WICHITA FALLS – The Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture has joined forces with New York-based Lincoln Center Education to produce a mini-documentary exploring how Vernon, Texas became an example of the power of the arts to build bridges.

The film, entitled “Welcome To Vernon, Texas” features interviews with Vernon City Manager, Martin Magnum, Mayor of the City of Vernon, Pam Gosline, Amanda Lehman, Director of Vernon’s Main Street Services and Tourism, Leslie Schaffner, President/CEO of the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation and Ferdine Le Blanc, Artist and Art in Public Places Program Manager at The Alliance.

The virtual documentary screening will be followed by a discussion led by Margie Reese, Senior Programs Director at the Alliance, on the power of the arts.

The project is powered by Lincoln Center Activate, an initiative that offers arts professionals in the education and community engagement fields intensive, creative, and free professional development.

“The flourishing arts activity in Vernon and Wichita Falls shows what the arts can do to invigorate communities and stimulate productive civic dialogue,” says John Holyoke, Associate Director of Instructional Design and Delivery for Lincoln Center Education. “This kind of dialogue is of vital importance to sustaining the cultural traditions that advance equity and inclusion.”

The watch party will take place via Zoom on Thursday, March 16 at 11 am. You can register at wichitafallsarts.org.

On Friday, March 17 at 11 am, Lincoln Center Activate hosts another virtual event, “Stories as Shared Spaces.” This discussion, curated by Margie Reese, centers on the role of stories in forging identity and creating community.