From Lowe Mill to Winter Park, FL: Huntsville artist’s MLK memorial just unveiled

Back in January, we highlighted local sculptor Andrew Luy and his journey to creating a once-in-a-lifetime memorial of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This week, I returned to Lowe Mill Studio 271 to speak with Andrew, who was beaming with joy after returning from the unveiling of his installation. After over a year of planning, sculpting, casting and installing, Andrew’s vision is now permanently standing in Winter Park, Florida.

Keep reading for more on the unveiling and Andrew’s creative journey.

“The Ripple” installation was unveiled on July 12

Swipe to see multiple aerial views of the memorial. (Photos courtesy of Andrew Luy)

The City of Winter Park commemorated the occasion at Winter Park’s 22nd Annual Unity Heritage Festival with a community gathering, memorial dedication and a reenactment of Dr. King’s “I Had a Dream” speech.

This project was a collaboration between Andrew Luy, the City of Winter Park and the MLK Shady Park Planning Committee. The monument stands in Winter Park’s new “Unity Corner” in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park—a tribute to Dr. King’s legacy and the history of the city’s Black community.

Andrew was selected out of over 1,000 applicants by the City of Winter Park, Florida, to bring to life his design concept. Throughout the design process, he consulted with members of the MLK Committee.

Features of the installation include:

• 9-foot-tall bronze sculpture of Dr. King
• Benches that “ripple” from the center
• Granite engraved with quotes from Dr. King and names of Winter Park’s Black residents displaced in the 1950s
• Beautiful landscaping circling the memorial

“The best day of my life:” Andrew’s reflection on the weekend

Andrew is extremely humble—you wouldn’t know he had years of experience on Wall Street or an esteemed memorial with his artist credit on it.

I was thrilled to hear him recap this momentous occasion, just a day after he arrived back in Huntsville. Andrew had the honor of removing the tarps for a dramatic reveal to the public, which he detailed as a magical moment.

“I hate to talk in absolutes, but it really was the best day of my life. I’ve always said public art is gratifying, but this one was kind of life changing.”

Andrew Luy, sculptor

What made the weekend so rewarding was seeing his promise be fulfilled to the MLK selection committee and speaking with family members of those honored.

“I became friends with all of the committee members, and they’re all appreciative of what I did for their community and their families. I brought them to the site multiple times, and each time was more emotional, because each time it was it was better and more representative of what I promised them at the beginning of this process.

For them to see it to fruition in all of its glory, in everything that I promised them from the beginning—they were just elated.”

Andrew Luy, sculptor

Learn more about Andrew + his process

Andrew spent seven months in his Lowe Mill studio crafting the clay mold inch by inch, and sent the mold to be cast in bronze back in January. He then spent the last several months preparing the monument site while the statue was cast and the granite was engraved.

If you want to learn more about Andrew’s journey from Wall Street to Lowe Mill, his creative process and more, check out the video above.

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