MLK sculptures on display at the MLK commemorative event featuring sculptures of Dr. King done by Philadelphia school students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 in Philadelphia. (Jeff Fusco/AP Images for Comcast)
With MLK Day coming on Monday, Jan. 15, Philadelphia’s young artistic community is reminded of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. quote, “Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.” They celebrated King’s life by unveiling sculptures depicting Dr. King and designed using quotes from him as creative inspiration.
On Thursday, Jan. 11, Philadelphia’s young artists celebrated the life of Dr. King by presenting their sculptures inspired by his quotes. The more than 50 students, who were commissioned by a Comcast-sponsored initiative, Voices of the Civil Rights Movement, attend schools and organizations from across Philadelphia, including the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), Art-Reach, Overbrook School for the Blind, Girard College, and Big Brother Big Sisters.
The students were joined by Bret Perkins, vice president External and Government Affairs, Comcast Corporation; councilman Kenyatta Johnson and Joanne Beaver, principal, Philadelphia School of Creative and Performing Art.
Johnson presented each of the students with certificates, acknowledging their creativity and dedication to the arts and the historical day. One student recipient shared his perspective on the process: “These statues embody the spirit of collaboration and creativity. They are important reminders of our history that is forever intertwined with the legacy of Dr. King and the civil rights movement. And by giving form to these, we too have become a part of this great legacy.”
The nine sculptures, which scale as high as more than six feet tall, were revealed for the first time to the public during the event and will be on display at prominent locations throughout the city during Black History Month.
Locations include:
* African American Museum
* Betsy Ross House
* City Hall
* Comcast Center Plaza
* Kimmel Center
* Philadelphia Museum of Art
* Philadelphia School District Main Building
* Temple University
Comcast is proud to sponsor and lead this unique celebration of a true American hero and icon. April 4, 2018 marks the the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination.
CAPA dancers perform at the MLK commemorative event featuring sculptures of Dr. King done by Philadelphia school students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 in Philadelphia. (Jeff Fusco/AP Images for Comcast)
MLK sculptures on display at the MLK commemorative event featuring sculptures of Dr. King done by Philadelphia school students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 in Philadelphia. (Jeff Fusco/AP Images for Comcast)
Bret Perkins, VP External & Government Affairs at Comcast, Speaks at MLK commemorative event featuring sculptures of Dr. King done by Philadelphia school students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 in Philadelphia. (Jeff Fusco/AP Images for Comcast)
Philadelphia Councilman Kenyatta Johnson speaks at MLK commemorative event featuring sculptures of Dr. King done by Philadelphia school students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 in Philadelphia. (Jeff Fusco/AP Images for Comcast)
Evelyn Sample-Oates speaks at MLK commemorative event featuring sculptures of Dr. King done by Philadelphia school students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 in Philadelphia. (Jeff Fusco/AP Images for Comcast)
School student and artist Minh Vo speaks at MLK commemorative event featuring sculptures of Dr. King done by Philadelphia school students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 in Philadelphia. (Jeff Fusco/AP Images for Comcast)
Bret Perkins, VP External & Government Affairs at Comcast, Speaks at MLK commemorative event featuring sculptures of Dr. King done by Philadelphia school students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 in Philadelphia. (Jeff Fusco/AP Images for Comcast)
MLK sculptures on display at the MLK commemorative event featuring sculptures of Dr. King done by Philadelphia school students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 in Philadelphia. (Jeff Fusco/AP Images for Comcast)
The CAPA choir performs at the MLK commemorative event featuring sculptures of Dr. King done by Philadelphia school students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 in Philadelphia. (Jeff Fusco/AP Images for Comcast)
The MLK commemorative event featuring sculptures of Dr. King done by Philadelphia school students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 in Philadelphia. (Jeff Fusco/AP Images for Comcast)
CAPA dancers perform at the MLK commemorative event featuring sculptures of Dr. King done by Philadelphia school students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018 in Philadelphia. (Jeff Fusco/AP Images for Comcast)
