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 is part of the 20th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration that will take place in Fort Scott on October 5 -7, 2023. This is also a Lunch and Learn Event. Lunches are

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.

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.