desarte in commemorating this event was Mayor Kasim Reed, Isaac Farris, June Dobbs Butts, Camille Russell Love and other dignitaries.

It was D’Amato’s dream to create a venue to honor the many volunteers who participated in this project.  Her favorite part of working on the mural was the friendship and interaction among artists of various skills and different backgrounds.  All painted towards the common goal of telling the significant story of Dr. MLK Jr. through Delsarte’s eyes.

The first volunteer exhibit for the painters and photographers took place at the Buckhead Library in January 2011.  Barbara Kendall Reed’s children’s mural “And the Children Marched,” can still be seen there, in the children’s library.

The second honorary exhibit is in January 2012 and takes place at the Defoor Centre.  Participating artists will show works of their own choosing. The public is invited to view this extraordinary exhibit and attend the reception on Sunday, January 22 from 2-4PM.  The exhibit runs from January 13^th through February 29.  For information, please contact the Defoor Centre, 404-591-3900 or Cheryl D’Amato 404-226-7368.