Texarkana’s own Henry Fort II is seeing his work travel far beyond the Red River Valley. The artist’s 2020 mixed‑media piece, “Scott Joplin at Orr School,” will be displayed at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City as part of the museum’s major exhibition “Ragtime: Cakewalk in Pianoland.” The show opened on Friday, Nov. 13, and will run through June 13, 2027.
Fort’s painting combines oil, applied stones and canvas to capture the formative years that ragtime composer Scott Joplin spent in Texarkana. The work was commissioned by Carol Collins‑Miles, volunteer director of the Scott Joplin Support Group, for the group’s “Scott Joplin’s Texarkana!” art collection. After being acquired at auction by Thomas and Leah Orr, the painting was loaned to the Morgan Library for the exhibition, according to an account in Upper East Side Texas magazine.
Why the exhibition matters to Texarkana
The Morgan Library’s exhibition explores ragtime’s development, its roots in African‑American musical traditions, and its lasting influence on American popular music. By featuring Fort’s portrait, the show highlights the often‑overlooked connection between Joplin’s early life and the small border city where he received his first musical instruction. For Texarkana residents, the inclusion offers a point of pride and a reminder that the city’s cultural contributions reach a national audience.
Joplin, known as the “King of Ragtime,” spent part of his youth in Texarkana, attending school and taking piano lessons before moving on to achieve worldwide fame with pieces such as “Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer.” The Morgan Library describes the exhibition as a seven‑section examination of ragtime, covering its ties to Broadway, film, and the emergence of jazz.
Local response
Community leaders in Texarkana have welcomed the news. Collins‑Miles said, “Seeing a Texarkana‑inspired work in a prestigious New York museum validates the artistic talent that thrives in our region.” The Orrs, who own a local antique shop, added that they hope the painting will inspire other local artists to pursue broader opportunities.
Fort, who splits his time between Texarkana and Austin, expressed gratitude for the platform. “It’s an honor to have my work represent our city’s role in the story of ragtime,” he said. “I hope visitors leave with a deeper appreciation for the cultural roots that Texarkana helped plant.”
The exhibition is free to the public, with tickets available through the Morgan Library’s website. For those unable to travel, the museum plans a series of virtual tours and educational webinars that will feature Fort’s painting and the broader narrative of ragtime’s evolution.
Texarkana residents interested in learning more about the city’s musical heritage can attend a local lecture series hosted by the Texarkana Historical Society later this month. The series will explore Joplin’s early years, the city’s role in early 20th‑century music, and the continuing impact of ragtime on contemporary artists.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
