(KAIR)--Atchison will celebrate Black History Month Wednesday with a ribbon cutting and ceremony, marking the newest mural in the city's downtown area.
According to a release from Visit Atchison, the "proud son of Atchison," Oscar "Heavy" Johnson, a 1920s Negro Leagues legend, is the focus of the mural, the latest from Atchison artist Vaughn Schultz. Schultz, the release says, has a "commitment to sharing our community's stories through art," as shown through his previous murals of Atchison's Jesse Stone, a rock and roll pioneer, and the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe.
Schultz's latest mural, the release says, "once again captures the essence of Atchison's rich heritage,"adding that the mural is more than art, as it "symbolizes our collective spirit and the powerful bond between art and community."
The ribbon cutting is planned for 5:30 Wednesday evening, at 807 Main Street, the drive-thru side of Kex Rx. Among the invited guests are Phil Dixon, representing the Kansas City Monarchs, and members of Atchison United and the Atchison Art Association.
Following the ribbon cutting, Dixon, an author and expert of Negro League baseball history, will serve as featured presenter for a discussion entitled "The Kansas City Monarchs and America's National Pastime." According to the release, Dixon's program "offers an in-depth look at the KC Monarchs' significant role in baseball history and its ties to our national pastime."
The program will be held, following the ribbon cutting, at the Atchison Board of Education Office Community Room, located at 626 Commercial Street.
Admission to both the ribbon cutting and presentation is free.
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