JFK photo exhibit, events coming to Argenta

John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy are pictured in this example of a photo to be featured in an upcoming exhibit in Argenta.
John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy are pictured in this example of a photo to be featured in an upcoming exhibit in Argenta.

— More than 100 rare images capturing the life of President John F. Kennedy will be on display in a variety of locations in Argenta next month, organizers announced Tuesday.

The display, presented by North Little Rock-based Rogers Photo Archives and Argenta Images, will feature a number of rarely and never-before-seen images of the president in honor of the 50th anniversary of his death.

But the focus is on all that Kennedy achieved before being assassinated.

"The truth is this man lived an amazing life," said John Rogers, owner of the photo archive, at a news conference announcing it. "He did so much good for this world. We selected images not to focus on that horrible day in Dallas, but we wanted to show his youth leading up to that day."

The photos — which are drawn from the archive's partnerships with newspapers, magazines and other publications — will be displayed March 25-30 at several locations including The Joint, the Thea Foundation, Starving Artist Cafe and Greg Thompson Fine Art.

A series of events are also planned corresponding with the display, which is titled "JFK 50 Years Later." Among them, Gov. Mike Beebe will read Kennedy's inaugural address at noon March 26 on the steps of the Argenta Post Office, Oliver Stone's "JFK" will be screened March 28 at the Argenta Community Theater and an art auction including pieces inspired by Kennedy by Arkansas artists will close the week on March 30, also at the theater.

The exhibit itself will be free, while some of the events will be ticketed with funds going to support the Argenta Arts Foundation.

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