Take a self-guided tour of MLK art in Columbus

Margaret Quamme
·4 min read
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Martin Luther King Jr. is recognized in Columbus not just on the third Monday of January, but all year round.

Art works either representing or inspired by him can be found in many sites in Columbus. The following list includes some of those open to the public. Those interested can use the list as the basis of a self-guided tour, picking one of the works or taking time to see them all.

Some are open to the public 24/7, while others have limited hours. Here’s more information about each of the works.

More:Martin Luther King Jr. Day events, things to do in Columbus

Columbus Metropolitan Library, Martin Luther King Branch, 1467 E. Long St.

A piece of art comprised of glass on canvas by Walt Wali Neil, called "King: The Man, the Mountain," depicts Martin Luther King Jr., and hangs in the Columbus Metropolitan Library branch that now bears his name.
A piece of art comprised of glass on canvas by Walt Wali Neil, called "King: The Man, the Mountain," depicts Martin Luther King Jr., and hangs in the Columbus Metropolitan Library branch that now bears his name.

The library branch displays a portrait of King in paint and carved wood by Elijah Pierce, a papier mache portrait by Smokey Brown and a portrait on canvas by Walt Wali Neil. Visitors can view the artworks during the branch's open hours, which are Monday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. (columbuslibrary.org)

King Arts Complex, 835 Mt. Vernon Ave.

A bronze bust of Martin Luther King Jr. by artist Elizabeth Catlett at the entrance to the King Arts Complex.
A bronze bust of Martin Luther King Jr. by artist Elizabeth Catlett at the entrance to the King Arts Complex.

The venue displays several pieces of art related to King, including two photos as well as a bust of King by sculptor Elizabeth Catlett in the lobby, and a large mosaic in the Nicholson Auditorium. A mural dedicated to King's wife, Coretta Scott King, painted by Ohio State University art students, is on the outside of the building. Works inside the building can be viewed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. (kingartscomplex.org)

Washington Gladden Social Justice Park, 404 E. Broad St.

A new sculpture, "Our Single Garment of Destiny," was unveiled on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, at Washington Gladden Social Justice Park at the Columbus College of Art & Design. The sculpture, created by artists Julian and Adriana Voss-Andreae of Portland, was inspired by King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," which was published in 1963. Viewed from different angles, the sculpture seems to disappear, representing people who are invisible to society.

Among the artworks in Washington Gladden Social Justice Park is a large steel sculpture, “Our Single Garment of Destiny.” Installed in 2020, the piece was created by artists Adriana and Julian Voss-Andreae, and inspired by a quotation from King's “Letter from Birmingham Jail”: “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.” (socialjusticepark.org)

Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center, Ohio State University, 254 W. 12th Ave.

"King's Life" by Larry Winston Collins can be seen inside the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center at Ohio State University.
"King's Life" by Larry Winston Collins can be seen inside the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center at Ohio State University.

The first piece of art donated to the Hale Center's art collection, which opened in 1989, was “King's Life,” a relief painting by Larry Winston Collins. It can be viewed when Hale Hall is open. Following the MLK holiday, the center will return to regular academic year hours, which are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. (odi.osu.edu/hbcc-art-collection)

Barack Recreation Center, 580 E. Woodrow Ave.

A stencil of Martin Luther King Jr. (center) decorates the hallway at the Barack Community Center.
A stencil of Martin Luther King Jr. (center) decorates the hallway at the Barack Community Center.

The recreation center features a hand-painted portrait of King in the hallway. The art was originally created by an AmeriCorps volunteer about 20 years ago, and most recently touched up by Felicia DeRosa. The piece can be viewed when the center is open: 12 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays; 3 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 12 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays. (columbusrecparks.com/community-center/barack)

Afra Grill, 1635 Morse Road

A framed Martin Luther King Jr. portrait is held by an Afra Grill staff member at their Morse Road restaurant.
A framed Martin Luther King Jr. portrait is held by an Afra Grill staff member at their Morse Road restaurant.

Patrons will find a framed portrait of King in the restaurant, which serves food from Somalia and West Africa. Additionally, there are references to the U. S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, an Abraham Lincoln portrait and other items speaking to American freedoms (afragrill.com)

Short North Garage mural, 720 N. Pearl St.

A woman walks past a mural highlighting the words of Martin Luther King Jr. on the Short North Garage.
A woman walks past a mural highlighting the words of Martin Luther King Jr. on the Short North Garage.

A mural by Adam Hernandez is featured on the side of the Short North garage. The piece includes a quote by King: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only light can do that."

King-Lincoln Bronzeville mural, Governors Place near Long St.

Bronzeville mural along Governors Place near Long Street on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020.
Bronzeville mural along Governors Place near Long Street on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020.

A large mural painted by Gabriel Gatton honors King as well as others, including Duke Ellington and Frida Kahlo. It has garnered some controversy; some have complained about the prominent placement of Abraham Lincoln, and argued that the mural is a symbol of gentrification in the rapidly changing, historically Black King-Lincoln/Bronzeville neighborhood.

William H. Thomas Art Gallery, 1270 Bryden Road

A painting of Martin Luther King Jr. by artist who is currently serving time in prison hangs at the The William H. Thomas Gallery, also known as "The Gallery in the Hood."
A painting of Martin Luther King Jr. by artist who is currently serving time in prison hangs at the The William H. Thomas Gallery, also known as "The Gallery in the Hood."

Owned by Chief Baba Shongo, the gallery has multiple pieces of King on view during open hours on Saturday, 2-4 p.m., or by appointment (614-745-1753).

Dispatch features editor Erica Thompson contributed to this story.

margaretquamme@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Your guide to Martin Luther King Jr. art in Columbus

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