Auction to benefit Parks Museum

One of the 30 chairs that will be auctioned off Nov. 30 as part of the Gordon Parks Museum's Chair-ity Auction fundraiser is pictured here. The goal is to raise funds for expanded children's programming at the Fort Scott facility. (Submitted Photo)

The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Gordon Parks' birthday on the evening of Nov. 30, 2012 with a "Chair-ity Auction" fundraiser.

Proceeds will benefit children's programming at the museum. "We have children's programming at the annual Gordon Parks Celebration and we would to like to expand those offerings throughout the year," said Jill Warford, Gordon Parks Museum director. "We plan to add more workshops and displays that are 'kid-friendly.' Monies raised from the auction will go toward that end. I can't think of a better way to honor Gordon Parks than by promoting his work to kids."

The basic premise of the fundraiser was that area artists, students and crafters took a new or used chair, painted and decorated it using a specific theme, and then donated it to the museum to be auctioned.

Submitted Photo

"We have 30 chairs that have already been turned in and they have many different themes to them -- from a breast cancer awareness chair to a 'tea-time' chair to a director's chair signed by Adam, Andy, and Dave LaRoche," Warford said. "We have placed the chairs in businesses around town to promote the auction."

People may also see the chairs on the Gordon Parks Museum Facebook page.

"We will probably have around 50 chairs to auction off on Nov. 30. Some will be silent auction and some will be live," said Warford. "It will be a fun evening with refreshments, music and more."

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the auction starts at 7 p.m. The event is free. For more information contact the Gordon Parks Museum at (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850, or by email at gordonparkscenter@fortscott.edu.