A.L. DAVIS PARK, NEW ORLEANS

I use a lot of vibrant colors. My hope is always that if people don’t relate to my art or they don’t like the theme or the imagery, that they still walk away with a better feeling in their gut. So I try to use color in that way. —Ivan B. Watkins

Pastor of New Zion Baptist Church for 43 years Rev. A.L Davis was also the first vice president of the Southern Christian Leadership and was instrumental in the establishment of the Orleans Parish Progressive Voters League. In 1975 Davis became the first Black city council member of New Orleans, and a year after his death from pancreatic cancer in 1978 Shakspeare (not named after Shakespeare) Park was renamed A.L. Davis Park. Internationally recognized artist, filmmaker, and ethno-historian Ivan Watkins created this composition rich with cultural and historic significance to the 5-acre Central City park and surrounding neighborhood.