Gordon Parks–noted African American photographer, film director, writer, and musician–is best known for his civil rights era photojournalism. The Learning Tree is his semi-autobiographical novel set in a small, rural Kansas town in the 1920s.
Note: Book Club will adjourn early to allow attendees the opportunity to attend the screening of The Learning Tree film (1969; 107 min), which Parks adapted from the novel.
VMFA Book Club
Using books about artists or works of art currently on view at VMFA to pique curiosity and open discussions, VMFA Book Club explores these specific works of art as well as the setting and period surrounding the art. Reading the book is helpful but not required. The VMFA Shop stocks a limited supply of each book.