Pillars of Hope and Justice

RE:site (Shane Allbritton and Norman Lee)

2023 | Fort Wayne, Indiana

In 2020, Fort Wayne City Council passed a resolution spearheaded to create a public display honoring King’s speech in Fort Wayne on June 5, 1963 on the corner of Ewing Street and West Main Street. The monument was dedicated on the 60th anniversary of Dr. King's speech. Designing Local was engaged to manage the procurement and selected artist through installation. As part of this process, Designing Local facilitated a call for artists, worked with a committee to select finalists, and coordinated the presentation on concepts to the selection committee. The Selection committee selected ReSITE as the final artist. Designing Local worked with the City as well as ReSITE to coordinate the final design documentation, fabrication, installation, and management of the installation.

Designed by Shane Albritton and Norman Lee, “Pillars of Hope and Justice” stands on the corner of Ewing and Main Streets celebrating Dr. King;s visit to Fort Wayne and the words he spoke there on his way to Washington DC for the infamous "I Have a Dream Speech". The monument features the six pillars of nonviolent resistance, evoking both ancient architectural pillars and reeds of papyrus, bringing together ancient and contemporary.