By Hailey Stangebye

Nearly 50 years ago in 1969, Martin Luther King Sr. cut the ribbon and revealed the first public library named in honor of his son and civil rights icon, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Today, we know that library as the MLK branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

On the eve of the 50th anniversary of that momentous occasion, the MLK branch will move to a new and improved facility.

To commemorate the new location, the oldest son of Martin Luther King Jr., Martin Luther King III, will dedicate the library to his father — just as his grandfather dedicated the original library to his son 50 years prior.

The dedication and grand opening will take place on Thursday, Oct. 18 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the new location on 1467 E. Long St. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony, as well as dedication remarks from Martin Luther King III.  

In addition to the grand opening festivities on Thursday, the new MLK library will also host a community open house on Saturday, Oct. 20 from noon to 3 in the afternoon. There will be entertainment, activities and refreshments, as well as a sign-up for a commemorative library card.

“This new 21st century library represents a reinvestment in the Near East Side community,” Patrick Losinski, Columbus Metropolitan Library CEO, says. “We’re so excited to cut the ribbon, open the doors and continue Dr. King’s legacy of promoting equal access and uplifting our communities.”

“This new 21st century library represents a reinvestment in the Near East Side community. We’re so excited to cut the ribbon, open the doors and continue Dr. King’s legacy of promoting equal access and uplifting our communities.”

This new MLK branch will be more than double the size of the previous space, spanning approximately 18,000 square feet. The amenities will include: an interactive children’s area, a Ready for Kindergarten area, a Teen area, a Homework Help Center (where students can access free after-school resources), meeting rooms, an elevated reading loft and, of course, a breathtaking collection of books.

For more information on the dedication, grand opening, community open house or the library in general, click here.

By Hailey Stangebye

Photos by Kenny W.

Every person became an artist at the Harlem Renaissance Children’s Mural Event on Saturday, August 25. 

Maybe it’s more accurate to say that each passerby discovered an inner artist who was present all along. With a little inspiration, paint and opportunity, the community brought an image of Martin Luther King Jr. to life.

Harlem Renaissance Children’s Mural Event from Warhol and WALL ST. on Vimeo.

Children and parents alike picked up paint brushes to contribute to a larger-than-life portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. By the end of the morning, the painting was complete.

The initial sketch, which was used as a guideline for the painters, was created by local artist Marshall Shorts.

In addition to the mural, children also had the opportunity to color in specially-made coloring books. Each page introduced one of the heroes of the Harlem Renaissance.

The completed mural will remain on display at the the MLK library branch. Not only does it honor Martin Luther King Jr., it also serves as a reminder of this moment in time when the community came together to create something beautiful.

Follow us at @CbusHarlem100 for information on upcoming events!

PACT, CULYP and the Harlem Renaissance team have joined forces to orchestrate a series of community events that bring attention to the wealth of talent and opportunities in the historic King-Lincoln district. From community conversations to block parties and arts fest, this community-wide celebration will leave a lasting impact and paint a picture of the future of the King-Lincoln district.

Details

Thursday, August 23:

The MPACC Box Park Gallery is hosting “The Journey: Columbus to Harlem Gallery Exhibition.” This exhibition is a reflection on our team’s recent trip to Harlem, New York. Near the end of July, we took five incredibly talented artists from Columbus to Harlem to share our history, make connections and tell a story.

This is your chance to see the debut of our takeaways from that journey. Experience Harlem through the eyes of Samara Tillman, Lori Lindsey, Percy King, Tripp Fontane and Jay Swifa.

This exhibition is the perfect introduction to our multipart documentary series that follows the journey of each artist. For more information and to RSVP, go to our Facebook event.

Saturday, August 25  |  11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

The MLK Library will host an unforgettable mural-making experience. The community will join local artist, Marshall Shorts, to paint a picture that honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. It’s a collective art experience. 

Moreover, this family-friendly event will have free, specially-made coloring books for all of the children attending. Each book introduces some of the heroes of the Harlem Renaissance.

For more information and to RSVP, visit our Facebook event.

Saturday, August 25  |  5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Join us for the Harlem Renaissance Everyday People Block Party. This is an all-encompassing community experience. 

There will be food trucks, games, murals and art from Columbus-based, black artists. It’s a full-blow arts festival that culminates in a block party featuring live music, poetry and more.

For more information and to RSVP, visit our Facebook event.