The Dream (sculpture) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Dream |
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The sculpture in 2016
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| Artist | Michael Florin Dente |
| Completion date | August 28, 1998 |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Subject | Martin Luther King Jr. |
| Dimensions | 8 feet (2.4 m) tall |
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| 45°31′48″N 122°39′43″W / 45.5298688°N 122.661991°W | |
| Owner | City of Portland and Multnomah County Public Art Collection courtesy of the Regional Arts & Culture Council |
The Dream, also known as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Sculpture, is a large outdoor bronze sculpture. It honors Martin Luther King Jr. and was created by Michael Florin Dente. You can find it outside the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.
This 8-foot (2.4 m) tall statue was officially revealed on August 28, 1998. This date was special because it was the 35th anniversary of King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. The sculpture shows King along with three other figures that represent ideas. These figures are:
- a man who stands for American workers
- a woman who represents immigrants
- a young girl who is letting go of King's coat. The artist, Dente, said this girl shows how people "let go" of their own time and energy to help with important struggles.
The sculpture is part of the public art collection owned by the City of Portland and Multnomah County. The Regional Arts & Culture Council helps take care of it.
Lee P. Brown and Vera Katz, who were mayors of Houston and Portland, were at the dedication ceremony. The memorial is often used as a meeting point for groups. It is also featured in guides about public art and walking tours. There are 75 smaller bronze copies of the sculpture. Dente planned to send parts of the original mold to the owners of these copies once they were all sold.
About the Sculpture: The Dream's Meaning
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The Dream is an 8-foot (2.4 m) bronze statue of Martin Luther King Jr.. It is located where Northeast Holladay Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard meet. This spot is outside the northeast part of the Oregon Convention Center in Portland's Lloyd District.
King is shown stepping forward, looking determined to share his powerful message. Around him are three figures that represent different ideas:
- Behind King and to his right is a young white man with his sleeves rolled up. He stands for the working people of America.
- Directly behind King is a woman walking out of the water. She represents the history of immigration in the country.
- Behind King and to his left is a young girl. She is shown letting go of King's coat. She represents "respect between generations."
The artist, Dente, explained that the working man "has decided to step forward to show his support for the message of equality, freedom, and justice for everyone." Dente said the girl letting go of King's coat shows a "letting go" process. This happens when family members give their energy and time to a cause that is very important to people worldwide.
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The artist dedicated this monument to King's sacrifices. He also dedicated it to those who believe in King's message and to the "ongoing fight for truth and justice." Businesses and groups that gave $10,000 or more to the project are recognized at the statue.
Some of the groups that helped fund the project include:
- ARCO
- Chevron Corporation
- Fred Meyer
- The Greenbrier Companies/Gunderson, Inc.
- International Art Group
- Kaiser Permanente
- Legacy Emanuel Medical Center
- Meier & Frank
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Oregon Labor Unions AFL–CIO
- Oregon Lottery
- Portland Development Commission
- Portland Trail Blazers
- RH Parker/United Foundation
- US West
- The William G. Gilmore Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
The sculpture is part of the City of Portland and Multnomah County Public Art Collection. The Regional Arts & Culture Council helps manage it. As mentioned, 75 bronze copies of the sculpture exist. Once these copies were bought, Dente planned to send parts of the original mold to their owners.
The Story Behind The Dream Sculpture
Paul Knauls, a local business owner, was very important in getting money for the sculpture's design. He was known as the "unofficial mayor" of Northeast Portland. Cheryl Perrin and Betsy Brumm helped organize the fundraising. Charles Lewis also helped.
Before Lewis invited U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield to speak at a breakfast fundraiser, efforts to raise money had stopped for eight years. Senator Hatfield had been Lewis's intern. Oregon's lawmakers wrote letters to big companies asking for their support at the breakfast. Within six months of restarting the campaign, $300,000 was raised. This was enough money to create the sculpture.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Statue Foundation officially dedicated The Dream on August 28, 1998. This was the 35th anniversary of King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Harry Belafonte and many lawmakers also helped dedicate the statue.
John Jenkins, who was the chairman of the foundation, made a statement about the statue and its dedication:
Our dream began in the hearts of the students at Martin Luther King Jr., Elementary School nearly ten years ago. The dream was nurtured by the late state Senator Bill McCoy, and through the donations of Oregonians and some of our state's most respected businesses; we will have an original work of art honoring the memory and ideals of one of America's greatest leaders.
Jeff Blosser, the general manager of the Oregon Convention Center, said: "It is an honor for the Oregon Convention Center as well as our city, to have this significant sculpture placed here. It will be a very visible symbol for Oregonians, as well as the thousands of visitors who come to our state each year."
Many people attended the dedication ceremony. These included:
- Local educator Laverne Davis, who was the "Mistress of Ceremonies"
- Lee P. Brown, Mayor of Houston
- Vera Katz, Mayor of Portland
- Mike Burton from the regional government Metro
- Charles Jordan, director of Portland Parks & Recreation
- Bishop A. A. Wells
- The artist, Dente
Music for the event was provided by the Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School Choir, Ada Tillis, and the Accelerated Music Group.
In 2014, Paul Knauls told Oregon Public Broadcasting that he considers this project one of his proudest achievements. He said it was a huge effort. He also mentioned that "it's still surprising how many people don't even know the statue is there."
The Sculpture as a Gathering Place
The memorial has often been used as a place for people to gather.
- In 2007, Charles Lewis announced he was running for Portland City Commissioner near the memorial.
- In 2008, a march honoring King started at the statue.
- In 2014, the sculpture was the first stop on a "Housing History Tour" of Portland. This tour was sponsored by the Fair Housing Council of Oregon, the Portland Human Rights Commission, and Race Talks.
The sculpture has also been included in public art guides and walking tours around the city.
