The Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture (The Alliance) is relocating its traveling exhibition to the MLK Center in honor of Charlye Farris, the first African-American woman licensed to practice law in Texas, the first African-American attorney in Wichita County, and the first African-American to serve as a judge in the South since Reconstruction.

“It’s not often we have the chance to honor someone that is so close to us and so close to our community. This is our chance,” says Margie Reese, Senior Program Director for The Alliance. “There are countless people who are standing on her shoulders that she never met. That is a legacy. “

The traveling exhibition will be at the Martin Luther King Center on Smith Street from February 17 to March 5. The opening reception will take place on February 17 at the MLK Center. Join us for light refreshments and a special celebration that will take place from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

It will then travel to the Museum of North Texas History will host the exhibition from March 10 to March 17.

The exhibition is part of The Legends Project, a preservation project created by the Wichita Falls Alliance of Arts and Culture to highlight the contributions of African American leaders in our community.

The Alliance also you can help install a permanent, life-size bronze statue of Farris as part of “The Legends Project,” an effort to honor North Texas legends and trailblazers.

The Alliance has engaged Lubbock-based Master Sculptor Eddie Dixon to design and create the sculpture. The sculpture will be prominently located on the Wichita Courthouse Lawn, directly across from Farris’ longtime law offices.

“Charlye Farris is an inspiration to all of us. Her trailblazing accomplishments are worthy of commemorating for future generations,” says Ann Arnold-Ogden, Executive Director of The Alliance. “It is an honor to work with Wichita County and with Master Sculptor Eddie Dixon to pay tribute to her life and achievements.”

The Alliance has established a fund at the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation for anyone wishing to contribute to the project. Donations can also be made online at givebutter.com/TheLegendsProject or by texting LEGEND to 53-555.

All donations are tax-deductible.