Civil Rights
David Clark’s public art with an American Civil Rights theme/subject.
Benton Harbor, “A Seat at the Table”
The Benton Harbor sculpture reflects Dr. King’s early career, when he was working to get his community involved in government so that they could have ‘A Seat at the Table’.
Across the table from him (and across the years), is a contemporary child pushing a seat closer to the table -a symbol of the next generation taking up the work. The children at the installation had never seen a black child depicted in bronze, and were delighted.
Surrounding the plaza is a granite circle etched with the names of the two towns linked by a drawing of the bridge between them. The towns each appear the same number of times, and given that this is a circle, neither one comes first. Equality!
The children at the installation had never seen a black child depicted in bronze, and were delighted.
The Benton Harbor sculpture shows Dr. King working to get his community involved in government so that they could have ‘A Seat at the Table’.
Across the table from Dr King (and across the years), is a contemporary child pushing a seat closer to the table - a symbol of the next generation taking up the work.
Surrounding the plaza is a granite circle etched with the names of the two towns linked by a drawing of the bridge between them. The towns each appear the same number of times, and given that this is a circle, neither one comes first.
St Joseph, "The Mountaintop"
St. Joseph’s installation, ‘The Mountaintop’ is a look at Dr. King’s last night on earth. He was in Memphis where he made a speech in which he said “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. …But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!
And so, I’m happy tonight.
I’m not worried about anything.”
King is flanked by two young girls, one White and one Black, who are releasing doves, the symbol of peace, toward Benton Harbor.
Thurgood Marshall
Requiem
Atlanta Civil Rights Hero Dorothy Bolden
Life-sized.
Mozley Park, Atlanta, GA.
Our thanks to Ms. Bolden’s daughter, Altermiece Gates, for sharing with us her mother’s jewelry and accessories so that we could create the most accurate sculpture of her.
At the suggestion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ms. Bolden, who had started working at age 9, organized the is National Domestic Workers Union of America while also registering thousands to vote for the first time.
Atlanta Civil Rights Hero the Rev. Hosea Williams
Life-sized.
Mozley Park, Atlanta, GA.
Rev. Williams was one of Dr. Martin Luther King’s men, and was with him on that balcony in Memphis when he was assassinated. Williams returned to Atlanta and continued his efforts in registering voters, expanding civil rights, and feeding the hungry and homeless.
We appreciate the Rev. Williams’ daughter Elisabeth Omilami (upper left) for sharing family photos and stories with us.
Atlanta Civil Rights Hero Dr. Rita Samuels
Life-sized.
Mozley Park, Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Samuels was one of Georgia’s most prolific women’s and civil rights advocates. She marched with Dr. King and was the first Black woman in history to serve on the staff of a Georgia Governor; and in the White House as a consultant to President Jimmy Carter.
We were so happy that Dr. Samuel's husband, Stanley Samuels, was able to see the sculpture of his beloved wife before he passed.
Atlanta Civil Rights Hero W. A. Scott II
Life-sized.
Mozley Park, Atlanta.
W.A. Scott founded the Atlanta World Newspaper in 1928, when he was just 26 years old. By 1932, the Atlanta Daily World was the first successful African American daily newspaper conglomerate in the United States.
Thanks to Alexis Scott, W.A.’s niece and the last family member to helm the Atlanta Daily World, for providing us with a copy of the first daily edition of the newspaper, which we scanned to create this legible bronze replica.
Texas State Senator Matthew Gaines
7’ tall.
Texas A&M Campus, College Station, TX.
Sen Gaines taught himself to read as an enslaved child, became a preacher, taught himself law and, after Juneteenth, was elected to the state senate where he was instrumental in pushing through legislation to establish land-grant colleges like A&M.
The long-awaited dedication of the Gaines sculpture was attended by the Matthew Gaines Society at Texas A&M whose efforts made it happen, members of Sen. Gaines’ extended family, and students from both TAMU and Prairie View A&M University.
The Tom Lee Monument
1 1/4 life-sized.
Tom Lee Park, Memphis, TN.
Portrait monument of Memphis hero Tom Lee, a riverman who, despite the fact that he could not swim, rescued 32 white people from the Mississippi River in 1925 after their steamboat capsized. The plaza is etched with river currents, and is surrounded by white spotlights - one for every person rescued.
Tom Lee’s niece, Charmeal Neely-Alexander, was instrumental in helping us create this tribute to her uncle.
