Created by nationally recognized artist Cbabi Bayoc the mural explores the history of Black Davenport

Friends of MLK, Quad City Arts and the Downtown Davenport Partnership today celebrated the completion of the MLK Park Mural Project with a public dedication ceremony adjacent to the Martin Luther King Jr. Interpretive Center in Downtown Davenport.

Created by nationally recognized artist and muralist Cbabi Bayoc, the mural explores the history of Black Davenport during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries through a layered visual narrative inspired by the people, businesses, gathering places and experiences that helped shape the community.

Located directly outside the Martin Luther King Jr. Interpretive Center, the mural serves as a visual extension of the Center's mission, bringing local history into the public realm and creating new opportunities for reflection, conversation and learning. As a permanent public art piece, the mural contributes to the cultural landscape of Downtown Davenport, creating a lasting community asset that celebrates local history while strengthening a sense of place.

"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," said Ryan Saddler, Executive Director of Friends of MLK. "This artwork invites people to slow down, ask questions and engage with stories that have long been overlooked. We hope it becomes a starting point for deeper conversations about the people and places that helped shape Davenport."

Bayoc is an internationally recognized visual artist, muralist and New York Times bestselling illustrator based in St. Louis, Missouri. For more than three decades, he has used art to explore themes of history, identity, family and community. His work can be found in schools, universities, hospitals and public spaces throughout the United States and has been commissioned by organizations and institutions including The Smithsonian Institution, Target, Coca-Cola, Hydro Flask and The Gateway Arch Park Foundation.

Known for his bold use of color and storytelling, Bayoc's artistic practice is rooted in challenging assumptions and creating opportunities for dialogue through public art.

Saddler shared, "My hope is that families and individuals will walk away and do their own discovery or ask us a question, so that we can all become educated on our own history. Whether you're a citizen or visitor, you see this mural and become curious about the history that resides here in Davenport."

"This is the type of artwork that our community needs, that has a story to tell," said Kyle Carter, Executive Director of DDP. "It's the best kind of art to produce in public spaces."

"Public art has the unique ability to connect people to the stories of a place in a way that feels immediate and personal," said Ben Gougeon, Director of Community Engagement at Quad City Arts. "This mural creates a new opportunity for residents and visitors to engage with an important chapter of Davenport's history while demonstrating the power of art to inspire curiosity and learning."

The project was developed through a partnership between Friends of MLK, Quad City Arts and the Downtown Davenport Partnership and was supported in part by an Arts Project Grant through the Iowa Arts Council and Iowa Economic Development Authority.

Saddler concluded, "We're interested in partnerships to make sure these stores are told, to make sure the history is known."

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.