Category Archives: Gordon Parks Museum

Gordon Parks Self Portrait  “Live Jazz Event” Is March 21: Free and Open To The Public

Gordon Parks: Self Potrait  “Live Jazz Event”

 

Fort Scott, Kan. Friday. March 14, 2024 – Beach Museum of Art Specialist and Musician Nate McClendon will be at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center Theater on Thursday, March 21, 2024, to present his Gordon Parks: Self Portrait in music and narration with a live jazz band. The performance starts at 7:30p.m. and doors open at 7:00p.m. This is a free community event.

 

This performance was inspired by the exhibition Homeward to the Prairie I Come: Photographs by Gordon Parks from the Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University organized by the Beach Museum with support from Art Bridges, a philanthropic organization dedicated to expanding access to American art. This music and narration event is free and open to the public of all ages courtesy of Art Bridges. It is part of the Gordon Parks Convening at the Ellis Fine Arts Center, March 20 – 22, a collaboration with the Beach Museum of Art and the Gordon Parks Museum funded by Art Bridges. The convening will have over twelve museum professionals from across the nation at Fort Scott learning more about Gordon Parks and his works.

 

For information on the Gordon Parks: Self Portrait Live Jazz event, contact Kirk Sharp, executive director, (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850, or at [email protected].

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Portrait of Gordon Parks: An Evening of Interpretive Jazz Event

Beach Museum of Art Specialist and Musician Nate McClendon will be at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center Theater on Thursday, March 21, 2024, to present his portrait of Gordon Parks in music and narration with a jazz band.

The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m.

This performance was inspired by the exhibition Homeward to the Prairie I Come: Photographs by Gordon Parks from the Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University organized by the Beach Museum with support from Art Bridges, a philanthropic organization dedicated to expanding access to American art.\

This music and narration event is free and open to the public of all ages courtesy of Art Bridges. It is part of the Gordon Parks
Convening at the Ellis Fine Arts Center, March 20 – 22, a collaboration with the Beach Museum of Art and the
Gordon Parks Museum funded by Art Bridges. The convening will have over twelve museum professionals from across the nation at Fort Scott learning more about Gordon Parks and his works.

For information on the Portrait of Gordon Parks: Interpretive Jazz event, contact Kirk Sharp, executive director,
620) 223-2700, ext. 5850, or at [email protected].
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Chamber Coffee Hosted by Gordon Parks Museum/Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

Join us for Chamber Coffee!

Thursday, February 15th, 8am

Hosted by the Gordon Parks Museum and the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes at the Gordon Parks Museum

2108 South Horton

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes and the Gordon Parks Museum will be having a combined Chamber Coffee in honor of Black History Month and the Unsung Hero and Black Musician James Reese Europe. The Lowell Milken Center and the Gordon Parks Museum is asking the community to join them at 11:00am on February 15th for a special event which includes a soup lunch, the FSHS Jazz Band, Speaker Lem Sheppard, and a cakewalk! Join us this Thursday for nourishment, not only for your morning caffeine but for your brain as well!
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members

shown below…

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce

231 E. Wall St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

620-223-3566

fortscott.com

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Black History Month Celebration: James Reese Europe

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Announces

a Grant from Humanities Kansas to Celebrate 

Unsung Hero James Reese Europe and Black History Month

 

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes received a $300 grant from Humanities Kansas to celebrate the life and accomplishments of one of the founders of Ragtime and Jazz and a true Unsung Hero – James Reese Europe.  The grant will support a special presentation by Internationally renowned musician and historian Lem Sheppard. Sheppard will present “African American Musicians in Kansas 1860-1920. Particular attention will be paid to music and musicians in historic Fort Scott! Also included are a soup lunch, music by the Fort Scott High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Justin Robinson, and a cakewalk just like 100 years ago! The event will take place at the Ellis Center at FSCC on Thursday, February 15th, at 11:00 am.

 

The event is free, and all are welcome!

 

About Humanities Kansas

Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.

 

About the Lowell Milken Center: The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) that works with students and educators within diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes. The Center also works to educate the local community on its past, present, and future.

 

About the Gordon Parks Museum: The Mission of the Gordon Parks Museum is to honor the life and work of Gordon Parks, an internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician; and to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness, and the role of diversity in our lives.

Celebrating Black History Month: Tribute Panel Exhibit

 

 

Fort Scott, Kan. Jan. 30, 2024 – The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College, will host “Tribute Panel Exhibit” to celebrate Black History Month. This consist of over 100 different posters, photos, and information of the some of the great and important Black innovators and Leaders throughout history. The exhibit also features some inspiring and moving quotes on display each day by different people.

 

The “Quote of the Day” provides a great opportunity to promote educational activities throughout the month to keep black history and diversity at the forefront along with encouraging opportunities to learn more.

 

The free exhibit will be on display throughout each day and evening hours from February 1 – 22, 2024 in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.

 

For more information about “Black History Month Tribute Panel Exhibit” contact the Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700 ext. 5850, email [email protected] or visit http:www.gordonparkscenter.org/

 

 

 

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Celebrating Unsung Hero James Reese Europe

James Reese Europe. Submitted photo.

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Announces

a Grant from Humanities Kansas to Celebrate 

Unsung Hero James Reese Europe and Black History Month

 

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung  Heroes received a $300 grant from Humanities Kansas to celebrate the life and accomplishments of one of the founders of Ragtime and Jazz and a true Unsung Hero – James Reese Europe.

The grant will support a special presentation by Internationally renowned musician and historian Lem Sheppard.

Lem Sheppard. Submitted photo.

Sheppard will present “African American Musicians in Kansas 1860-1920. Particular attention will be paid to music and musicians in historic Fort Scott!

Also included are a soup lunch, music by the Fort Scott High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Justin Robinson, and a cakewalk just like 100 years ago!

The event will take place at the Ellis Center at FSCC on Thursday, February 15th, at 11:00 am.

 

The event is free, and all are welcome!

 

About Humanities Kansas

Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit leading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.

 

About the Lowell Milken Center: The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) that works with students and educators within diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes. The Center also works to educate the local community on its past, present, and future.

 

About the Gordon Parks Museum: The Mission of the Gordon Parks Museum is to honor the life and work of Gordon Parks, an internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician; and to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness, and the role of diversity in our lives.

Celebrating The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Gordon Parks Museum…..

Celebrating The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

All events will be held at the Ellis Fine Arts Center (2108 S. Horton St., Fort Scott, Ks.)

Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – “Day of Service: Canned Food Drive” – Join us as we will collect

canned and non-perishable food items to donate to the Beacon in Fort Scott. Anyone in

the community is invited to drop off canned and non-perishable food.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – “Celebration Soup Lunch” – Come and join us for free soup

followed by a music celebration performance at 1:00 p.m. Soup, drinks and dessert

provided by Great Western Dining. Photo Promotion taken with the “I Stand For Signs”

provided by the Lowell Milken Center. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Lobby. FREE.

1:00 p.m. – “Celebrating Every Voice” An afternoon of celebration with great gospel

hymns and inspirational music. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Theatre. FREE.

For more information, please call 620.223.2700 ext. 5850

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on January 17

Celebrating The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

All events will be held at the Ellis Fine Arts Center (2108 S. Horton St., Fort Scott, Ks.)

Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – “Day of Service: Canned Food Drive” – Join us as we will collect

canned and non-perishable food items to donate to the Beacon in Fort Scott. Anyone in

the community is invited to drop off canned and non-perishable food.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – “Celebration Soup Lunch” – Come and join us for free soup

followed by a music celebration performance at 1:00 p.m. Soup, drinks and dessert

provided by Great Western Dining. Photo Promotion taken with the “I Stand For Signs”

provided by the Lowell Milken Center. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Lobby. FREE.

1:00 p.m. – “Celebrating Every Voice” An afternoon of celebration with great gospel

hymns and inspirational music. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Theatre. FREE.

For more information, please call 620.223.2700 ext. 5850

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Rescheduled Due to Forecasted Weather

Fort Scott, Kan. – With inclement weather and severe cold in the forecast for Jan. 15, the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Fort Scott Community College is rescheduled to Wednesday, Jan. 17.

In making the announcement, Kirk Sharp, executive director of the Gordon Parks Museum noted that the “Day of Service” (in honor of King’s birthday) begins with a food drive for the Beacon Food Pantry of Fort Scott.

Canned goods and non-perishable, non-expired items can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the museum, located in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center.

The celebration, with all events open to the community, features a free soup lunch at noon. The lunch, provided by Great Western Dining, includes soup, drink, dessert and birthday cake. The celebration lunch also includes a “I Stand for …” photo promotion, sponsored by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.

An afternoon of celebration and tribute through music, “Celebrating Every Voice,” begins at 1 p.m. in the theater and features choirs from the Apostolic Christian Church and the United Missionary Baptist Church, both of Fort Scott, and blues guitarist Lem Sheppard from Pittsburg. All events are free to attend.

 

For more information, go to https//www.gordonparkscenter.org/events or call the museum at (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850 or email [email protected]

 

 

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Celebrating the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 15

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member

Gordon Parks Museum…..

Celebrating The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

All events will be held at the Ellis Fine Arts Center (2108 S. Horton St., Fort Scott, Ks.)

Monday, January 15th, 2024 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Events

1:00pm-6:00pm – Day of Service: Canned Food Drive – Join us as we will collect canned and non-perishable food items to donate to the Beacon in Fort Scott. Anyone in the community is invited to drop off canned and non-perishable food.

1:00pm-2:00pm – Showing of the PBS home video documentary “In Remembrance of Martin” in the Gordon Parks Museum. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Theatre. This event is free to the public.

2:00pm-3:00pm – Showing of “Martin” – A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Gordon Parks. This is a ballet tribute to Dr. King written and directed by Gordon Parks. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Theatre. This event is free to the public.

5:00pm-6:00pm – Soup Dinner – Come and join us for free soup followed by a music celebration performance at 6:00pm. Soup, drinks and dessert provided by Great Western Dining. Photo Promotion taken with “I Stand For Signs”. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Lobby. This event is free to the public.

For more information, please call 620.223.2700 ext. 5850

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

         Gordon Parks Museum celebrating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Fort Scott, Kan. – The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will be held Monday, January 15th at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College.

The day will begin with a Day of Service: Canned Food Drive. Canned and non-perishable (non-expired) food items for the Beacon Food Pantry in Fort Scott, Kansas, will be collected at the museum from 1:00p.m. – till 6:00p.m.

 

At 1:00p.m., A film showing of “In Remembrance of Martin”, a PBS home video documentary.

 

At 2:00 p.m., A film showing of “Martin”, a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Gordon Parks – This is a ballet tribute to Dr. King, written and directed by Gordon Parks.

 

Later that evening, the community is also invited to the Ellis Fine Arts Center for a free Soup Dinner that will be held at 5:00p.m. This includes soup, drink, dessert and birthday cake. Dinner and dessert will be provided by Great Western Dining. Also taking place that evening will be a Photo Promotion taken with “I Stand for Signs” provided by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.

Following the Soup Dinner at 6:00p.m. will be a music celebration performance in the fine arts theater, “Celebrating Every Voice”.  This will be an evening of celebration and tribute through music. Performances provided by local choirs and bands.  The Gordon Parks Museum will also be open 12:00p.m. – 6:00p.m. during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

All events are free to attend and will take place at both the Gordon Parks Museum and Ellis Fine Arts center.

 

A full list of film showings and events can be found at https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events. For more information call the Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700 ext. 5850.

 

For more information call (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850, or email [email protected]

 

Gordon Parks Museum Receives Portrait of Gordon Parks


Fort Scott, Kan. Dec.7, 2023 – A portrait of Gordon Parks painted by Elliott Coke O’Neal of Lawrenceville, Ga., was donated recently to the Gordon Parks Museum.

O’Neal rendered the image in 2009 during an art class at Georgia State College in Atlanta, where he
was a sophomore. He had given the portrait to his great-grandmother, Laverne Person, in Fort Scott the year it was finished.

O’Neal’s grandparents, Arthur Greene and Janice Person-Greene, originally from Fort Scott, who now reside in Olathe, visited the museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College to formally donate the painting on O’Neal’s behalf.

For information on the Gordon Parks Museum, contact Kirk Sharp, executive director, 620) 223-2700,
ext. 5850, or at [email protected].
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Janice Person-Greene (left) donating the painting on behalf of their grandson, Elliott Coke O’ Neal.
Photo take by Arthur Greene.
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