'Artivist' Nikkolas Smith Talks About the Newly Finished Legacy Tower in Downtown Disney

Artist and activist Nikkolas Smith recently provided a deeper look at the inspiration behind the new Legacy Tower in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney with an interview at the LA Times.

‘Artivist’ Nikkolas Smith and Downtown Disney’s Legacy Tower

Nikkolas Smith, self-proclaimed “artivist” – combining his passions for art and activism – first announced the Legacy Tower in October 2023. The tower is newly completed and situated near the monorail station. Smith was an Imagineer for Disney until 2019 and was heavily involved in the evolution of Avengers Campus, envisioning the facade of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!, and contributed to a small promenade stage in Pixar Pier.

The tower’s patterns and lattice work are a nod to famous Black architects James H. Garrott, Robert A. Kennard, Roy A. Sealey, Ralph A. Vaughn, and Paul Revere Williams. All were active in Los Angeles.

The base of the structure has a looping opening meant to signify a half-open doorway, symbolizing perseverance, Smith says. “They made it through, despite all of the obstacles they had to go through.” He noted that Black architects had to learn how to read drawings upside down because they weren’t allowed to sit next to white clients, and they also endured unequal pay.

There is a sign near the tower that reads: “This soaring sculptural tower, entitled ‘Legacy,’ celebrates the contributions of pioneering Black Architects in Southern California during the middle 20th century.”

When the project was announced, Smith said: “A long-time inspiration of mine has been the trailblazing Black architects of Southern California during the mid-20th century. I designed this tower to be a commemoration of their enduring legacy and a beacon of hope for humanity’s interconnected future. My hope is that this landmark inspires future generations of designers like me.”

Nikkolas Smith's artwork of Martin Luther King Jr. in a hoodie.

Smith is most known for his famous work depicting Martin Luther King Jr. in a hoodie that went viral in 2013. It evokes the image of the slain 17-year-old, Trayvon Martin. Smith has also written books for children and was recently honored during Disneyland’s Celebrate Soulfully.

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