AURORA — Since the opened 10 years ago in Aurora, there has been something missing: a statue commemorating the activist and humanitarian.
But that soon will change. The city has commissioned a sculptor to create a statue of King, which will be located outside the library on East Colfax Avenue.
The statue will be at its new home by the end of the summer, city officials said.
“It is really important to our community,” said Aurora City Councilwoman , who has been pushing for a statue of King at the library for years. “It’s important for young people to recognize and know the history of the strive for equality and equal rights, what people in the past have gone through historically.”
The artist who is sculpting the statue is Jeff Hall of Lovettsville, Va. He was one of 12 finalists chosen to submit a “full-size” figure; Hall was selected to create the 7-foot bronze sculpture.
“This was a big competition,” said Hall, who creates mostly public art. “It was like winning the Oscars.”
This will be Hall’s first sculpture of King. Hall did not get the inspiration from photos, like other artists. Instead, he said, he took a more “honest approach” by coming up with words that depict King’s character. Passion, determination, strength were just several of the thoughts he hopes people will have when viewing his sculpture.
“I was trying to come up with a pose where you see those words,” Hall said. “That’s pretty complex to get gentle yet strong in the same pose.”
For this statue, Hall will have King holding his “I Have a Dream” speech in his left hand with his right hand extended as if he were giving the speech.
The commission is being funded through the city’s Art in Public Places program, said Mary Allman-Koernig, public art coordinator for the city of Aurora.
Peterson added: “It’s really important this generation understands that several generations have been working to reach a point where all are treated as equals.”
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175, cillescas@denverpost.com or twitter.com/cillescasdp
