Fort Scott native Gordon Parks was among a dozen photographers inducted by the Kansas Press Association into the Kansas Photojournalism Hall of Fame during a ceremony recently in Topeka.
As a member of the inaugural class, Parks joins Rich Clarkson, CarlDavaz, Jeff Jacobsen, Chris Johns, Brian Lanker, Sandra Milburn, Jim Richardson, Charlie Riedel, Gary Settle, Pete Souza and Bill Snead in the newly minted hall of fame.
Kirk Sharp, executive director of the Gordon Parks Museum in Fort Scott, was asked byParks’ son, David, to represent the family in accepting the award, which the family entrusted to the museum. “It was an honor and a privilege to not only represent the family and to accept the award, but to also have the award on display in our museum forvisitors to see,” Sharp said.
Ella Parks and Charles Cooksey, great–niece and nephew of Gordon Parks, were also in attendance at the ceremonial banquet Nov. 19 at the Beacon Building. ###
GORDON PARKS MUSEUM RECEIVES FORT SCOTT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT FOR INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY EXPANSION
Fort Scott, Kan. Nov. 17, 2022 – A grant through the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation has enabled the Gordon Parks Museum to further expand interactive technology in the museum. This includes two tablet kiosks with stands and software. The tablets can be used by visitors of any age.
“We are extremely thankful to receive this grant award from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation. The interactive technology expansion gives us the ability to not only continue to modernize the museum, but to expand digitally,” said Kirk Sharp, executive director of the Gordon Parks Museum.
Funds from the Dr. Pratt and Pauline Irby Endowment Fund Award – courtesy of the adult children of the benefactors (Janet Braun, Bob Irby and Mary Rio) – were also used to help in the purchase of the tablet kiosks with stands and software.
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation hosts individual charitable funds created by donors who have a passion for giving back to their community. Grants from these funds assist people throughout Fort Scott and Bourbon County. Call the Foundation at (620) 224-6500 with questions about the Community Foundation or go to https://fsacf.com/.
From left: Jane Campbell, president of the Gordon Parks Museum Board, Executive Director Kirk Sharp and Fort Scott Community College President Alysia Johnston. The museum is housed on the FSCC campus. From the museum’s Facebook page.
A recent honor was awarded those who worked on a local trail project that tells of Gordon Park’s life in Kansas.
From left: Jane Campbell, Carl Brenner, Aly Turvey, Kirk Sharp, Shane Walker, Kassie Fugate-Cate, Arnold Scholfield and Janice Fewins were part of the planning committee for the Learning Tree Sign Trail. Picture from the museum’s Facebook page. (2019)
In late October, 2022, Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director Kirk Sharp, was notified that a recent project,“The Learning Tree” Film Scene Sign Trail had garnered the Award of Excellence from the Kansas Museum Association.
The award is presented annually by the Kansas Museum Association during the organization’s yearly conference, this year on November 7-9, to an institution whose project or achievements are worthy of special recognition.
“This is an amazing honor for us to receive such a prestigious award from the KMA,” said Sharp said. “This award is something that not only both of the communities of Fort Scott and Mound City can be proud of, but also the entire state of Kansas.”
The film trail is a series of signs situated at the different filming locations for “The Learning Tree,” written and directed by Parks. The signs also include QR codes along with a virtual tour of the identified scene locations for the film.
“In 1989 The Learning Tree (A Warner Bros. – Seven Arts Inc. Production) was one of the first 25 films selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant,” Sharp said.
The recent project received funding from Humanities Kansas and the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.
NEH for All spotlights more than 260 projects funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities through its website NEHforAll.org.
Established in 1965, the NEH recognizes the unique role the humanities play in fostering the wisdom, vision and knowledge required to participate in a thriving democracy.
To this day, the NEH supports excellence in humanities research, teaching and lifelong-learning opportunities that provide millions of Americans the knowledge of their history and culture. NEHforAll.org highlights that excellence. Visit the website at http://nehforall.org/.
Kirk Sharp, left, and Rachelle Meinecke, the chairperson of the Kansas Museum Association’s award committee, pose with the Award of Excellence bestowed recently upon the Gordon Parks Museum for it’s “The Learning Tree” Film Scene Sign Trail.
About the Gordon Parks Museum in Fort Scott
Parks spent some of his childhood in Fort Scott and later went on to be an internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician.
A museum to honor Gordon Parks is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
The mission of the Gordon Parks Museum in Fort Scott is to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness, and the role of diversity in our lives, according to the museum’s website.
On Wednesday, Nov 30, 2022, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Gordon Parks Museum, Professional photographer, Veretta Cobler will give a free photography instruction on working with digital photography.
This in-depth workshop is designed to help the beginner and the novice learn how to get the most out of their digital camera. More experienced photographers can learn some techniques to improve and enhance their shots.
Veretta lived and worked in New York City as a professional photographer for over four decades. She has recently relocated back home in Fort Scott, Kansas. Her work is in fine arts, fashion, portraiture, still life and journalistic cultural study. Her fashion images are seen in various U.S. magazines including Bride, Modern Bride, Bridal Guide, Elegant Bride, Martha Stewart Living, The Knot, Seventeen, Prom and New York Magazine.
Veretta’s fine arts photography has resulted in exhibitions and publications of her work throughout her career. Published works include New York Underground (2004), a coffee table photography book depicting the nightlife in New York City in late 1970’s and early 1980’s.
Her most recent book about the life and teachings of a Lakota spiritual man, “Teachings From A Chief ”, is in the publishing process.
She received her BS degree of Photojournalism from the University of Kansas in 1974.
For more information contact the Gordon Parks Museum at 620 -223-2700 ext 5850 or email: [email protected]
The museum is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
Celebrating Gordon Parks,110th Birthday Digital PhotographyDigital Photography Workshop
The Gordon ParksMuseumat Fort Scott Community College will celebrate the anniversary of Gordon Parks’birthday onWednesday, November 30thwithpresentations, workshop and the showing offilmsthroughout the day.Theeventsarefree of charge and thepublic is invited toattend.
The schedulethroughout the day will include: 8:00 a.m.–6:30p.m.—Gordon Parks Museumwillbeopenforextended hours. 10:00a.m.–11:30 a.m.—Showing of the filmCriterion CollectionThe Learning Tree. 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.—“Langston Hughes & Gordon Parks Story Board”(Lunch and Learn Event)Bill Martin,Diversity Archivists for theLangston Hughes Cultural Society in Joplin, Missouri, will share the story board collections of Langston Hughes & Gordon Parks alongwithhisresearchwith thehelp from the Library of Congress and Ancestry.com and historic African American Newspapers.Feel free tobring your lunchand join us. Birthday cake.
1:30p.m.–3:15p.m.–Showing of the filmLeadbelly. 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.—“Digital PhotographyWorkshop”Veretta Cobler,Professional Photographer will provide freeinstruction on working with digital photography. This in–depth workshop is designed to help the beginner and the novicelearn how to get the most out of their digital camera. Moreexperienced photographers can learn some techniques to improve and enhance their shots. Parks,born in Fort Scott on November30, 1912,would have been110this year. He died in March 7,2006 at the age of 93.
Theevents andfilmswill beshownin theDanny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. For more informationcontactthe GordonParks Museumat620–223–2700, ext. 5850or by email at gordonparkscenter@fortscott.edu ###
FORT SCOTT — Winners of the Gordon Parks Celebration “I Am Driven By” photo contest, sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography, have been chosen. Fifty entries were received and the winner of First Place was Kenneth E. Washington (Washington, DC) with the photo titled “Mother & Son.” Second Place was Lucas Clark with the photo “Kansas peace.”
“Mother and Son” by Kenneth E. Washington (Washington, DC) is the first place winner. Submitted photos.Second Place was Lucas Clark with the photo “Kansas peace.”Third Place was Jeni Elder with her photo, “My Mother & Daughter.”
There were five Honorable Mentions named: “Hard Worker.” by (Yasser Alaa Mobarak,( Alexandria, Egypt.); “Endless Knowledge.” by Bariegh Farrell (Fort Scott, KS); “Life’s Curiosities.” by Anna Laubenstien (Fort Scott); “The Way of Music.” by Bariegh Farrell (Fort Scott, KS);“2 Village Girls” by Kenneth E. Washington (Washington, DC).
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 a quote from Gordon Parks and his incredible drive.
“Driven by an insatiable hunger, I still search for those things that
inspire me—beautiful imagery, music, and literature.”—Gordon Parks
Gordon Parks, who started his career in fashion photography and chose a camera to fight against racism, discrimination, and poverty.
Judges for the photo contest was professional photographer, Veretta Cobler and established make-up artist and hair stylist, Donna Fumoso based in New York City. The photo exhibit is on display on the Gordon Parks Museum facebook page facebook.com/fsccgpmuseum/ and the museum’s website gordonparkscenter.org.
Fort Scott, KS–Staffersare moving most of theGordon Parks Museum’sartifactcollections into the meeting room and lobby area of the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center to accommodate public viewing during the annual celebration Oct. 6–8at Fort Scott Community College. Continued supply–chain issues delaying the repair of the museum’s air–conditioning unit are the cause for the change, said museum director Kirk Sharp. “The date when repairs can be completed is still unknown at this time,” said Sharp. “We want to thank everyone for their support and patience.” Museum visits and tours can be scheduled for a later date by calling (620) 223–2700, ext. 5850, or by sending an email to[email protected] ###
The Gordon Parks Museum is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
2022 Gordon Parks Celebration – Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 6th
PHOTO EXHIBIT– In the Lunt Lobby of the Fine Arts Center. The photo contest sponsored byMerl Humphrey Photographywill be on display with the theme of “I Am Driven By”. Winners will be announced at the Chamber Coffee,8 a.m.
PHOTO EXHIBIT– In the Gordon Parks Museum and Lobby of the Fine Arts Center. The Gordon Parks Mercy Foundation Collection, with some of Gordon’s photos and poems.
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, by local artist Stephen Toal, 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. – 11:00 a.m. –Showing of the film Criterion CollectionThe Learning Treein 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) “In the Shadow of Obscurity: Tolling in a Reluctant Society”Arif Khatib, Filmmaker, Author, and Founder/President at the Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame. Arif will present his book that not only tells the stories of many of our great sports figures in history, but also addresses their pain on the road to greatness. “It is a must read” to understand why we must stay focused and make this society understand that we must all commit to a just society and make things better for generations to come.FREE to Attend. Chicken Caesar & Club wrap lunches are available in the lobby ($8-purchase that day) or bring your own lunch and join us.Dessert and drinks also available in the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center.FREE.
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. –Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott &The Learning TreeFilm 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: $7. 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. –Showing of the filmLeadbellyin the Gordon Parks Museum.FREE. 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. –“Fort Scott Book Club Presentation,” “A Choice of Weapons Revisited”,Hosted by Park Rangers from Fort Scott National Historic Site.(Social Hour starts at 5:30 p.m. Wine and Refreshments). FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center.FREE. 7:00 p.m. –“Photography Techniques: Jim Richardson on Gordon Parks Photos”National Geographic Magazine Photographer Jim Richardson will discuss and explore the photographic techniques Parks used to create his signature images, which reflect the documentary esthetic of LIFE magazine in its heyday era. This freewheeling discussion will honor Parks as a master technician, part of his huge talent that is often neglected. Gordon Parks made iconic photographs(Social Hour starts at 5:30 p.m. Wine and Refreshments)FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium.FREE.
Friday, October 7th 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. –Registration open outside of Museum. 9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. – “Video Production Seminar: Fort Scott African American Experience Grant Project”This video seminar/presentation will show and discuss what video and movie making is about and how to find inspiration and some insight of the technical aspects. Students will then be creating videos and social media posts of their findings or to tell the stories they uncover. This is open to the community to attend.
This is part of a grant project collaboration with the Fort Scott National Historic Site where H.S. & college students from the Fort Scott area will conduct research of unsung African Americans or events they are associated with from the Fort Scott area. Moderated by Carl Brenner, Project Grant Director & Acting Superintendent at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, with featured panelist; David Parks, photographer, filmmaker, author, and son of Gordon Parks, Robin Hickman-Winfield, Executive Producer of SoulTouch Productions and great-niece of Gordon Parks, along with Eli Reed, acclaimed photographer and author. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center Theater. This project is funded by a federal grant. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium.FREE.
10:05 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. –“A Conversation with Choice of Weapon Honorees.”The 2022 “Choice of Weapons Award” honorees, Adger Cowans, and William C. Rhoden. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium.FREE.
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. –(Lunch and Learn Event) “Gordon Parks and Kansas: New Open Access Digital Resources”Aileen June Wang, Curator, and Sarah Price, Collections Manager, at the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art along with Katherine Karlin, Professor, English Department, Kansas State University will introduce new findings about Gordon Parks from their research for a virtual exhibition of Gordon Parks photographs, an open access digital exhibition catalog, and the websiteThe Learning Tree: A Gordon Parks Digital Archive.FREE to Attend.Sack lunches are available in the lobby ($8-purchase that day) or bring your own lunch and join us. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium.FREE.
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. –(Lunch and Learn Event) “I Needed Paris Project Update”with Michael Cheers, Associate Professor, Photojournalism, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, San Jose State University. This will be an update on the “I Needed Paris” project that will take a group of diverse American student photographers through Paris, traversing the same streets and neighborhoods as Gordon Parks, when he worked in the Paris Bureau of Life magazine 1949-1951. This session reimagines Gordon’s iconic fashion, portrait, and documentary photo essay work. The session peeks inside some of the book chapters – portraits of African American expats, trendy black fashion designers, and an intimate look at the homeless, migrant, and refugee communities – that will be published to document this project in 2023.FREE to Attend.Sack lunches are available in the lobby ($8-purchase that day) or bring your own lunch and join us. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium. FREE.
1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. –“Choice of Weapon Honorees Presentation”The 2022 “Choice of Weapons Award” honorees, Adger Cowans and William C. Rhoden, will each share their perspective works in photography, art, books, videos, etc….Adger Cowans, Photographer, Author, painter will present some of his photography. Mr. Cowans will show photos from his personal collection and of Gordon Parks, who was a longtime friend.William C. Rhoden, Documentary Award winning sports columnist and author for the New York Times, Author of Forty Million Dollars Slaves, and a writer at large for Andscape, will share some of his video stories, columns, and information from his books. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center.FREE.
Schedule subject to change. Please check at www.gordonparkscenter.org for any updates
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. –Film Screening Presentation: “Presence of Absence: Gordon Parks Through an Empathic Lens”Multimedia artist, Andrew F. Scott will present his video with Six-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard and the E-Collective in Concert, and will discuss the process of putting this project together and creating it with Professor Matthew Gainer, Professor of Graphic Design, Department of Art at Kansas State University along with his students. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum.FREE. 7:30 p.m. –“Hot Jazz & R&B”(Social Hour at 6:30 p.m.) Featuring, Paula Sanders & Derick Cunigan, Multi-talented Jazz & R&B Vocalists, performing the very best in Jazz & R&B. Cash bar available. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton St.Fee: $25.00. Reserve Tickets by Wed, Oct, 5.
Saturday, October 8th
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. –Registration open outside of Museum. 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. –Panel Discussion “Taking the Shot”Join us for a panel discussion on photography and how to take or create great photographic images. Some discussion will include: techniques, lighting, depth, inspiration, and impact. Moderated by John Mason, Associate Professor, University of Virginia Department of History with featured panelist; Adger Cowans, 2022 Choice of Weapons Honoree, Michael Cheers, Associate Professor, San Jose State University, Eli Reed, Photographer & 2021 Choice of Weapons Honoree, Veretta Cobler, Photographer, and Don Thompson, Photographer.Coffee, water, juice, and light refreshments will be available. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum.FREE.
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 p.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.FREE.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. –(Lunch and Learn Event) “Buffalo Soldiers Presentation”The Alexander/Madison Chapter – Greater Kansas City/Leavenworth Area 9th & 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association will be in full authentic Buffalo Soldier uniforms. The troopers will provide a moving presentation on the great legacy and rich background of the historic Buffalo Soldiers from the years 1866 to 1944. Original Buffalo Soldier artifacts will be on display during the presentation. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum.FREE “BBQ on the Patio” Come and join us for some great barbeque, potato salad, chips, drinks, etc.Sponsored by Dunks BBQ. (Visitors may bring their own lunch.) Drinks will be provided. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center.FREE.
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. –“Film Screening Presentation:Many Fires This Time: We the 100 Million”This is an award-winning documentary film that received the Gordon Parks Black Film Excellence Honorable Mention Award (2021) at the Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita, KS. Directed by Jason R.A. Foster, and produced by Michael “Quess?” Moore and Jeremy Liu,Many Fires This Time: We the 100 Millionis a poetic documentary about the 1 in 3 Americans and counting, living in economic insecurity.FREE.
2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. –Guided Trolley Tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott &The Learning TreeFilm 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: $7. 7:00 p.m. –“Celebration Tribute Dinner”(Social Hour starts at 6:00 p.m.) Join us for an evening of celebration and dinner, with music, tribute, and presentation of the 2022 “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” to Adger Cowans and William C. Rhoden. FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center. 2108 S. Horton St. All seats reserved.Fee: $30.00. (Reserve by Wed, Oct. 5)
Sunday, October 9th
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 are sure to find something on the buffet that will please your appetite. Check it out at: fscrooners.com. (No ticket required-everyone pays for their own)
TICKET PURCHASEFOR THE 2022 CELEBRATION: Friday, October 7th Hot Jazz and R&B –Reserve Only. (all other tickets may be purchased on site). Please reserve by Wed., Oct. 5th Questions? Call us at 620.223.2700 ext. 5850 email: [email protected] Gordon Parks Museum 2108 S. Horton St. Fort Scott, KS 66701 Or register online at: www.gordonparkscenter.org
Saturday, October 8th BBQ on the Patio –Reservation Only. (all other tickets may be purchased on site). Please reserve by Fri., Oct. 7th
Saturday, October 8th Tribute Dinner –Reservation Only. (all other tickets may be purchased on site). Please reserve by Wed., Oct. 5th (Lunch & Learn) Friday “Exhibition Catalog/E-book: Homeward to the Prairie I come.”______tickets at $8 each for a total of $_______. (Lunch & Learn) Thursday “In the Shadow of Obscurity: Tolling in a Reluctant Society.” ______tickets at $8 each for a total of $_______. Name, Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number & Email: ____________________________________________________________________ ___________ CHECK ENCLOSED payable to the Gordon Parks Museum Hot Jazz R&B Friday______tickets at $25 each for a total of $_______. BBQ on the Patio Saturday______FREETickets. Celebration Tribute Dinner Saturday______tickets at $30 each for a total of $_______. Total Registration Cost…………………….$_________.
Gordon Parks Museum is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College, will feature a photo contest sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography. This event is inspired by a quote from Gordon Parks and his incredible drive. “Driven by an insatiable hunger, I still search for those things that inspire me–beautiful imagery, music, and literature.”
The theme of the contest is “I Am Driven By…” This is open to any amateur photographer. Photographers are invited to capture the essence of this quote and what they are driven by?
Non-professional photographers of any age and skill level are invited to take pictures for the project and may enter up to two photos in JPEG format with less than 2MB. There will be a first place ($100), second place ($75) and third place ($50) prize and up to five honorable mentions. All photos submitted will be on exhibit at The Gordon Parks Museum and in the Ellis Family Fine Arts Center Oct. 6 – 8, 2022. All photos will also be posted on the Gordon Parks Museum website and Facebook page. Judges for the photo contest will be professional photographer, Veretta Cobler and established make-up artist and hair stylist, Donna Fumoso based in New York City.
Photographs must be submitted via e-mail to [email protected]. All photos must be attached in JPEG format and limit file size to less than 2 MB. All entries will be confirmed via email. Photographers should submit (in their email) a title, along with their name, address, email, phone number and share a one or two sentence on what inspired the photo. If under 10 years old, please include parent’s information. Photos should be received via email by Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at the latest.
For more information, email [email protected] or by phone call 223-2700, ext. 5850.
