Children honor King's legacy with artistic creations at MLK Peace & Art Walk

What does the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. look like through the eyes of children? An artistic explosion of color and creativity that shows his messages of love, peace and justice ring true decades after his assassination.

S.C.R.A.P. (Student Creative Recycle Art Program) Gallery, which encourages children to create art through recycled materials, and the City of Cathedral City joined forces Saturday to honor King's life and legacy through the MLK Peace & Art Walk ahead of Monday's federal holiday. This year marks 60 years since King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the 1963 March on Washington. He was slain five years later.

About 200 pieces of art that reflected all that he worked toward during the civil rights movement were displayed in an outdoor exhibit on historic Chuperosa Lane. Local students from elementary to high schools drew portraits of the leader and featured some of his well-known quotes, such as "The time is always right to do right" from his 1967 speech "The Other America." Drawn handprints also shared messages such as "It's cool to be kind," "show love" and "be polite." Colorful paper plates with peace signs drawn on them were strung up and swayed as a gentle breeze passed through the area.

Participating artists included students from Bella Vista Elementary, Sunny Sands Elementary, Nellie N. Coffman Middle, Cathedral City High, Mt. San Jacinto High and Palm Springs High schools; the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City; and schools in Ohio and Massachusetts. Peace Pals International also featured artwork created by children around the world as part of the Ambassador of Peace collection.

Karen Riley, executive director of S.C.R.A.P Gallery, said it was the first time the MLK Peace & Art Walk has taken place in person, previously being held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was important to bring the community together to showcase King's lasting legacy, she said, because she believes it tends to "get lost with the holiday."

"I really want kids and people to just really think about the words and the actions and realize it's not just for one day," she said.

Among people who strolled through the outdoor gallery was Hemet resident April Gardner. She said she learned of the event on Facebook and, wanting to enjoy artwork that celebrated a man who affected society greatly, decided to check it out.

As she walked around the booths and took in students' work that praised King's fight for justice and equality, she was touched to see how much his words continue to influence children to this day.

"It's bringing up the culture of accepting and having a nonjudgmental attitude toward other people and their lifestyles," Gardner said.

Those messages are important to the City of Cathedral City which, as of September, was designated as an International City of Peace, said Mayor Rita Lamb. As she made remarks to the group gathered at the MLK Peace & Art Walk, she encouraged them all to do what they can each day to create a peaceful environment.

"If you can take in a trash bin for a neighbor, call a family member or friend that you have been meaning to call and just haven't, that would be lovely," Lamb said. "Every bit that we can do to increase empathy and respect the humanity for one another is what we're all about."

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Cathedral City honors King's legacy with MLK Peace & Art Walk