Continuing the Conversation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Continuing the Conversation |
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Continuing the Conversation (2019)
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| Artist | Martin Dawe |
| Completion date | April 5, 2018 |
| Medium | Bronze, granite |
| Subject | Rosa Parks |
| Location | Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
Continuing the Conversation is a special public sculpture located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It honors Rosa Parks, a very important person in American history. The artwork stands on the campus of Georgia Tech. Martin Dawe created this sculpture, and it was shown to the public for the first time in 2018.
The Story Behind the Sculpture
Honoring Rosa Parks
The idea for a monument honoring Rosa Parks at Georgia Tech came from Atlanta sculptor Martin Dawe. He thought it was important to remember Rosa Parks and her brave actions. Rosa Parks was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement. She is famous for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger in 1955. This act helped start the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a major event in the fight for equal rights.
A Special Design
Martin Dawe wanted to create something unique. He noticed that Rosa Parks died 50 years after her actions on the bus. He also wanted the sculpture to be unveiled around the 50th anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King Jr.. Dawe had recently finished another sculpture of King for the Georgia State Capitol.
The sculpture shows two figures of Rosa Parks. One figure shows her at age 42, which is when she took her stand on the bus. The other figure shows her at age 92, the age she was when she passed away. Between these two figures, there is an empty seat. This empty seat invites people to sit down and think about the conversation and history.
Making the Artwork
The project cost $300,000. This money was given by two people who used to study at Georgia Tech. The sculptures of Rosa Parks were made from Bronze in Utah. The granite used for the artwork came from Elberton, Georgia.
The sculpture was officially shown to the public on April 5, 2018. It is located in a part of the campus called Harrison Square. This area is named after Edwin Harrison, a former president of Georgia Tech. He was important because he helped end segregation at the university during his time there. Many people attended the unveiling, including family members of Edwin Harrison, Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks.
