Sculptor selected for King statue at Georgia Capitol

Georgia officials have selected a Henry County-based sculptor to create a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. for the Georgia Capitol grounds.

Andy Davis, who started his full-time career as a sculptor in 1999, will create the statue. Once finished, the statue will stand on the northeast quadrant of the Capitol grounds overlooking Liberty Plaza.

The statue was authorized as partHouse Bill 1080, which was passed during the 2014 legislative session. Gov. Nathan Deal and state Rep. Calvin Smyre, D-Columbus, said today. Deal tapped Smyre earlier this year to head up the effort to erect a sculpture of King.

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. inspired our nation with his dream of hope, peace, justice, and human rights. I am honored to have played a role during the 2014 Legislative Session in passing House Bill 1080, which authorized the placement of a Capitol-grounds statue honoring Dr. King and was signed into law by Gov. Deal,” Smyre said in a news release.

“It is now time for us as a state to make this a reality. Naming Andy Davis as the sculptor is the first step in that process,” Smyre added.“It was important that a Georgia sculptor be chosen for this historic project. I look forward to working with all the stakeholders as we undertake the statue’s design, likeness and private fundraising efforts.”

On the announcement, Deal said: “placing a statue of Dr. King at the Capitol of his home state is a long overdue honor, and selecting an artist is an important step forward in this process.”

Among Davis’ many works are sculptures of music legend Ray Charles and Chick-Fil-A founder Truett Cathy.