Kansas State University

search

Beach Blog

Category: Programs

Posted on by jharlan

Photo of performing artist and concert announcement

Attend the debut performance of “Self Portrait: Gordon Parks”
by Nate McClendon, saxophonist & Teaching Artist in Residence
at the Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University.
Sunday, May 1st, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
Blue Sage Barn at Prairiewood
1484 Wildcat Creek Road, Manhattan, KS 66503
The presentation is FREE and open to the public.

Best known for his photography, Gordon Parks was also a musician, author, and filmmaker. Born in Fort Scott, Parks remains one of the most prominent and influential artists Kansas has ever produced. His work and philosophies will be shared through music composed and performed by Nate McClendon. “Self Portrait: Gordon Parks” is a traveling exploration of the current exhibition “Gordon Parks: ‘Homeward to the Prairie I Come’” at the Beach Museum of Art.

Recap: Outstanding collaboration between the Beach Museum of Art & McCain Auditorium

Posted on by jharlan

3 Men seated on an auditorium stage

Earlier this month, the Beach Museum of Art in collaboration with McCain Auditorium brought three distinguished guest artists to K-State for a residency and two public programs. This included six-time Grammy winning musician and composer Terence Blanchard, multimedia artist Andrew F. Scott and Oscar winning screenwriter and director Kevin Willmott (pictured left to right). While here, Mr. Blanchard visited Manhattan High School and gave an inspiring speech to students of the junior class. He also attended a rehearsal of Professor Wayne Goins’ K-State Jazz Ensemble where he listened in and led a group critique. That evening at McCain Auditorium, the conversation Art Matters Now: Three Artists Reflect featured a panel discussion between Mr. Blanchard, Mr. Scott and Mr. Willmott. Each shared their thoughts on the enduring legacy of Kansas native Gordon Parks. They explored ideas about how creativity may be used to promote and inspire societal change. Citing a range of mediums including music, art, film and photography, the discussion centered on the role that representation plays in building empathy.

Photo of concert with trumpet and guitar players

A concert held the following night, Presence of Absence: Gordon Parks through an Empathic Lens, featured Terence Blanchard on trumpet along with the E-Collective and the Turtle Island Quartet. Set against a dynamic virtual backdrop, the kaleidoscope of imagery included a montage of Gordon Parks’ photographs juxtaposed with text as well as images from the live performance. Created by artist and digital mastermind Andrew F. Scott, in collaboration with students from UT Dallas and K-State, the visuals evolved in real time in sync with the music. The riveting performance capped off an exceptional series of programs centered on the Beach Museum’s exhibition Gordon Parks: “Homeward to the Prairie I Come” on view in the Pelton Gallery through May 28, 2022. Click here to view the virtual exhibition.

Photos courtesy of Roxanne Minnish.

Coming Soon: An inspiring fusion of visual and musical art forms

Posted on by jharlan

The Beach Museum of Art in collaboration with McCain Auditorium is pleased to present a public conversation and performance related to the Gordon Parks exhibition, Gordon Parks: “Homeward to the Prairie I Come.” Join us for two very special programs April sixth and seventh in the McCain Auditorium at Kansas State University.

Gordon Parks has influenced countless artists to help us understand ourselves and our society in new, empowering ways. Three artists who revere Parks as a mentor will hold a public conversation. They are six-time Grammy winning jazz musician and composer Terence Blanchard, University of Texas Dallas multimedia artist Andrew F. Scott, and Academy Award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker Kevin Willmott. Each has a vision for how the arts can function as a tool for making our society more just and equitable.

Public Conversation
Art Matters Now: Three Artists Reflect
Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 7 p.m.
McCain Auditorium | Free admission
Kansas State University, 1501 Goldstein Circle, Manhattan, KS 66506
A conversation with Andrew F. Scott, Kevin Willmott and Terence Blanchard. Free, no ticket required.
To join the livestream program via Zoom, please register by clicking here.

Photographs of artist Andrew Scott, filmmaker Kevin Willmott, and musician Terence Blanchard

Andrew F. Scott has been working with a group of K-State students under the direction of Art Department head Matthew Gaynor on a unique digital stage set for the performance of Terence Blanchard and his band, the E-Collective.

Performance
Presence of Absence: Gordon Parks Through an Empathic Lens
Thursday, April 7, 7:30 p.m.
McCain Auditorium | Free admission
Kansas State University, 1501 Goldstein Circle, Manhattan, KS 66506
Six-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard and the E-Collective in Concert, with staging by K-State students under the direction of Andrew F. Scott and Matthew Gaynor.
Free, ticket is required. Tickets available beginning March 23, 2022, at the McCain Ticket Office, Wed. – Fri. 12 – 4 p.m. or by phone at 785-532-6428. Tickets are not available online.

Terence Blanchard photo by Daymon Gardner, Kevin Willmott photo by Kacy Meinecke, Andrew F. Scott photo by Sarah N. Wall.