Sandy Springs To Host Inaugural MLK Jr. Art, Film Festival

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Mark your calendar and plan to attend the City of Sandy Springs' annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. scheduled for 1-4 p.m. on Jan. 20 at City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs. Now in its 14th year, this MLK Day event will celebrate the spirit of Dr. King by introducing the city's inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Day Art and Film Festival. This family-friendly event will feature interactive art projects and a film designed to celebrate, educate, and share the teachings of King.

"City Springs has quickly become a central meeting place for the community, and we are delighted to utilize the versatility of the facility to expand our programming in honor of the late Dr. King, incorporating entertainment and education to engage the community," Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said.

Collaborating with DiasporaU and the Bronze Lens Film Festival, this inaugural event is designed to engage children and their families with hands-on craft projects. It will present two screenings for the Emmy-nominated animated family film, "Our Friend Martin."

Busy hands will open minds – the activity stations include:

• Reading is FUNdamental – Children are invited to listen to the reading of "My Brother Martin," written by his sister Christine King Farris.
• Mark the Book! – Each child will decorate a bookmark and select a quote from King to be added to the piece.
• Stamp Yourself! – Children will learn about commemorative stamps and make one of themselves.
• Puzzle Me – An opportunity for children to complete a puzzle about King.
• It's About Time – Children will learn about the important dates in King's life and learn how to create a timeline.
• Create a Peace Sign – Each child will create a "rubbing" of a "peace" sign as they learn about King's belief in peace and justice.
• The King Childhood Home – Using an image of King's boyhood home, children are introduced to the concept of "Historic Registry."
• "I Have a Dream" – Children will listen to King's "I Have a Dream" speech, and will talk about the address and their dreams.
• Mural – Each child can paint a part of a mural in dedication to the memory of King's life.

Children who complete the learning stations will receive a copy of the book, "My Brother Martin" by Christine King Farris, while supplies last.

"Our Friend, Martin," is an animated children's educational film about Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement. The film follows two friends in middle school who travel through time, meeting King at several points during his life. It featured an all-star voice cast and was nominated for an Emmy award in 1999 for Outstanding Animated Program. There will be two screenings of the movie in the Studio Theatre: 1:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.

This event is free and open to the community. While there are set times for the film's showings, the children's activities are available throughout the event. Parking in the City Springs deck is complimentary, and snacks and beverages will be available for purchase in CityBar.

For more information about the event visit //spr.gs/mlk. For more information about the City of Sandy Springs, visit online at www.sandyspringsga.gov or call the Citizen Response Center at 770-730-5600. Follow community news on Facebook and breaking news and traffic alerts on Twitter @SandySpringsGA.