20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration

Join us at the Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College, October 5th through 7th, 2023 for the 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration!

Complete listing and event details may be found at gordonparkscenter.org

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).