This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of Martin Luther King Junior’s “I Have a Dream…” and the commemorative artwork of four Madison artists will be featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Fortunately, if you’re unwilling or unable to make the pilgrimage into the city, the art is on display in the hallway between C-Hall and the Alice Perlaw Media Center. If even that is too far, look no farther than to your right. Four preview photographs offer a brief glimpse into the effort our Dodgers put towards this honorable project instigated by Mrs. Sokolowski.
Mrs. Thomas considers this project a fabulous way to give back to a man who gave his life for the expansion of our nation’s civil rights. Martin Luther King Junior dreamed of, and fought for racial equality, when it was considered contrary to the Christian way. King spoke peaceably but deliberately, bravely facing all opposition to his cause. In his time, a black president was nothing but wishful thinking; today, our first returns for his second term. Our nation is bounds closer to the dream than it has ever been, and we pursue that dream relentlessly. The heroes of the African-American Civil Rights Movement dedicated their lives to the cause, and now we honor their sacrifice.
The competition our Dodgers are involved in is an exciting process for all involved. Four students were selected to post their work in the Met, and each has a chance at progressing to the national round, where ten students from around the nation will be recognized for their artwork and offered a shot at the grand prize.
The goal of the project is to artistically commemorate Martin Luther King, but individual artists have taken it in different directions that aim to preserve the same spirit. The acceptance of Gay Americans is embodied by a combination of the Gay and American flags. Another captures the connection between a black and white face, asking a profound question: “Are we really that different?” Though it might seem they have diverted from the original concept of Martin Luther King Day, these artists believe this is simply the next step in making Martin Luther King’s dream a reality.
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