In celebration of the MLK National Holiday and Black History Month, and in partnership with CAW Gallery and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Santa Barbara Committee, a curated selection of Santi Visalli’s photos from the April 15, 1967 United Nations Anti-War Rally are on display at the Community Arts Workshop’s small gallery room.

The photos tell the story of that day, and the accompanied written descriptions, archival news articles, and video commentary with the artist will connect the journey of the artwork as it was lost and then found.

The exhibit demonstrates Visalli’s philanthropic efforts as he is donating all proceeds from the sales of the 20 images to CAW and Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara.

The exhibit is an invitation to other community organizations who may wish to visit the exhibit as an educational opportunity about the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Small groups of interested friends or classes are welcome.

On April 15, 1967, photojournalist Santi Visalli was given an assignment to photograph Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr as King gave an anti-Vietnam War speech outside the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

King had asked if he could address the U.N. General Assembly, but was turned down. A hastily set up platform for him to speak to the throngs of people who were there; and the anchoring photo of the exhibit sets the scene.

From Stokely Carmichael to William F. Buckley, and Peter Paul and Mary to Native Americans, the event was an assembly of many nations. MLK’s message was painting broader strokes bringing all of the injustices to bear ± civil rights, the environment, war — while gathering new supporters.

More than 125,000 people packed the streets as the General Assembly opened its meeting inside. Visalli took about 10 rolls of film for his employer in Milan, Italy, and as was common at the time, he immediately went to the airport and handed the film to a passenger who served as a courier and delivered the film for publication.

Three weeks later, Visalli asked his employer to return the negatives, only to learn they had been misplaced. Visalli would inquire about these lost images to no avail over the course of half a century – until one day three years ago, he received a phone call from a woman responsible for the photographic archives purchased by Banca Intesa that included the lost images.

Now 92 years old, Visalli described seeing the photos for the first time after 56 years like “finding his long-lost children.”

“Hurray! In life, one should never despair; there is always hope,” he said.

While much of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life work focusing on civil rights is well known, Visalli hopes the images that have resurfaced will also promote, acknowledge, and celebrate MLK’s advocacy for peace.

A Partnership with the Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative & the MLK Santa Barbara Committee

For more, visit  www.sbcaw.org and www.mlksb.org.

For an appointment to see the show, contact Helene Schneider, curator; call 805-453-8550; or e-mail helenedschneider@gmail.com. 
 
To view more of Visalli’s iconic images, visit www.thefinestphotos.com.