Lluis Barbadillo

The union of all human beings flying towards the future.

I Have a Dream: International Tribute Exhibition to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Atlanta’s Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic  Site May 21—July 19, 2009

(Atlanta, GA— May 18, 2009) The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site this week opens the art exhibit, "I Have a Dream: International Tribute Exhibition to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."  Organized by the Town Council of Sitges, Spain— "the cradle of Modernism"— the exhibit runs in Atlanta—King’s birthplace and "the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement"— May 21-July 19, 2009.

Seventy artists from every continent are featured in this group exhibition, where the common theme is "the dream." The "I Have a Dream" exhibit establishes the universal relevance of Dr. King's dream for justice and human uplift proclaimed from the steps of the Abraham Lincoln Memorial 45 years ago.

The exhibit reflects the innovative spirit of the Modernist movement and is "the vision and reflection of the shared, modernized dream of different artists and thinkers," explains curator Gabi Serrano. He adds, "The complexity and diversity of an exhibit by over seventy artists is obvious, but it is also an opportunity to enjoy a venture with different visions and techniques at the service of a single goal: to bring Martin Luther King's dream up to date."

The "I Have a Dream" tribute includes:

·         Thirteen representations of Dr. King's countenance,

·          Nearly 20 characteristic depictions of struggle and activism,

·          8 works that breathe new life into cultural norms of gender and color (race), and

·         5 pieces conveying King’s vision through the use of avian symbols, among other works.

“The National Park Service established the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in 1980 to illuminate Dr. King’s contributions to national and global affairs,” said Judy Forte, superintendent, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. “In fulfilling that charge, we are proud to host the ‘I Have a Dream’ exhibit, which demonstrates the expansive impact of Dr. King’s dream for peace, justice and human rights.

Dr. King’s dream is channeled in this exhibit through the artistic expressions of: Andrew Alfaro, Enric Ansesa, Eduard Annarz Bravo, Javier Balda, José Manuel Ballester, Lluís Barbadillo, Ana Barboza, Blanca Benítez, Louise Bourgeoise, Enrique Brinkman, Isabel Castilho, Ed Clark, Elizabeth Catlett, Lluis Cera, Carmen Cicero, José Manuel Ciria, Victoria Civera, Nisa Chevenement, Willie Cole, Miguel Condé, Xavier Corbero, Marienne Dumas, Rachel B. Egenhoefer, Etoundi Essamba, Luis Feito, Ivonne Ferrer, Stanley Forman, Cristóbal Gabarrón, Roberto Galvao, Juan Genovés, Paul Goodnight, Luis Gordillo, Josep Grau-Garriga, Richard Hamilton, Mona Hatoum, Laura Iniesta, Kcho, Sharon Kopriva, Menchu Lamas, Antón Lamazares, Matt Lamb, Andrés Landin, Francisco Leiro, Lluis Lleó, Robert Llimós, Eva Lootz, Allie McGhee, Waltraud Maczassek, Maïs, Santi Moix, Antoni Muntades, Isabel Muñoz, Fernando Pagola, Charly Palmer, Perico Pastor, Antón Patiño, Carlos Pazos, Lee Pei, Howardeena Pindell, Josep Puigmartí, Martin Puryear, Manolo Quejido, Josep M Riera I Aragó, Tim + K.O.S Rollins, Benet Rossell, Amparo Sard, Charlie Sartwelle, Carme Solé, Reiko Sudo, Wingu Tingima, Josep Uclés, Juan Uslé, Vicenç Viaplana, Ernest Whithers, Kiersten Williams, and Cui Xiuwen.

The “I Have a Dream” tribute exhibition has visited New York, Michigan, and Tennessee, and will continue on to Alabama and Illinois before returning for a tour of Spain next year. 

Admission is free to the exhibition located at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, Visitor Center, 450 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta. Exhibit hours are 9am-5pm daily (until 6pm beginning May 30).

For more information, call (404) 331-5190 or visit www.nps.gov/malu.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, operated by the National Park Service, preserves and

interprets the places in Atlanta where civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. was born, lived, worked,

Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church (Heritage Sanctuary)

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Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church is closed for  Phase II Restoration and will re-open late 2009

ATLANTA-- On September 10, 2007 the Heritage Sanctuary at Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta closed to begin its Phase II Restoration Project.

Phase II represents the remaining work necessary to restore the church to its period of historic significance, according to Judy Forte, superintendent of the site. “We are focusing on the 1960’s, when Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. returned to Atlanta, as co-pastor of Ebenezer and president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference,” Forte said. “Many of the Civil Rights Movement’s mass meetings, rallies and strategy sessions were held in this historic sanctuary and fellowship hall.”

The Heritage Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall were last closed from April 2001 to January 2002 for Phase I of the Restoration Project which addressed the building’s infrastructure, safety and mechanical needs by installing a fire suppression system, stabilizing the roof, and replacing the electrical and HVAC systems. Funding for Phase I was made possible primarily by private sources, including a grant of more than $ 620,000 from the Save America’s Treasures program, gifts of nearly $500,000 from 18 corporations and foundations who were inspired by Georgia-Pacific’s CEO A.D. “Pete” Correll, and another $500,000 contributed by private individuals.

Phase II, an approximately $4 million, federally funded project will focus on the church’s historical architecture and cosmetic design. It will include a combination of restoration and preservation treatments. A high priority will be to restore the church’s sanctuary and fellowship hall back to their appearance during the 1960’s, when Reverend. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. served in the pulpit with his father, “Daddy” King.

“The importance of completing Phase II cannot be overemphasized,” Forte said. “This is one of the powerful anchors of a world treasure, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, which annually welcomes more than 600,000 national and international visitors. In addition, each January the Heritage Sanctuary hosts the nationally-broadcast King Holiday Ecumenical Services.” 

When Phase II is completed visitors will be able to fully experience the church that supported the family, spiritual and cultural development of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from the early age of five, when he was baptized there, to his last days of thirty nine years on April 9, 1968 .

“The National Park Service has been responsible for preserving, protecting and interpreting this historic structure since March 1999, when the congregation moved into their new church, Horizon Sanctuary, stated Forte.” “It is our mission and vision to continually and effectively preserve these sacred resources, like Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church that so powerfully make ups this world treasure, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site.”

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