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With the assistance of
Gordon Parks, famed photographer and native son, five color photographs and
four black and white photographs have been added to the Gordon Parks
collection at Mercy Health Center.
Named in honor of his
parents, Sarah and Andrew Parks, the collection has grown to 51 photographs
and 14 poems. The poem, A Sign By the Road, Parks’ most recent poem
about his hometown was also added to the collection.
“This expansion of the
collection in honor of Gordon’s parents makes it the largest permanent
collection of his work surpassed only by the Library of Congress,” Mercy
Health Center Foundation President Ken Lunt.
Lunt initiated
conversations with Parks while the new Health Center was still under
construction about the possibility of placing a collection of his work at
the facility. Twenty-seven photographs were received in 2002 with another 15
photographs in 2003. The collection is owned by Mercy Health Center
Foundation.
“With the large expanse of
walls in the new Health Center and high traffic, it was an obvious location
for Gordon’s work,” stated Lunt. “Today, the collection is enjoyed by
patients, visitors, groups of school children and bus tours.”
A walking tour brochure was
developed by the Health Center to allow individuals and small groups to
enjoy unguided tours. Mercy Marketing and Development Dept. also provides
guided tours for larger groups.
Also being discussed is
production of an audio tour featuring Parks describing each of the
photographs. Individuals would be able to check out a cassette with
headphones and learn more about the background of each photograph.
In addition to the
photography and poem collection, a bust of Gordon Parks was donated to the
health center by Gordon’s son, David Parks of Austin, Texas. The bust,
designed by sculptor Jonas Perkins of Houston, TX, is on display in the
lobby of the health center.
According to hospital
officials, the collection contributes to a holistic approach to health care
in which the total needs of an individual are addressed including body, mind
and spirit.
For more information on
the collection or to arrange a tour call Mercy Marketing and Development at
223-7026. |
