Decades after Gordon Parks strolled the streets of St. Paul armed with a camera, his family and supporters are taking steps to memorialize the legendary photographer in the city where he got his start.
Residents interested in learning more about a plan to develop a Gordon Parks Memorial in downtown St. Paul can contribute ideas for it during the city's annual Rondo Days celebration Saturday.
"Gordon Parks will once again take his rightful place in downtown St. Paul to be a symbol for others," said his great-niece Robin Hickman.
Parks, who died in 2006 at age 93, launched his career as a photographer in the 1940s when he was given the chance to photograph gowns for Frank Murphy's St. Paul clothing store.
He went on to capture American culture in his photographs "with a focus on race relations, poverty, civil rights, and urban life," shooting such notable people as Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X for Life magazine, according to the Gordon Parks Foundation.
In addition to his work with a camera, Parks was also an accomplished composer, author and filmmaker.
The memorial site is planned for the Landmark Center plaza, near the spot where he got his first break at Frank Murphy's, and the St. Paul Hotel, where he also worked.
The memorial idea was first discussed in 2006, months after Parks died, Hickman said. It was formally launched in 2011, after Hickman received state grant money to help with her "In the Footsteps of Gordon Parks" initiative to continue Parks' legacy.
