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Work on the mural is expected to begin June 11, with installation taking place on the north-facing train bridge wall adjacent to MLK Park and across from the Martin Luther King Jr. Interpretive Center. Weather permitting, the mural is expected to be completed by June 17.
The project is a partnership between Friends of MLK, Quad City Arts and the Downtown Davenport Partnership and is intended to honor the resilience, entrepreneurship, entertainment, labor and community life of Black Davenport during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The project is supported in part by an Arts Project Grant through the Iowa Arts Council and Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Bayoc, a St. Louis-based artist whose work can be found in schools, universities, hospitals and public spaces across the country, was selected following a multi-phase review process. More
than 40 artists submitted qualifications for consideration. A review committee representing Friends of MLK, Quad City Arts, and the Downtown Davenport Partnership selected three finalists, who received stipends to develop site-specific concepts informed by historical research and conversations with community leaders. Final concepts were then reviewed by the selection committee and additional project advisors.
The selection committee considered artist qualifications, historical alignment, artistic merit, feasibility and community feedback before making its final recommendation, with a particular emphasis on the project’s educational and storytelling goals.
“When we began this project, we weren’t looking for a mural that simply celebrated history. We were looking for a mural that could help people discover it. This site was once home to Black-owned businesses, restaurants, entertainment venues and gathering spaces that played an important role in the story of Black Davenport,” said Ryan Saddler, Executive Director of the Friends of MLK. “What stood out about Cbabi’s design was his ability to weave so many of those stories together into a single piece of artwork. The mural invites people to slow down, ask questions and engage with a chapter of Davenport’s history that is not widely known today.”
The selected mural combines historical imagery and references drawn from the area’s past into a layered visual narrative that encourages exploration and reflection. Committee members noted that the concept stood out for its ability to weave together multiple stories while creating opportunities for future educational programming connected to the site.
Positioned just outside the MLK Interpretive Center, the mural will serve as a powerful visual extension of the Center’s mission, bringing stories of Black Davenport into the public realm and creating new opportunities for reflection, conversation and learning.
“Each finalist brought a unique artistic vision to the project and we are grateful for the creativity and thoughtfulness they brought to the process,” said Ben Gougeon, Director of Community Engagement, Quad City Arts. “The selected design distinguished itself through the breadth of historical references it incorporates and its ability to transform a public space into an opportunity
for discovery. This is a mural that will continue revealing new details and stories over time.”
Bayoc has spent more than three decades developing his artistic practice and is known for creating work that explores history, identity, family and community. His public art projects can be found throughout the United States and he is also a New York Times bestselling illustrator. Friends of MLK and project partners plan to host a public dedication ceremony following the completion of the mural. Additional details will be announced at a later date.
About Friends of MLK
Friends of MLK is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and encouraging the Quad City community to practice the civil and human rights for all races, colors and creeds as exemplified by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through educational programming, community engagement and the Martin Luther King Jr. Interpretive Center, Friends of MLK works to preserve history, inspire dialogue and advance Dr. King’s legacy throughout the region.
About Quad City Arts
Quad City Arts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Quad City region through the arts. Serving eastern Iowa and western Illinois since 1970, the organization presents, develops and celebrates the arts through public art initiatives, arts education programs, exhibitions, grants and community partnerships that connect people to creative experiences throughout the region