Emporians are served on the first Friday of each month with monthly art galleries spread throughout campus and downtown hosted by Emporia First Friday Art Walk. Behind each sculpture, painting, and mixed-media installation, there’s a story to tell.
Retired sailor Gary Van Syoc displayed his miniaturized naval deck gun replica at the Annual Veteran Artist Exhibition held in the Emporia Arts Center. Gary was inspired to make his replica cannons, of which he has several, out of the sheer desire to own one.
“I went to all the museums when I lived in D.C. for a couple years and I’d see these guns and here I am, a Kansas hayseed, and I wanted a real gun, but I couldn’t afford one. My brother was a machinist, I’m the woodworker, and I said let’s make us a couple navy deck (guns),” Van Syoc said.
But his art isn’t just for show: it works too.
“Now we got two of those, we got six barrels. And it shoots. Kicks back about four foot,” he said.
Inspiration for the art on display in Emporia on Nov. 3ranged from the practical to the philanthropic.
Artist Deon Morrow is a board member of the nonprofit House of Morrow, which looks to empower local Emporians through artistic expression.
“I grew up here, I have a really strong love for our community, and I’m an artist,” Morrow said. “My community has made it possible for me to do amazing things, and the only way I know how to give back without giving millions of dollars is to incorporate art and to help people feel pride for our city. And it’s not that hard. Art as a vehicle for education and inclusivity is the best way to do that.”
House of Morrow’s next service project will help students at Walnut Elementary use art to express what they want to see in the Emporia community.
“We’re getting in contact with the kids that are going to be taking over Emporia, and if we can give them pride, they can tell us what they want and we can help them implement it. If they build it, they’re probably not going to leave.”
For more information on House of Morrow, you can visit their Instagram @hom.thehouseofmorrow.
