---
title: Sculpture Celebrating David Driskell Unveiled
date: 2024-04-05T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/sculpture-celebrating-david-driskell-unveiled"
section: Articles
---
# Sculpture Celebrating David Driskell Unveiled

*April 5, 2024* — by [Maggie Haslam](/author/maggie-haslam)


> Noted African American Artist’s 20-Foot-Tall Work Stands Outside Center Named for Late Professor, Artist, Scholar

*Driskell Center Statue Unveiling 04042024 DS 5077 1920x1080 — David Driskell's daughters and past and present Driskell Center staff pose on Thursday with sculptor Melvin Edwards in front of the newly unveiled artwork: From left, Director Jordana Saggese, Daviryne McNeill, Edwards, Daphne Coles, former Deputy Director Dorit Yaron and former Director Curlee Holton.*

A University of Maryland center that has long celebrated African American art inside its walls has now expanded outdoors, with the unveiling Thursday of a massive abstract sculpture of stainless steel disks, buttressed by curved legs and encumbered with a massive chain.

“David’s Dream,” a new composition by contemporary artist Melvin Edwards, was dedicated in front of the [David C. Driskell Center](https://driskellcenter.umd.edu/) to an audience of campus administrators, faculty, staff and friends. Standing over 20 feet tall, it commemorates the late Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, groundbreaking artist and center namesake, and his mission to highlight the rich legacy of African American artists.

“There are few sculptures by African American artists on public university campuses in the United States,” said center Director and Professor Jordana Saggese. “I’m so pleased to honor Mel’s contribution to the Driskell Center and the University of Maryland campus and grateful to gather in celebration of the power of creativity in shaping our cultural landscape.”

The prominently located sculpture was funded by a $790,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, bolstering UMD’s commitment to advance Driskell’s work by providing a home for African American art, artists and scholars.

“Upon the completion of the Purple Line, one of the first things people will see when they arrive on campus is this sculpture,” Craig Kier, director of UMD’s [Arts for All](https://arts.umd.edu/) initiative, referencing the state’s light-rail line now under construction. “It creates a stunning welcoming point to the University of Maryland and will highlight the important work happening at the Driskell Center.”



*man speaks at podium — The artist Edwards speaks at Thursday's unveiling event.*




**Topics:** [Arts & Culture](https://today.umd.edu/tags/arts-culture)


**Tags:** [Arts](https://today.umd.edu/topic/arts)


**Units:** [College of Arts and Humanities](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-arts-and-humanities)