The groundbreaking ceremony for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sculpture Garden was held on Monday, January 16, 2023 from 2:00 to 3:30 pm in front of the Marina Library. There was a free hot meal featuring some of Dr. King’s favorite foods.

Thanks to donations from the Marina community, the bust and marble panels were restored by the original artist Barrington C. McClean and will now be installed in a landscaped sculpture garden. Completion of the garden is planned for August 2023.

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sculpture Project

The Marina Foundation accepted donations to support the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sculpture Project. The funds went towards the restoration and placement of a bust of Dr. King that was donated to the city in 2002. The bust was originally placed near 8 other sculptures at the Marina Municipal Airport. In 2009 the sculptures were relocated, and the bust was put into storage. 

The Marina community speaks 51 languages and dialects and is the seventh most diverse city of its size in the United States. TMF embraces the diversity of people, languages, and cultures in Marina. The Dr. King sculpture reflects this communal spirit.

Highlights & Impact
■ The artist is Barrington McClean who teaches in Santa Cruz.
■ The sculpture was donated to the City of Marina in 2002 by Leonard and Carrie Paige, dedicated in a ceremony by Mayor Jim Perrine, and formally placed at the “Sculpture Habitat” at the Marina Municipal Airport.
■ The statue is a stylized bust of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that stands approximately 4’ tall. It comes with four granite plaques, approximately 4’ by 21” each, that display quotations from his speeches.
Originally, the sculptured head was placed on top of a square foundation surrounded by the granite plaques in a reflecting pool.
■ TMF provided funds for Barrington McClean to do the restoration.

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Name of Sculpture:  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Artist:  Barrington McClean, who teaches in Santa Cruz.

Donated by:  Leonard and Carrie Paige in 2002

Background:  This sculpture was donated to the City of Marina in 2002 by Leonard and Carrie Paige, dedicated in a ceremony by Mayor Jim Perrine, and formally sited at the Sculpture Center.

Description:  Stylized bust of the Reverend, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that stands approximately 4’ tall on its own.  It comes with 4 granite plaques, approximately 4’ by 21” each, with quotations from his speeches.  Originally sculptured head was placed on top of square foundation surrounded by granite plaques in a reflecting pool.