On Wednesday, February 12th, a group of advanced sculpture students from Florida State University School (FSUS) will spend the day at the beautifully renovated Rockwood Ceramics Pavillion at LeMoyne Arts. While this will be a new experience for these particular students, it will be the 10th year that sculpture students from FSUS have spent the day on LeMoyne’s campus using the open-air facility. LeMoyne Arts is dedicated to supporting local art educators and enriching the experiences of student artists and is happy to open the campus for a day full of art making. Also supporting this year’s FSUS student raku firing by covering the expense of propane and glazes is an educational grant from COCA (Council on Culture and the Arts) and sponsorship from the Florida State University School PTSA.

FSUS students first visited LeMoyne Arts for a smoke firing in 2016 with local artist Mary Donahue and Nancy Jefferson, starting this tradition of annual alternative firings. This year students will participate in a raku firing, which originated in the late 16th Century in Japan. The “Americanized” version produces results that while somewhat controlled, allow for changes in surface color that are not always predictable.

This year’s raku firing is anticipating a few guests. Ashton Davis, a graduate student from the FSU College of Education, who will graduate in May with her master’s degree in art education, Akshar and Krishna Patel, sibling potters from Baum Road Studio and slated to join the day’s firing.
Both Krishna and Akshar were introduced to the raku process at FSUS, graduated from the school with successful AP 3D portfolios. The pair have been very involved with LeMoyne over the years, and their participation in this firing brings everything full circle.

For more information, please contact LeMoyne Arts Education Director, Kylie Nerney ([email protected] | 850.222.8800)

Exhibition Dates:
Thursday, March 6 - Saturday, April 5, 2025

Opening Reception:
Thursday, March 6, 2025
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Special Event:
Cookies & Lemonade,
Saturday, March 8, 2025,
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
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TALLAHASSEE, FL -- LeMoyne Arts is proud to announce the opening of the 38th Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition: High School Art & Senior Portfolio Competition, a cherished annual tradition that celebrates the immense talent and creativity of high school-aged artists in Leon County. The exhibition, kindly presented by WestScott Construction with generous support from Leon County Schools will open with a reception on Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, and will be on view until Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Since its inception in 1988, the Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition has provided a platform for local high school students to showcase their artwork in a professional gallery setting. This unique opportunity not only highlights the exceptional skills of Tallahassee’s young artists but also fosters their passion for the arts by encouraging participation in the creative community.

Special Cookies & Lemonade Event
To further celebrate these young artists, LeMoyne Arts will host a delightful Cookies & Lemonade event on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. This family-friendly gathering invites the community to come together, enjoy refreshments, and admire the outstanding work of these talented students.

Honoring Creativity and Supporting Future Artists
All Leon County high school students enrolled in art courses are invited to participate in this vibrant exhibition. Each year, a panel of esteemed judges from local collegiate art programs reviews the student submissions, awarding art supply gift certificates to winners and providing college scholarships to senior portfolio winners. These awards are made possible through the generous support of local individuals and businesses, whose contributions underscore the importance of nurturing the next generation of artists.

Join Us in Celebrating Young Talent
LeMoyne Arts invites the community to attend this inspiring exhibition and celebrate the creativity and dedication of Tallahassee’s high school artists. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the extraordinary potential of the area’s young creatives and support their journey in the arts.