FORT SCOTT — Winners of the Gordon Parks Celebration “Family, Home
and Roots” poetry contest, sponsored by Helen Townsend and Trabar Associates, have been chosen. Fifteen
entries were received and the winner of First Place was Zian Butler Perez, Manassas, VA
with the poem titled “An Ode to White Rice, Ketchup, and Heuvo Frito.” Second Place was Delvyn Thomas,
Wichita, KS with the poem “Tea Time.” by Kelly Hams Pearson, Parkville, MO. Third Place was Andrew Hall,
Shawnee, KS with the poem, “I am You, Kansas.”
There were three Honorable Mentions named: “Circle.” by Kristin Chambers,
Waverly, KS, “We are Family Playground.” by Daliludeen Ahmedou, (Nevada,
MO) “Breaking” by Lynne Schmidt, Norway, ME and
Hanamo, Flo Au, (Hong Kong)
First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $200, $75,
and $50 respectively.
The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was
inspired by Gordon Parks and his love for his family and upbringing.
Poets were invited to capture the essence of the theme.
Judges for the photo contest was Kansas Poet Laureate, Traci Brimhall, Poet
and Author, Annette Hope-Billings and Poet, Cash Hollistah. The poetry exhibit
will be on display on the Gordon Parks Museum facebook page
facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s website
gordonparkscenter.org.
Category Archives: Gordon Parks Museum
2023 Gordon Parks Celebration Poetry Contest Winners Named
Winners of the Gordon Parks Celebration “Family, Home
and Roots” poetry contest, sponsored by Helen Townsend and Trabar Associates, have been chosen.
Fifteen entries were received and the winner of First Place was Zian Butler Perez, Manassas, VA with the poem titled “An Ode to White Rice, Ketchup, and Heuvo Frito.” Second Place was Delvyn Thomas,
Wichita, KS with the poem “Tea Time.” by Kelly Hams Pearson, Parkville, MO. Third Place was Andrew Hall, Shawnee, KS with the poem, “I am You, Kansas.”
There were three Honorable Mentions named: “Circle.” by Kristin Chambers, Waverly, KS, “We are Family Playground.” by Daliludeen Ahmedou, (Nevada, MO) “Breaking” by Lynne Schmidt, Norway, ME and Hanamo, Flo Au, (Hong Kong)
First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $200, $75, and $50 respectively.
The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was inspired by Gordon Parks and his love for his family and upbringing.
Photographers were invited to capture the essence of the theme.
Judges for the photo contest was Kansas Poet Laureate, Traci Brimhall, Poet and Author, Annette Hope-Billings and Poet, Cash Hollistah.
The poetry exhibit will be on display on the Gordon Parks Museum’s Facebook page
facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s website
gordonparkscenter.org.
2023 Gordon Parks Celebration Photo Contest Winners Named
Winners of the Gordon Parks Celebration “Family, Home and Roots” photo contest, sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography, have been chosen.
Seventy-Five entries were received and the winner of First Place was Karen Cayce, Wichita, KS with the photo titled “Family
Legacy.” Second Place was Delvyn Thomas, Wichita, KS with the photo “Class Family.” Third Place was McKinely Sutton, Uniontown, KS with the photo, “Children.”
There were five Honorable Mentions named: “House.” by (Yasser Alaa Mobarak,( Alexandria, Egypt.); “We are Family Playground.” by Daliludeen Ahmedou, (Nevada, MO) “Follow the Leader” by McKinley Sutton, (Uniontown, KS) “Me and Pa.” by Makiah Woods, (Bronson, KS), “Girl and Sheep”, by Johanna Walker, (Franklin, KS)
First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 respectively.
The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was inspired by Gordon Parks and his love for his family and upbringing.
Photographers were invited to capture the essence of the theme.
Judges for the photo contest were professional photographer, Veretta Cobler and established make-up artist and hair stylist, Donna Fumoso based in New York City.
The photo exhibit will be on display on the Gordon Parks Museum
Facebook page facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s website
gordonparkscenter.org.
Camber Coffee at Gordon Parks Museum on Oct. 5
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Jill Warford: The 2023 Inaugural Learning Tree Award
Jill Warford, Former Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director, will be the recipient of the “Gordon Parks Learning Tree Award” at the annual celebration tribute dinner on October 7th, 2023 in Fort Scott, Kansas.
The Learning Tree Award was established in May of 2023 in Parks’ honor to be given annually at the Celebration Tribute Dinner.
Named after Gordon’s semi-autobiographical novel and film of the same name, this powerful story tells of a young man growing into manhood in the 1920’s while dealing with racism, poverty, tragic events and love. The story is also of a mother who places love, dignity and hard work over hatred. She teaches him about life lessons learned and allows Cherokee Flats to be his Learning Tree.
“The Learning Tree Award” is an award created to recognize an individual that is either emerging in the field of arts with exceptional artistic merit, supporting and promoting of the arts, or championing of the arts by their outstanding dedication, perseverance, commitment to excellence in their community.
“We are very excited to have Jill as the inaugural recipient of this award,” said Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director.
Jill Warford was hired in January of 2004 by Fort Scott Community College to assist with Alumni and Advancement and to develop a way to honor Fort Scott native Gordon Parks. She brought with her a wealth of experience with past positions in alumni, development, public relations, graphic design, and as the director of the William Inge Theatre Festival at Independence Community College. She had developed a relationship with Gordon Parks when he was honored at the Inge Festival in 1996 and with his blessing, she founded and directed the annual Gordon Parks Celebration, which launched in October of 2004, and eventually she was instrumental in starting the Gordon Parks Museum at FSCC. At the helm for fifteen years, she retired in October of 2018 and currently resides in Independence, Kansas.
This event is for everyone and open to the public.
Please reserve tickets early by Wednesday, Oct 4, 2023 for all the reserved events. The 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration will have a wide range of great events and activities for all to enjoy.
The Celebration kicks off on Thursday, Oct 5 with a chamber coffee at the Gordon Parks Museum and ends with The Tribute Celebration Dinner at The Liberty Theater in Fort Scott on Saturday, Oct 7, 2023.
For tickets, call 620 -223-2700 ext. 5850. or register at https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/…/celebration-tribute…
See less
Tickets Available for KC Allstars Dance Party Oct.6
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Gordon Parks Celebration Lunch & Learn Events: Oct. 5-7
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2023 GORDON PARKS CELEBRATION Schedule of Events
2023 GORDON PARKS CELEBRATION
Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 5th
PHOTO EXHIBIT in the Gordon Parks Museum and Lunt Lobby of the Fine Arts Center.
- The Merl Humphrey Photography-sponsored photo contest will be on display with the theme of “Family, Home, and Roots” Winners will be announced at the Chamber Coffee.
- The Collection and Works of Yvonne Palkowitsh, fine arts photographer born and raised in Fort Scott, KS.
- The Back to Fort Scott, Now reimaged photos and I Need Paris photos in the Lunt Lobby of the Fine Arts Center. Supported in part by Evergy and Millers Professional Imaging.
POEM EXHIBIT in the Gordon Parks Museum and Lunt Lobby of the Fine Arts Center. The Helen Townsend, Poet and Trabar & Associates – sponsored poem contest will be on display. Winners will be announced at the Chamber Coffee, but presented at the Open Mic event on Saturday, Oct 7, 2023.
SIGN DISPLAY & MURAL DISPLAY Visit the Lowell Milken Center Unsung Heroes Park, 1 S. Main St. Gordon Parks is one of the featured signs. View also the mural of Gordon Parks at Riverfront Park, 400 N. National.
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. — Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee at the Gordon Parks Museum. FREE.
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. — Showing of the Leadbelly film. In the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Registration open outside of Museum.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. — (Lunch and Learn) “Learning From Gordon Parks” Ann Dean, Freelance Photographer and Artist will talk about Gordon Parks documentation of American life and culture. Born in Fort Scott, Kansas, in 1912, he is one of the most esteemed image makers of all time. In this presentation Ann discusses the impact and inspiration found in Parks’ books: The Learning Tree, A Choice of Weapons, and Half Past Autumn. These books help illustrate Parks’ mother’s teachings centered in love, dignity, and hard work, and provide a starting point to talk about his struggles, choices, and triumphs – all great life lessons for those searching to find their way in this complicated world. Our program is brought to us by Humanities Kansas. The Lunch and Learn is free to attend, but the sandwich wrap lunches are only available by pre-purchase for $10 each by Wed, Oct. 4. Those planning to purchase the lunches may go online at https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events or by phone or check by mail. or bring your own lunch and join us. Dessert and drinks also available in the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE to attend, except for lunch.
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. — “The Super Fly Trilogy”, Fifty years after the premiere of this Soul Cinema masterpiece, L.Roi Boyd, III, Professor of Theatre & Speech at Virginia State University; Co-Founding Artistic Director Cultural Libations, will provide a presentation on his new book The Super Fly Trilogy. Boyd will share the backstory behind the film taking it all the way to its beginnings in Cleveland, Ohio and its parallels with real gangsters and racketeers. Discussion will also center on the events that led to the production and presentation of the Super Fly films from the 1972 film Super Fly – directed by Gordon Parks, Jr. to 2018. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree Film Scene Locations. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. See the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. Fee: $8. https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events or by phone or mail.
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. — Showing of the film Moments Without Proper Names in FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
Friday, October 6th
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Registration open outside of Museum.
9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. — “Parks and Muhammad Ali” Professor John Edwin Mason, Associated Professor, University of Virginia Department of History will explore the special friendship between Gordon Parks and Muhammad Ali. Gordon photographed the heavy weight champion on two separate photo-essays for LIFE magazine. During that time, a great bond was created between both Parks and Ali. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. — “A Conversation with Choice of Weapon Honorees.” The 2023 “Choice of Weapons Award” honorees, Tommy Dodson, Mario Sprouse, and Deborah Willis. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. — (Lunch and Learn Event) “Harlem Renaissance and the Renaissance Man” with Randal Jelks, Professor of African and African American Studies and American Studies at University of Kansas. This presentation will share the history, journey, and connection of two titans of the early 20th century — Langston Hughes, a poet and playwright, and Gordon Parks, a photographer. This presentation will reveal their shared legacy through an exhibit panel display that celebrates their lives and careers. This will also be the official launch opening with ribbon cutting of the exhibit. Our program is brought to us by Humanities Kansas. The Lunch and Learn is free to attend, but the sack lunches are only available by pre-purchase for $10 each by Thur, Oct. 4. Those planning to purchase the lunches may go online at https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events or by phone or check by mail or bring your own lunch and join us. Dessert and drinks also available in the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE to attend, except for lunch.
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. — (Lunch and Learn Event) “Back to Fort Scott, Now” and “I Needed Paris Update” with Michael Cheers, Associate Professor, Photojournalism, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, San Jose State University, Shreepad Joglekar, Department of Art & Associate Professor, Kansas State University and Jason Miccolo Johnson, former Professor in the Journalism and Mass Communications Department at Savannah State University. The presentation of the “Back to Fort Scott, Now” project, is the reimaging and tribute of Gordon Parks photos that he had taken in Fort Scott, KS, in 1950. Parks was on assignment for LIFE magazine to do a story on segregated schools and to follow up with his classmates that he graduated with from the segregated Plaza School in Fort Scott. Cheers & Joglekar will share project research and discuss the October photo exhibition. Professors Cheers and Johnson, will also provide an update and share photos of the “I Needed Paris” project that took a group of African American photographers through Paris, traversing the same streets and neighborhoods as Gordon Parks, when he worked in the Paris bureau of Life magazine in the early 1950s. This session reimagines Gordon’s iconic fashion, portrait and documentary photo essay work. Our program is brought to us by Evergy. The Lunch and Learn is free to attend, but the sack lunches are only available by pre-purchase for $10 each by Thursday, Oct. 5. Those planning to purchase the lunches may go online at https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events or by phone or check by mail or bring your own lunch and join us. Dessert and drinks also available in the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE to attend, except for lunch.
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. — “The Collections and Works of Yvonne Palkowitsh” Yvonne, a self-taught fine arts photographer born and raised in Fort Scott, KS, delves into the depths of storytelling through her work. She will be showcasing a collection of her pieces, which will be on display during her presentation. Through her use of painterly techniques, Yvonne transforms traditional photographs into imaginative and soulful tales. Her inspiration stems from the power and vulnerability found within dark and ambiguous locations, infused with rich colors. Yvonne’s creative process begins with carefully planned scenes, followed by the use of detailed digital composite techniques, resulting in surreal and thought-provoking narratives that tell unique stories of her subjects. Supported in part by Bourbon County Arts Council. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE.
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. — “Free To Serve” (Mural Unveiling) Join us for the unveiling of the new mural display featuring the “1st Kansas Colored Infantry.” This is in honor and tribute of their sacrifice and willingness to serve. The mural will be on display at the north downtown building located at 9 South Main St, near Skubitz Plaza. FREE.
7:30 p.m. – “Celebration Dance Party” featuring, Kansas City All Stars. Celebrate and dance the night away to the Premier Dance Party Band in Kansas City. This KC Band will perform some of the best R&B and Dance hits for all generations. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Cash bar available. The River Room, 3 W. Oak St. All seats reserved. Fee: $25.00 each or $30 at the door. Tickets available online https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events, by phone or by mail. Supported in part by The Bourbon County Arts Council, and Peerless Products, Inc. in Fort Scott, KS.
Saturday, October 7th
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. — Registration open outside of Museum.
8:50 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. — “Open Mic Poetry” This open mic is for any poets, rappers, musicians, or artists of all ages to read their work. Bring your friends, your poetry, your instruments, your beats, your inspirations, your creativity, and your talent! No sign-up necessary, just hop on the mic when you’re ready! Hosted by poet, Barbara L. Eikner. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum. Coffee, water, juice, and light refreshments will be available. FREE.
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. — “Back to Fort Scott, Plaza School Classmates and Descendants” Katherine Karlin, Professor, Emerita, English Department, Kansas State University and Natassja Norwood, Undergraduate Student at Kansas State University will introduce and share findings from their research about Gordon Parks classmates and their decedents from the segregated Plaza School in Fort Scott. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE.
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. — (Lunch and Learn Event) “History of the Hawkins/Plaza School and All-School Reunion” This presentation and event will explore the history of the (1884 – 1956) segregated Hawkins/Plaza School that Gordon Parks attended. We will also honor former students that attended either school throughout the years. Join us as we take a journey through time to learn about the school(s). We encourage former students that attended the school to share their experience, stories and more during their time at the segregated school. There will also be a group photo of the former students that attended Hawkins/Plaza School. FREE “BBQ by the Patio”. Join us for some great barbeque, potato salad, chips, desserts, drinks. Sponsored by Dunks BBQ. (Visitors may bring their own lunch.) Drinks will be provided. There is no cost for the lunch, but registration for the BBQ is required either online https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events, by phone or by mail by Fri, Oct. 6. Donations are certainly appreciated.
FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. FREE.
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Showing of the Criterion Collection film The Learning Tree in FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree Film Scene Locations. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. See the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. Fee: $8. https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events at phone or by mail.
7:00 p.m. – “Celebration Tribute Dinner” (Social Hour starts at 6:00 p.m.) Join us for an evening of celebration and dinner, music performance and tribute to past honorees and Gordon Parks. The evening will be highlighted by the presentation of the 2023 “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” to Tommy Dodson, Mario Sprouse, and Deborah Willis. There will also be a presentation of the inaugural “Gordon Parks Learning Tree Award” to Jill Warford. This event will be held at the Liberty Theater. 113 S. Main St. All seats reserved. Fee: $35.00. Tickets available online at https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events, by phone or by mail. (Reserve by Wed, Oct. 4).
Sunday, October 8th
9:00 a.m. – Breakfast at Crooner’s Lounge. Enjoy a breakfast buffet at one of Fort Scott’s finest! Located at 117 S. Main Street, Downtown Fort Scott. You’re sure to find something on the buffet to please. Check it out at: fscrooners.com. (No ticket required-everyone pays for their own).
TICKET PURCHASE FOR THE 2023 CELEBRATION:
Friday, October 6th Celebration Dance Party – Purchase and reserve online, phone, or at the door.
Saturday, October 7th BBQ by the Patio –Reservation. FREE. Please reserve by Friday, October 6. FREE.
Saturday, October 7th Tribute Dinner-Reservation Only. Please reserve by Wednesday, October 4.
- (Lunch and Learn) “Learning From Gordon Parks”: I would like to purchase _______ lunch tickets at $10 each for a total of $ ________. Please select any dietary options: Vegan: Qty ______ Vegetarian: Qty ________
- (Lunch and Learn Event) “Harlem Renaissance and the Renaissance Man”: I would like to purchase _______ tickets at $10 each for a total of $ ________. Please select any dietary options: Vegan: Qty ______ Vegetarian: Qty ________
- (Lunch and Learn Event): “Back to Fort Scott Now and I Needed Paris Update”: I would like to purchase _______ tickets at $10 each for a total of $ ________. Please select any dietary options: Vegan: Qty ______ Vegetarian: Qty ________
- Celebration Dance Party: I would like to purchase _______ tickets at $25 each for a total of $ ________.
- BBQ on the Patio: I would like to reserve_______ tickets FREE. Please select any dietary options: Vegan: Qty ______ Vegetarian: Qty ________
- Celebration Tribute Dinner: I would like to purchase _______ tickets at $35 each for a total of $ ________. Please select any dietary options: Vegan: Qty______ Vegetarian: Qty ________
Total Registration Cost…………………………………………………………………$________.
Name, Address: __________________________________________________________________________
Phone # & Email: _________________________________________________________________________
__________CHECK ENCLOSED payable to the Gordon Parks Museum
Gordon Parks Museum
2108 S. Horton St. Fort Scott, KS 66701
Or register online at www.gordonparkscenter.org
Questions? Call us at 620-223-2700, ext. 5850 or email: [email protected]
Celebration attendees can receive a 10% off “Gordon Parks” hotel rate for at the Sleep Inn Hotel and Suites 302 E. Wall St. Call 620-223-2555 to reserve and ask for the Celebration discount or go online by using the reservation link below. Check out visitfortscott.com for more hotel and lodging options.
http://www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/ArrivalInfo?hotel=KS190&srp=LGPARK&pu=no
This 20th annual celebration was supported in part by Bourbon County Arts Council, Evergy, Fort Scott Community College Greyhound Foundation, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Humanities Kansas and Peerless Products.
Gordon Parks Celebration Dance: October 6
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Skubitz Plaza Mural Completed
The local historic depiction of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment is completed.
The mural faces the Fort Scott National Historic Site, the place of the mustering of the regiment during the American Civil War.
St. Louis artist Cbabi Bayoc worked on the mural for a week in August with temperatures over 100 degrees.
“The project took six days to complete,” Bayoc said in an interview. “I started spray painting the sketch on Monday and made final touches on it Saturday afternoon. The only long day was Wednesday which was crucial in getting it done on schedule.”
He worked from afternoon to evening because of the location of the mural on the north side of the building. That week of August 2023 the community experienced over 100 degrees daily.
“The heat was a definite factor,” Bayoc said. “It cut my days shorter than I am used to spending on murals of this scale. Also the rail and the steps made for some interesting body maneuvering to get the soldier on the left and the banner bottom middle done.”
Bayoc describes his work and its meaning.
“I chose the soldier with the flag because black folks always hoped going to battle for the country would gain their rights and respect as citizens,” he said. “The ad (To Arms! To Arms!) was crucial because putting guns in the hands of black soldiers was crucial to the (Civil War/slavery) times and foreshadowed their being the first regiment to see battle. I like the line created by the rifle and what it adds to the design. Their name and regiment number flank the left side and of course, elements from the battalion flag provide the backdrop.”
Fort Scott left a good impression on the artist from St. Louis.
“The folks we interacted with were warm and inviting,” he said. “My wife and I thought the downtown was gorgeous. We look forward to returning in October.”
The revealing and acknowledging of the mural will be during the annual Gordon Parks Museum Celebration the first weekend in October.
To learn more about that event:
The public is invited to join the “Free To Serve” mural unveiling on Friday, October 6 from 4 to 4:30 p.m.
This is in honor and tribute to the regiment’s sacrifice and willingness to serve during the Civil War.
The mural is located at the north downtown building at 9 South Main St, near Skubitz Plaza, facing the Fort.
“We will veil the mural before out-of-town guests arrive for the Gordon Parks celebration for a more grand reveal, but until then the mural is available to be photographed,” Rachel French, coordinator of the project for the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division said.
The Kansas Department of Commerce Office of Rural Prosperity awarded funding for the project, along with several local benefactors.
Gordon Parks Museum Receives Arts and Culture Grant by the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas
Fort Scott, Kan. Aug.24, 2023 – An Arts and Culture grant through the Community Foundation of
Southeast Kansas helped support the 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration. The annual celebration
will be held October 5 -7, 2023 in Fort Scott, Kansas.
“We are very thankful to be part of this grant. This is our 20th year of the Annual Gordon Parks
Celebration and we are excited to celebrate the upcoming three days full of wonderful events
with everyone. The celebration is a great way to honor Gordon Parks legacy.” said Kirk Sharp,
Executive Director of the Gordon Parks Museum. “
The celebration is in honor Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, noted photographer, writer, musician, and
filmmaker. The celebration will feature several events to include presentations, special events, tours,
music performance, barbeque and a celebration tribute dinner for the presentation of The Choice of
Weapons Award established in Parks’ honor to be given annually at the celebration. The schedule of
events is available at the Gordon Parks Museum or online at gordonparkscenter.org and on our
facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fsccGPmuseum/. This event is for everyone and open to
the public.
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas hosts individual charitable funds created by donors
who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from these funds assist people
throughout Southeast Kansas and beyond. Call the Foundation at 620-231-8897 with questions about
the Community Foundation. www.southeastkansas.org.
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Contact Name: Kirk Sharp FOR IMMEDIATE
Phone: 620-223-2700, ext. 5850 RELEASE
Email: [email protected]
Website: gordonparkscenter.org
Presentation Explores the Impact of Kansas’s Native Son Gordon Parks
Fort Scott, Kansas – The Gordon Parks Museum in Fort Scott, Kansas will host “Learning from
Gordon Parks,” a presentation and discussion by Ann Dean on Thursday, October 5 at
12:00p.m. at The Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center at 2108 S. Horton St.
Members of the community are invited to attend the free program. Contact the Gordon Parks Museum at
620-223-2700 ext. 5850 for more information. The program is made possible by Humanities Kansas.
This presentation and discussion are part of the 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration that will take place in Fort Scott, Kansas on October 5 -7, 2023. This is also a Lunch and Learn Event.
The presentation by Ann Dean is free to attend, but the lunches are only available by pre-purchase for $10 each by Wednesday, October 4, 2023.
African American author, photographer, and filmmaker Gordon Parks was well known for his documentation of American life and culture.
Born in Fort Scott, Kansas in 1912, he is one of the
most esteemed image makers of all time. In this presentation, photographer Ann Dean discusses the impact and inspiration found in Parks’s books: The Learning Tree, A Choice of
Weapons, and Half Past Autumn.
These books help illustrate Parks’s mother’s teachings centered in love, dignity, and hard work, and provide a starting point to talk about his struggles, choices, and triumphs – all great life lessons for those searching to find their way in this complicated world.
Ann Dean is an artist and freelance photographer who teaches photography classes at the Lawrence Art Center.
“Learning from Gordon Parks” is part of Humanities Kansas’s Speakers Bureau and “21st Century Civics,” a collection of resources that invite Kansans to participate in community
discussions and learn more about the history of American democracy and the shared responsibilities of citizenship. “21st Century Civics” is made possible with support from “A More
Perfect Union: America at 250,” an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
For more information about “Learning from Gordon Parks” in Fort Scott, Kansas contact the
Gordon Parks Museum at 620-223-2700 ext. 5850 or visit gordonparkscenter.org.
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.
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