NEW ORLEANS — A life-size sculpture of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was unveiled at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Thursday ahead of Monday's holiday.
The 6-foot statue will honor Dr. King's work during the Civil Rights movement in New Orleans. Dr. King's statue will be displayed at the Louisiana Civil Rights Museum.
“It is fitting to celebrate this important holiday weekend by further enhancing the experience of the Louisiana Civil Rights Museum - The Inaugural Experience, with a statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center President and CEO.
The Louisiana State Museum acquired the statue in 2005, hoping to display it one day in a Civil Rights Museum. Now 18 years later, the sculpture has a home, and just before MLK holiday weekend. The sculpture was brought to life by the late Louisiana artist, Reverend Ivory Dyson.
“The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is proud to be the home of the Louisiana Civil Rights Museum exhibit and share it with our thousands of annual visitors and the citizens of Louisiana," Sawaya said.
Along with Dr. King's statue will be additional artwork created by Rev. Dyson.
"This museum exhibit is a tribute to the many leaders from our state who played pivotal roles in the civil rights movement and were inspired by Dr. King, making the museum exhibit a fitting home for this wonderful statue," Sawaya said.
The Louisiana Civil Rights Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with ticket sales ending at 3:30 p.m. each day. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for senior citizens, active military members and students. Children under 6 are admitted for free. For more information, please visit LouisianaCivilRightsMuseum.org.
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