King statue moving forward at MLK Park
The installation known as “Ripple” by artist Andrew Luy is on track for a groundbreaking early next year
Nov. 7, 2023
By Beth Kassab
A larger-than-life-size statute of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. surrounded by concentric seating is undergoing final site design for MLK Park near the corner of Denning Drive and Morse Boulevard.
A rendering of the installation by New York artist Andrew Luy was approved by a city task force as well as an entity that represents the King family, according to a report to be provided to City Commissioners this week.
A groundbreaking is likely in early 2024. Commissioners approved the project, which will cost $450,000, in April.
The artwork known as “Ripple” is designed to show how King’s influence on movements for peace and equality continues to spread today. The bronze statue shows King’s hand outstretched in a characteristic gesture he made while speaking and is intended to “symbolize his calm, non-violent movement,” according to Luy.
Black granite memorial walls “with inscriptions of the former families that once lived on MLK Park and concentric seating is meant to be contemplative and reverberating,” according to the artist’s description.
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The MLK statue has been “on track” for the past 10 years when then Mayor Ken Bradley made a big show of going out to the corner of Morse and Dening and promising everyone a statue of King on the site.
Never happened.
No statue when Bradley was mayor.
No statue when Leary was mayor.
No statue when Anderson was mayor.
They all promise it.
But they never seem to get around to ever actually putting it there.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Anderson promised and Anderson and this commission have delivered. Read the article. Anderson and the commission gave approval in April. Many steps were required, not to mention a lot of money. The King family had to approve. The artist may not have had an extra King statue sitting around. He might have had to make it. Why not give credit where credit is due? Where others promised, Anderson and this commission followed through.
You may want re-visit that discussion. It’s interesting: https://www.orangeobserver.com/news/2012/jun/27/winter-park-park-be-named-mlk/
Where did the $450,000 come from. Sounds like an expensive statue.
Wonderful!
It will be a lovely addition to the park and another landmark for Winter Park.