Case Study: Unified Civic Monuments Project
The African American History & Literature Gallery created a unified community in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, MI through public art honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Unified Civic Monuments Project established two monuments by artists David Alan Clark and Harold Woodridge honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., commemorating social justice, and fostering a connection between the twin cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. This was a collaborative effort between the African American History & Literature Gallery, Krasl Art Center, and Lake Michigan College, with additional support from the BH/SJ Arts & Culture Social Justice Group, the two cities, and a matching grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Public Spaces Community Places program.
The monuments bookend the Unity Trail, which spans the St. Joseph and Paw Paw Rivers, symbolically uniting the racially segregated communities. The Unity Trail encourages community members to walk together in the fight for justice while traversing the rivers that once divided the two cities.
Completed in 2024, the installations acknowledge the challenges of the past and present for the two communities, each display including elements that represent each city’s distinctive historical significance and civil rights journey. The public art serves to remind community members of what can be accomplished when they come together as they continue to work to eliminate the inequity and injustices that divide us.
“The monuments have provided a perfect space to learn more about the Civil Rights movement and the legacy of Dr. King. In Benton Harbor, my sons like to sit on the seats that are part of the design, and they especially like the boy that is part of the work. He looks like he is about the same age as my oldest, and that is very special. I know that we will enjoy the monuments for years to come.” –Ashley Schulte, local mother of three
Project Details
- Project: Unified Civic Monuments Project
- Project Type: Public Art
- Project Location: Benton Harbor & St. Joseph, MI
- Crowdfunding Raise: $52,701
- Crowdgranting Match: $50,000
- Patrons: 149
- Leveraged Funding: $750,000
- Total Project Estimate: $850,000
About Public Spaces Community Places
Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) is a crowdgranting partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). This initiative provides matching grant funds to eligible projects that improve public spaces in the state of Michigan. Projects can receive a matching grant of up to $50,000 if they reach their crowdfunding goal.
Thriving places help define a community’s economic vitality. From bike trails and pocket parks to public sculpture projects, public spaces contribute to a strong quality of life, help attract and retain talent, and strengthen local economies. Public Spaces Community Places is dedicated to building vibrant communities.
