Gordon Parks: The New Tide, Early Work 1940 - 1950

The pioneering African American photographer Gordon Parks (1912–2006) considered his work during the 1940s and ’50s to be the benchmark for his 60-year career. Focusing on extensive new research, "Gordon Parks: The New Tide, Early Work 1940–1950" documents the importance of Parks’s early experiences — from his immersion in the Chicago Black Renaissance to his friendships with Roy Stryker, Richard Wright, and Ralph Ellison — in shaping his groundbreaking, passionate vision.

The exhibition at the Cleveland Museum of Art traces his rapid evolution from an accomplished, self-taught practitioner to an independent artistic and journalistic voice widely communicating a meaningful and coherent understanding of critical social and cultural issues.

The exhibition run March 23 until June 9 at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Admission to the exhibit is free.

Where to Stay

There aren’t many neighborhoods in the country that pack as much art and culture into a few city blocks as University Circle. The Cleveland Museum of Art offers some of the best collections in the world, while the Museum of Contemporary Art showcases the most talented artists working today. Step back in time to explore the city’s history at the Cleveland History Center or go even further back to the time of dinosaurs at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
 
End your night taking in a performance from the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall, and you might just want to grab a nightcap and stay the night.

As always, you can enjoy world-class accommodations that are a short walk or rideshare away from some of the best culture in the country.