City of Lake Charles, Louisiana

For Immediate Release: May 10, 2011

For Further Information Contact: Denise Fasske, City of Lake Charles

Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center 337-491-9159

Muhammad Ali: The Making of an Icon on Exhibit

The City of Lake Charles will host a nationally toured exhibition entitled Muhammad Ali: The Making of an Icon, managed by Art 2 Art Circulating Exhibitions, Scarsdale, NY. The public is invited to the opening reception Friday, June 10 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the 1911 Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center at 1001 Ryan Street. There is no charge to attend, all ages are welcome and refreshments will be served.

Born in 1942, Cassius Marcellus Clay began boxing in 1954 after his bicycle was stolen in his hometown of Louisville. He wanted to learn the sport in order to beat up the culprit when he found him. Although he never figured out who took the bike, ten years later Clay would win the 1960 Olympic gold medal for light-heavyweight boxing at the at age 18. He changed his name to Muhammad Ali in 1964. He retained much of the popularity and goodwill he had developed through his Olympic victory.

Muhammad Ali: The Making of an Icon represents a comprehensive cross-section of Ali's life and times. The exhibit gives viewers the chance to glimpse into rarely seen moments of his personal life as well as more famous episodes from his career. He is shown kissing and holding his mother Odessa, playing around with his father Cassius Sr., and hanging out with his brother Rudy. Boxing fans will take pleasure in a series of ring-side action shots including those documenting the famous bout between Mr. Ali and George Foreman in 1974 when he used the rope-a-dope tactic to win the heavyweight championship title for the second time, and the "Thrilla in Manila" victory against Joe Frazier in 1975. There is also a section of photos pertaining to his life in retirement including carrying the torch to ignite the caldron at the opening of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. This distinctive exhibition features photographs by Annie Leibovitz, Gordon Parks, Steve Schapiro, Thomas Hoepker, Art Shay, and Sonia Katchian among others.

Although his braggadocio and vanity got on some people's nerves, the overall sense was that Clay was a good kid who valued family and community and was using boxing to earn a share of the American Dream. In the mid 1980s he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Today Muhammad Ali stands as a beloved icon, corporate pitchman, humanitarian, and historical figure. It is no wonder he is called "The Greatest."

Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center is owned and operated by the City of Lake Charles. The galleries are open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted. For more information, please call 337-491-9147 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com.

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