Another Martin Luther King Jr. Day has come and gone, bringing together the people of Columbus to celebrate and reflect upon an important figure in our nation’s history.
Many people made their way to the King Arts Complex yesterday, where an open house was held to honor the significance of King and the Civil Rights Movement.
“We’ve had a good turnout, and we are still expecting more people to come as the afternoon progresses,” said Jennifer Miller, performing arts director at the King Arts Complex.
Those in attendance had a number of activities in which to partake. During the four-hour open house, there were nonstop performances in the Arts Complex theater. The performances included the New Salem Jean Bell Children’s Choir, African Beginnings Dance Troupe and Poetry and Praise.
“All of the performances were aimed to educate and entertain people by the history and contributions of African-Americans,” said Mark Cardwell, spokesman for the complex.
The community was welcome to observe the exhibits on display at the complex. The displays, fitting to the occasion, reflected lifetimes of black culture and heritage. A hallway lined with dozens of vivid images of King allowed observers to reflect upon his accomplishments and the challenges he endured.
The event was not wholly dedicated to the remembrance of King, but served as a tribute to American black culture. A year-round, multimedia exhibit gave tribute to a number of black artists who contributed to the natural progression of American art. The exhibit included in-depth information on performers, including saxophonist Royal G. “Rusty” Bryant and wood carver Elijah Pierce.
An additional exhibit, decorated with the art of various local artists, included modern pieces reflecting the significance of the holiday and black culture within the community. The works on display showed every range of emotion, from sadness and confusion to pride and accomplishment.
Miller said the King Arts Complex is dedicated to enriching and improving the quality of life in the community and creating an enhanced understanding of the contributions of blacks through creative expression and education.
The complex was developed out of a desire to honor King’s memory and to provide a place to celebrate the influential work of blacks throughout the world. It allows people from all backgrounds to take a creative approach in learning about a crucial part of American history.
“We are hoping people will walk away from the open house with a greater sense of commitment to the community,” Miller said.
A sense of community was established during two separate facility marches where guests gathered together and walked through the exhibits as a group. The opportunity to give back to the community was made available with a non-perishable food drive to benefit Shiloh Baptist Church, New Salem Baptist Church and The Neighborhood House food pantries.
