CFA 19/JUN/08-1

Location

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial
Independence Avenue, SW at the northwestern rim of the Tidal Basin
United States

Owner
National Park Service
Property
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial
Description
Revised sculpture
Previous Review

Letter

Dear Mr. Lawler:

In its meeting of 19 June, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed the revised concept for the central sculpture at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial at Independence Avenue, SW along the Tidal Basin. The Commission members expressed general satisfaction with the progress to date of the sculpture of Dr. King. They reiterated the importance of this sculpture due to its centrality and large scale, and they encouraged careful attention to the refinement of the design as it moves toward execution and installation.

To assist in its further review of the sculpture, the Commission requested the submission of a maquette, in plaster or bronze, incorporating all of the adjustments that have been made to the sculpture and the Stone of Hope. The Commission also requested a sample of a part of the statue in the proposed granite showing the variety of surface finishes in order to facilitate review of the tactile quality and surface modeling of the completed work.

The Commission members expressed appreciation for the responsiveness to their previous comments; they requested an updated submission encompassing the entire project as the various outstanding design issues are resolved. As always, the staff is available to assist you with the next submission.

Sincerely,

/s/Thomas E. Luebke, AIA
Secretary

Joseph M. Lawler, Regional Director
National Park Service, National Capital Region
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20242

cc: Peter May, National Park Service
Ed Jackson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Foundation, Inc.