Martin Luther King Jr. exhibit to open

NEW HAVEN, CONN. (WTNH) -- A one of a kind photo exhibit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will soon be open to the public in New Haven.

The "Countdown to Eternity" exhibition chronicles the final year of Dr. King's life in images captured by the late photographer Benjamin Fernandez.

"The fact that it's here in this neighborhood, in this community, at this time, I think this exhibit is a vivid reminder of the struggle that was," said Clifton Graves, of New Haven, "the struggle that is and the struggle that continues in many ways."

The exhibit is a behind the scene look at a man who shaped American history.

We see Dr. King in solitary moments sharing joyful times with wife Coretta and their children.

There is also King the civil rights icon, delivering speeches and conferring with world leaders.

One of the most incredible aspects of the exhibit is the fact that none of the incredible photographs have been made public until now.

The collection will soon be showcased at the Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology at New Haven's Science Park, which is expected to open in the middle of next month.

"These are not photos that people have seen in magazines or in books," said Carlton Highsmith, ConnCAT Board President, "these are unpublished photos."

The exhibit also features some of Dr. King's most memorable quotes, and the nationwide mourning that took place following his assassination in 1968.

"The motivation and the movement lives on...through this place here for such a time that Martin Luther King, that his dream can be realized," said Eric Clemons, ConnCAT Executive Director.

If a picture does truly say a thousand words it's hard to imagine how much impact the "Countdown to Eternity" has the potential to have.

The exhibit will be open to the public and will coincide with the opening of the Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology.