The sculptors were selected after a national “Call for Artists” search by the committee, which was facilitated by the Texas Commission on the Arts. The Varillas will be paid $275,000. Funds remaining from the collection of the student fee will go toward a scholarship fund bearing King’s name.
“We hope our sculpture of Dr. King promotes the idea of universality, inclusion and a belief in our interdependent common destiny,” said Anna Koh-Varilla. “If Dr. King were alive today,” added her husband, Jeffrey Varilla, “he would be working actively to not only help solve the challenges that this University and others like it face as they strive for equity and diversity, but also to address problems in the rest of society.”
Note to editors: This is the first of a series of news releases on the MLK statue celebration. News releases on the Sept. 24 celebration march and another on related exhibits will follow.
