Historic pictures of Martin Luther King Jr. showcased in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - "I was taught that I was shooting for posterity because everything that I shot was historical."

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

"I went down to shoot the pictures and I placed myself in a very good position, very close to him, as you can see. I even went under the scaffolding where he was sitting and I talked to him for a second just ask him to turn around for a portrait."

The assignment was from an Italian magazine based in Milan, but now no longer in print, which only used two photos out of ten rolls of film he shot. Visalli said the negatives were considered lost for over 50 years until the images resurfaced three years ago.

In celebration of the MLK Federal Holiday and Black History Month in February, the "Capturing and Recapturing a Day in the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Exhibit" features a curated selection from Visalli and is on display at the Community Arts Workshop on Garden Street in Santa Barbara for the first time.

Visalli says he knew future generations would benefit from these photos.

"It's a great joy to see these kids asking questions and they ask good questions and important questions."

The exhibit is free to the public and the proceeds from the sales of the photos in the exhibition will be donated to Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara and the Community Arts Workshop.

The exhibit will be on display through Sunday, February 4th. The exhibit is open by appointment and to the public on Fridays from 10am - 6pm.