Daisy Gatson Bates honored with sculpture in downtown Little Rock

Arkansas Times

By Mary Hennigan

Daisy Gatson Bates, who was a mentor to the Little Rock Nine, a civil rights activist, a former Arkansas NAACP president and a pioneering Black journalist, is now commemorated with a bronze bust along the banks of the Arkansas River. 

At-large Director Dean Kumpuris, a longtime advocate for the development of Little Rock’s riverfront, has worked to add yet another art piece to the River Market Sculpture Garden. Joining 90 other artworks, the Bates sculpture also includes a backing wall made of natural blue stones that represent the river. 

LEGACY: Daisy Bates was a significant player in Arkansas civil rights. | Photo by Brian Chilson

The sculpture was done by Jane DeDecker of Colorado.

Along with the new sculpture, Bates’ legacy is also celebrated at the Daisy Bates Museum, her former home and now National Historic Landmark — also in Little Rock. The third Monday in February is recognized as “Daisy Gatson Bates Day” in Arkansas, and various streets in the state are named after her.

The city of Little Rock announced the sculpture Tuesday, and Kumpuris said, “I can think of no more fitting addition to the more than 90 artworks in the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden than one honoring Daisy Bates, whose contributions to Little Rock through activism and journalism are still with us today.”

BACKING WALL: Blue stones represent the Arkansas River. | Photo by Brian Chilson

Below the bust, a plaque reads “When hate won’t die, use it for good.”

The work was donated by the nonprofit group Sculpture at the River Market, and the Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department installed it.

Leland Couch, the director of the parks department, echoed compliments of Bates. He said that it is a “distinct privilege” to honor someone who “fought so hard to make Little Rock a city for everyone.”

The Bates sculpture is near the Main Street overpass on the Eastern side of the art garden.