Corey Barksdale of Atlanta is painting a mural of Martin Luther King Jr. in Dublin. He started the project Tuesday, which highlights the city of Dublin and First African Baptist Church. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his first public speech in 1944 at First African Baptist Church.
Barksdale said he loves to paint, but painting this civil rights mural is special. "It has more of a meaning to it," said Barksdale. "It's something that's important to our society."
First African Baptist Church member Julie Driger said it's important to know and preserve Dublin's history. "If you don't know where you come from, then you don't know where you're going," said Driger.
Barksdale says the focal point of the mural is King. The other two faces on the right represent generations today that learn from King. In the background, there's a city that represents our world. On the left, there's a little girl who blows a dandelion and makes a wish. "She's wishing for a better society," said Barksdale. "One where people are loving and respectful of who you are."
The Georgia Department of Economic Development's Tourism gave a $5,000 grant to support the project.
The Director of Tourism with Visit Dublin, GA, Rebecca McWilliam, said they hope the mural will preserve a part of the city's history, and become an interactive space for tourists. “We wanted something that would really speak to people, multi-generations of people for decades to come,” said McWilliam. “What better way to speak to people in their hearts and in their minds then through art.”
The mural at the intersection of Church Street and Telfair Street in Dublin. The artist plans to finish the mural in four or five days.