The Parsons Arts and Humanities Council presents “The Leap to Illustration: Works by John Hare” art show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Carnegie Arts Center, 117 S. 17th, Parsons.
John Hare spent his youth in Parsons drawing comic strips about snakes, making spoof yearbooks to entertain his friends and writing stories about a crime-fighting crocodile. At some point, he decided he should do something for a living, so John earned an associate’s degree in graphic design at Labette Community College and got a job as a production artist at a sportswear company. There he worked his way through a comically bizarre work environment to become art director. Art director tasks included rescuing hummingbirds, fixing broken pneumatic presses and playing lots of video games. Later, he moved to Kansas City and worked as a freelance graphic designer. One day, John picked up a brush and painted a scene for his son’s nursery. That’s when he realized he still wanted nothing more than to bring stories to life. He now lives in Gladstone, Missouri, with his wife, two teenage children and his dog, Jack.
The Parsons Arts and Humanities show is in conjunction with the all-day PK Festival of the Arts on Oct. 5. This event will include art, demonstrations, music, food and special events in downtown Parsons.
