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Family, friends and nearly 300 members of the community gathered at LeMoyne for the 36th Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition: High School Art and Senior Portfolio Competition on Thursday evening, March 9. This celebrated annual event gives high school students the opportunity to display their best work in an art gallery. 160 young artists participated this year in an eclectic display that included everything from photography and ceramics to paintings and digital art. This year, 21 Leon County High School students are receiving a total of $7,600 in awards and college scholarships. The total award value is determined by generous community support. Parents snapped pictures of their children, congratulating them on their proud achievements. This annual event gives high school students from across Leon County the chance to gain recognition for their hard work and talent. Entering this exhibition introduces students to the process of professional presentation and gives them an opportunity to have their art portfolios reviewed by art industry professionals. In awarding scholarships and other prizes to competition winners, LeMoyne Arts’ annual Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition supports and encourages local young artists to continue to develop their talents and to pursue a life-long interest in art. Founder Mahaska Whitley, esteemed former Leon High School art teacher and art department director, together with LeMoyne Arts’ founding Executive Director Dick L. Puckett, envisioned this exhibit and competition as a way to inspire local young artists to further their arts education. “I was in this show 22 years ago,” said one attendee, reminiscing as she viewed the budding talent on display. LeMoyne works closely with high school art teachers to coordinate this annual show, and recruits local arts professionals to serve as judges. Works are judged on originality, professional quality, and aesthetic quality. Entire senior portfolios were also evaluated for scholarship consideration. In this fair and equal process, judges do not know the name of the student, their school, or any identifying Information. This year’s panel of judges included: Dr. Nan Lui from Florida A&M University, Julie Baroody from Tallahassee Community College, and Dr. Susan Davis Baldino from Florida State University. The awards ceremony took place in LeMoyne’s newly renovated gardens. “Oh my, this looks amazing!” said one attendee as she walked down the cobblestone path, admiring the water fountains and garden sculptures from LeMoyne’s permanent collection. As dusk settled, lanterns throughout the landscaping illuminated the garden, sculptures, and paths. Mahaska Whitley, exhibition founder; Rocky Hanna, Superintendent of schools for Leon County; Michael T. “Mick” Callahan, prominent St. Petersburg attorney and founder of the Matt Callahan Memorial Scholarship Fund; and Roseanne Wood, member of the Leon County School Board presented the awards to the excited young artists. “Even if you don’t win tonight, just having your art hanging in a gallery, a gallery like LeMoyne, is huge. This is art in the community,” said Roseanne Wood to the audience. “The art this year is amazing. The talent we have here in Leon County is incredible.” There are a total of four awards categories, with multiple winners in each category except for the Founder’s Award, which has only one winner personally selected by Founder Mahaska Whitley. Senior Portfolio Artist Award winners receive scholarship money for college. Winners in the other categories earn gift cards for art supplies. The 2023 Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition Winners and their artwork are as follows. Founder’s Award Khawla Ezzagaghi (Chiles) "It’s a Guy" Senior Portfolio Artist Scholarship Awards Jessie Powell (Chiles) Matt Callahan Memorial $1000.00 “Reclamation” Charlotte Spinks (Lincoln) Ann Kirn Memoria $1000.00 “Itch” Sean Collins (Leon) Steve Uhlfelder Memorial $1000.00 “Consecration Rot” Kendall Sampson (Leon) Leon County Schools $1000.00 “Hypochondriac” Genesis Barrios (Lincoln) Mad Dog Construction $1000.00 “Error: In Love” Amelia Jones (Lincoln) Contemporary $500.00 "Differing Perspectives" Anabelle Goddard (Leon) Aesthete $500.00 "Andromeda" Madi St. John (SAIL) Apalachee Center $500.00 "Cecropia" Siena Bond (Leon) Capital City Bank $500.00 "The Stray" Emerging Artists-Awards Jazlyn Howell (Chiles) "Which One" Laila Alexander(Chiles) "Dysmorphia” Emmalina Starnes (Leon) “Yara” General Artist Awards Sydney Gibson (Rickards) "Billie Eilish" Ava Jones (Lincoln) "Time Out" Kalyn Harrison (FSUS) "Dragonfly Diptych" Irene Wolf (SAIL) "Metallic" Marina Stolley Villanueva (SAIL) "Cambur Colorida" Sara Johnsen (SAIL) "Mountain Moonfall" Katherine Gorkov (Maclay) "Darling Madeline" Cam Fudge (FSUS) "Seasons" The 2023 Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition was made possible by support from: Matt Callahan Family & friends, Laurie & Kelly Dozier, Leon County School District, Mad Dog Construction, Ann Kim Memorial Fund, Capital City Bank, Apalachee Center, Susan Frisbee & Kirk Zinkowski, and others. A list of all the donors and sponsors that made this exhibit possible can be found on LeMoyne’s website, at lemoyne.org/mwse. The exhibit is open to the community until March 30th, so please come out to support the amazing talents of our local young artists. The LeMoyne Arts Gallery is open to the public from 11 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. For exhibits, events, classes and more, visit www.LeMoyne.org. To get regular updates, subscribe to LeMoyne’s email newsletter and “like” its Facebook page at facebook.com/LeMoyneArts About LeMoyne Arts: LeMoyne Arts has been at the heart of Tallahassee’s cultural and visual arts for 60 years. Its signature events are an important part of our community’s cultural life. LeMoyne has made the arts more accessible to people of all ages and economic levels, promoted and supported the work of local artists, and generated millions of dollars for our local economy. LeMoyne’s education programs have nurtured the artistic talent of four generations of Tallahassee families. For Media Inquiries Contact: Arielle Raff, Executive Director, LeMoyne Arts, at [email protected], 850/222-8800, 125 N. Gadsden Street Tallahassee, FL 32301. LeMoyne is very excited to announce that its new rain garden is complete and helping to manage the rainwater as intended! LeMoyne is grateful to the City of Tallahassee’s TAPP program for providing design guidelines and a grant for the purchase of the plantings. Our friends Donna Lagare, Jody Walthall and Jackson Strauss from Native Nurseries specified and delivered the plants, soil amendments and pine straw, and helped to plant the three River Birch trees which will also offer shade in the summer months. As LeMoyne developed its Art for Always Master Plan, a major goal was to better manage the stormwater on the property. For decades, unmanaged rainwater flowed off the building roofs and down the sloped property causing erosion in the landscape and splash on the buildings causing wood rot. When dear friend Dr. Charlie Rockwood came for a tour of LeMoyne and saw the water issues at LeMoyne he commented that he had to help get this fixed so that the beautiful sculptures in the garden did not have to suffer in the “swamp jungle” anymore. With a generous donation from Dr. Rockwood, new gutters, downspouts and strategically placed underground piping, was installed around the Meginnis-Munroe House protecting the building and making the new gardens much less susceptible to erosion. So where does all the collected water go? To slow down the water flow and help keep most of it on site, LeMoyne designed and installed a beautiful rain garden integrated into its landscaping. The design adds landscape interest to the gardens and serves as an educational component demonstrating how functional and beautiful rain gardens are while helping to reduce stormwater runoff and improve ground water quality.
LeMoyne Arts starts 2023 with an exciting mixed-media exhibit. ‘Passionate Journey,’ featuring Eluster Richardson and 17 supporting artists, had its opening reception on Thursday, January 19th with over 300 attending. Old friends and family came together to enjoy inspiring sculptures, paintings and photography. Eluster Richardson, the featured artist, is a Tallahassee native, and a local favorite. He was ‘Best in Show’ winner at LeMoyne’s 2022 Chain of Parks Art Festival. Richardson’s new work includes several bronze statues and oil canvases, inspiring exploration of Tallahassee’s Local and regional history. “They pull you in. I’ve been to some of these places, and I love the way Eluster captures the motions of the animals and the trees,” said one attendee as he looked at ‘Wood Storks on Bottom Road’, one of Richardson’s many oil canvas pieces on display. A line of art patrons formed to get into the LeMoyne gallery as art enthusiast and leaders in the Tallahassee community poured in. The halls and galleries were packed. Laughter and conversation swirled with the music presented by singer/songwriter Madison Avery as visitors greeted the artists and each other. Stan Johnson, one of the artists in the exhibit, commented that he loved the reception, and he was proud of what he was able to create. Another exhibiting artist, Rolex J. Saint Preux, loved seeing the community support their local artists. “It’s not every day that you can experience this in Tallahassee. Especially for art.” As a special treat to honor the African American experience, the Ayoka Afrikan Drum & Dance Troupe put on a show, thrilling the audience. “Did something change these past few years?” said one attendee as she was leaving. She was smiled as she told the LeMoyne staff what a great job they did. A cheerful couple who are planning their wedding at LeMoyne this spring were wowed to see how far the garden renovation, which is a part of LeMoyne’s Art for Always master plan, has come along. The ‘Passionate Journey’ exhibit will be on display for a month, ending on Saturday, February 25th. LeMoyne Arts invites the community to bring their family and support Tallahassee’s local and regional artist. Upcoming Events: Muffins & Mimosas Reception, February 4th, 2023, 11:00 am – Noon About LeMoyne Arts Since 1963, LeMoyne Arts has been true to its founding principles: promote the work of local artists and preserve Florida’s art heritage. Through regularly changing exhibitions, LeMoyne offers inclusive and varied programs that appeal to a large constituency. LeMoyne fosters active collaborations with artists and partners with a wide range of institutions including local public and private schools, the Council on Culture and Arts, the FSU Museum of Fine Arts, the FAMU Foster Tanner Gallery, local businesses, and nonprofits. Learn more about LeMoyne Arts at lemoyne.org.
Tallahassee, Fla -- At its annual Art & Soul Celebration, held October 20 at the Tallahassee Garden Center, LeMoyne Arts announced the winners of its 2022 arts volunteer awards. Foremost among the winners is prominent Tallahasseean Paula S. Fortunas who received the Richard L. Puckett Leadership in Arts award for her role as Chair of LeMoyne’s Art for Always Capital Campaign. This award is named for LeMoyne’s first Executive Director, Richard L. Puckett. Dan Taylor, local artist and last year’s Puckett Award winner, presented the award. Fortunas received the Puckett Award sculpture, which is carved and donated each year by nationally and internationally renowned Tallahassee sculptor Anthony Quickle. Under Fortunas’ direction, LeMoyne has raised some $2.5 million toward its goal of $3.2 million to fund the purchase and renovation of LeMoyne’s new education building, renovation and expansion of LeMoyne’s ever popular gardens, design and construction of a new plaza and a gazebo, repurposing of its former education building into ceramics classrooms and leased artist studios, and creation of a facilities maintenance endowment fund. Much of the success of LeMoyne’s Capital Campaign is due to the capable leadership of Fortunas. In acknowledging her award, Fortunas said, “The Art for Always master plan and its associated capital campaign represent LeMoyne’s covenant with the future for the arts in this region. While I am honored to receive the Puckett Award, the campaign’s success is attributable to the efforts and generosity of countless arts advocates, donors, the LeMoyne Board of Directors and its cohort of volunteers. Fundraising is definitely a team sport.” Now retired, Fortunas’ distinguished career perfected the skills and expertise leading to her success as Chair of LeMoyne’s Capital Campaign. It included a variety of professional roles―first at Florida State University (FSU), where she was Foundation CFO and VP for Planned Giving, as well as adjunct faculty, and then as VP of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) hospital and later President and CEO of the TMH Foundation. In addition to her tenure on the LeMoyne Arts Board of Directors, she has served on numerous councils and boards, including such arts–related organizations as Tallahassee’s Artists Series, Word of South Festival, the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala, and the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, to name only a few. Volunteer of the Year Awards Also receiving LeMoyne Arts awards the same evening were Danny Allen, named 2022 Volunteer of the Year, and Cyrus Paul, selected as Student Volunteer of the Year. Their many hours of hard work have given LeMoyne much needed extra hands maintaining its appearance and fostering administrative efficiency. Allen, a local entrepreneur, first volunteered to assist with the Chain of Parks Festival, then found his various skills dovetailed with LeMoyne’s need for help maintaining the gallery’s front yard and gardens, allowing him to spend treasured time outdoors. His energy, kindness, and great communication skills have made him indispensable to LeMoyne Arts. Said Allen, “I feel very much appreciated by everyone at LeMoyne Arts. Volunteering at the gallery has been a joy for me and I look forward to expanded responsibilities.” Cyrus Paul is a senior at FSU working towards a degree in music. He hopes to pursue a master’s degree and then a career in Arts Administration. “It’s been great learning about all of the moving parts that help an organization run, and I’m honored to have been a part of that process. I’ve loved being able to contribute to something greater than myself. Being in the presence of such amazing works of art has also been a highlight of my time here.” Art for Always Capital Campaign LeMoyne’s Art for Always campaign is ensuring it will continue its mission of service to our community for years to come. LeMoyne Arts has been at the heart of Tallahassee’s cultural and visual arts for nearly 60 years. LeMoyne’s education programs have nurtured the artistic talent of four generations of Tallahassee families, and its signature events are an important part of our community’s cultural life. LeMoyne has made the arts more accessible to people of all ages and economic levels, promoted and supported the work of local artists, and generated millions of dollars for our local economy through events such as its annual multicultural Holiday Show (this year’s theme is Happy Holly Days) and the annual Chain of Parks Art Festival. For more information or to make a donation to LeMoyne’s Art for Always campaign, please contact Paula Fortunas at 850-933-2770 or [email protected]. If contributing by check, make it payable to LeMoyne Arts, write Art for Always on the check's memo line, and mail to: 125 North Gadsden Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301. Thank you for helping LeMoyne create community through art. For Media Inquiries Contact: Arielle Raff, Executive Director, LeMoyne Arts, at [email protected], 850/222-8800, 125 N. Gadsden Street Tallahassee, FL 32301.
TALLAHASSEE, FL — LeMoyne Arts’ 59th annual Holiday Show themed, “Happy Holly Days” opens on November 25 running through December 24 at 125 N Gadsden St. With support of presenting sponsor, the City of Tallahassee Utilities, WestScott Construction Inc., and others, this show has something for everyone to enjoy. Artisan-made, one-of-a-kind gifts, decor, ornaments, and art is displayed in holiday style featuring pieces from more than 50 local and regional artisans. A family tradition for four generations, the show is both an art spectacular to enjoy and a one-stop-shop for unique, affordable, and handmade local gifts for the whole family.
The show will include several Special Events and workshops to celebrate the season with the community. Special Events include a Muffins & Mimosas: Ugly Sweater Contest Edition, Sparkles & Spirits Cocktail Party, Festive Family Fun Day, and a Multicultural Holiday Celebration. ““The LeMoyne Holiday Show has always been a tradition for our family as it has for so many. I grew up attending the show with my mother and remember the anticipation of seeing the gallery in full holiday splendor - brimming with beautiful works of art. It remains a magical experience and we continue to be awed and delighted each year,” says Stephanie Whitfield. Opening on Friday, November 25, LeMoyne Arts members enjoy an exclusive first look of the show from 9-11 a.m. while the public is invited at noon. Live music by Elsinore Sewing Club begins the holiday fun from 12-1 p.m. and Hot Tamale plays from 4-7 p.m. Entry is free for LeMoyne Art members and children 12 and younger, $5 for ages 13 and older, which includes re-entry for future visits throughout the run of the show (excluding some special events). Open November 25-December 24:
Featured Special Events: Muffins & Mimosas: Ugly Sweater Contest Edition Saturday, December 10, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sparkles & Spirits Cocktail Party Thursday, December 15, 5:30-7 p.m.
Festive Family Fun Day Saturday, December 17, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Multicultural Holiday Celebration Tuesday, December 20, 5:30-7 p.m.
About LeMoyne Arts Since 1963, LeMoyne Arts has been true to its founding principles: promote the work of local artists and preserve Florida’s art heritage. Through regularly changing exhibitions, LeMoyne offers inclusive and varied programs that appeal to a large constituency. LeMoyne fosters active collaborations with artists and partners with a wide range of institutions including local public and private schools, the Council on Culture and Arts, the FSU Museum of Fine Arts, the FAMU Foster Tanner Gallery, local businesses, and nonprofits. Learn more about LeMoyne Arts at lemoyne.org. More about LeMoyne’s 59th Annual Holiday Show at lemoyne.org/holidayshow. Tallahassee, Fla --You have probably seen his people throughout Tallahassee and elsewhere without even realizing it. You may have seen his children reading at the Leon County Public Library or playing in the park across from the Governor’s Mansion. You may have been seated next to an older veteran on a bench at the World War II Memorial and talked to him of life, politics, or the weather. FSU’s Bobby Bowden is one of his fellows. So are the Heisman Trophy winners at the University of Florida. And soon, you will find one of his very special people at LeMoyne Arts’ revitalized and enhanced garden.
Who is “he” and who are his “people”? He is W. Stanley "Sandy" Proctor, a native Tallahasseean and renowned American painter and sculptor, who has more than a dozen sculptures on display in and around Tallahassee. His works appear in the British Museum, the Smithsonian, the White House, and in outdoor settings across the US. While Proctor has worked in several media, he is best known for his bronze figures—his “people”. Inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2006, Sandy Proctor has also received many other awards, most notably, the National Sculpture Society's American Artists Professional League Award for a traditional realistic depiction in sculpture. Many art collectors value his figurative and commissioned works as among the finest examples of life–size sculpture available today. LeMoyne Arts is delighted and proud to announce that Sandy Proctor is donating a beautiful bronze sculpture, one of his extraordinary lifelike “people”, for the renovated and expanded gardens at LeMoyne Arts, to be installed once the garden’s current expansion is complete. Because of Proctor’s generous donation, LeMoyne will have a “little gardener” to enchant children and adults alike. The piece, entitled Lilies, will join LeMoyne’s impressive permanent collection of works by other illustrious sculptors, including Fred Holschuh, Roland Hockett, and Ralph Hurst. The LeMoyne Arts Garden For decades, LeMoyne’s garden has been one of Tallahassee’s most popular venues for weddings, receptions, and special events. The garden holds thirteen sculptures and fountains designed by seven Florida artists. LeMoyne’s garden is a point of community pride and a beacon to tourists and local visitors alike. But, it is more than just a beautiful venue for events. Gardens often play a variety of roles in a community. Foremost, a garden such as LeMoyne’s connects us to nature, and as humans, we need that connection for our minds, our bodies, and our spirits. LeMoyne’s outdoor display gardens and natural areas also serve to inspire the home gardener for what is possible in their own yard. It helps pollinators by creating inviting habitats for them as well as for people. The expansions and enhancement presently underway at LeMoyne’s garden will make it even more engaging than ever. They include a new gazebo, significantly improved accessibility for persons with disabilities, refurbished fountains and sculptures, new plantings, a Japanese–style garden, and now a beautiful new sculpture by Tallahassee’s own Sandy Proctor. The Perfect Match: Sandy Proctor and LeMoyne Arts LeMoyne Arts offers a myriad of art education classes and has recently focused on bringing more varied, fun, interesting, and educational programs for all ages. Today, Proctor’s career in the arts can serve as an inspiration to the children and amateur artists who participate in LeMoyne’s programs because he is a self-taught artist who turned a hobby into a fulfilling career later in life. As a child and young man, he sketched and painted what he knew and what inspired him. His love of the outdoors, birds, flowers, trees, landscapes and animals provided Proctor with a wealth of subject matter, which helped him perfect his abilities to capture an identifiable essence and realism in his work. Initially working in the family business and raising his family here in Tallahassee, his painting “hobby” began to take more and more of his time. As he honed his talents, people became increasingly interested in his artwork until, at the age of 40, he began to devote his efforts full–time to his art. Proctor started as a painter, working in watercolor, oils, and acrylics. From painting, he began pursuing more three-dimensional mediums, eventually specializing in bronze sculpture. Proctor has completed numerous public and private commissions, providing both life–size and monumental bronzes. He notes, “The human form, from the freedom of childhood to distinguished seniority, has always moved me. I strive to capture the emotion, personality, grace, and honor of all my subject matter and have been fortunate to be chosen to sculpt many private and public monuments. Creating a sculpture for LeMoyne has allowed me to combine my love of the outdoors with my love of the human form.” Creating Community Through Art LeMoyne Arts has been at the heart of Tallahassee’s cultural and visual arts for nearly 60 years. Its signature events are an important part of our community’s cultural life. LeMoyne has made the arts more available and understandable to people of all ages and economic levels, promoted and supported the work of local artists, and generated millions of dollars for our local economy through events such as its annual holiday show and the Chain of Parks Art Festival. LeMoyne’s education programs have nurtured the artistic talent of four generations of Tallahassee families. To preserve its mission of service to our community for generations to come, LeMoyne Arts developed and adopted its Art for Always master plan and associated capital campaign to fund a new education center, ceramics firing pavilion, artists' studios, other facilities improvements and additions, along with the expansions and enhancements presently underway in LeMoyne’s gardens -- a new gazebo, significantly improved accessibility for all, refurbished fountains and sculptures, new plantings, a Japanese–style garden, an African American Tribute Garden, a Jewish Community Tribute Garden, and now a beautiful new sculpture by Tallahassee’s own Sandy Proctor. The Art for Always capital campaign goal is $3,200,000 -- $2,700,000 for capital improvements and $500,000 for facilities endowment. LeMoyne has experienced amazing success by raising $2,473,197 from June 2021 to the present. However, its work is not done, and your help is needed to fully realize the vision and objectives of the Art for Always master plan and to achieve the capital campaign goal. Please join in supporting Art for Always by making your personal contribution. If you wish to give by check, please make it payable to LeMoyne Arts and mail it to 125 North Gadsden Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301 or please donate online at lemoyne.org/art-for-always.html. For gifts other than check or credit card, please contact Arielle Raff, LeMoyne Executive Director, [email protected]. For Media Inquiries Contact: Arielle Raff, Executive Director, LeMoyne Arts, at [email protected], 850/222-8800, 125 N. Gadsden Street Tallahassee, FL 32301. LeMoyne Arts Offers Art Education College Scholarships
Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition: High School Art & Senior Portfolio Competition March 8 – March 31, 2019 Tallahassee, FL – (February 8, 2019) High School students in Leon County have a unique opportunity to help fund their college education by competing their artistic endeavors against those of their peers. LeMoyne Arts will be hosting the 32nd annual Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition: High School Art & Senior Portfolio Competition from March 8 – March 31. Over 600 students, teachers and guests will attend the opening reception and award ceremony on the evening of March 7 from 5 - 7:30PM at LeMoyne Arts. This local tradition is open to all Leon County high school age students from public, private and home schools to participate. The top award winners of the Senior Portfolio competition receive scholarships to college. The award categories include; Emerging, General and Senior. Special recognition is also awarded in Photography and Founder’s awards. Last year a new award, "No Place for Hate," was added. This year will debut the Matt Callahan Memorial Scholarship Fund established in memory of Matt Callahan, a talented artist who tragically lost his life in 2018. His family and friends established a legacy scholarship program in Matt’s name, which will award $1,000 annually. Matt always credited winning the top award in 1996, at the High School Competition as the “breakout” event in his young career as an artist. LeMoyne Arts President, Kelly Dozier said, “We are honored to provide a professional venue and scholarship program awarding over $4,500 annually to inspire and support young aspiring artists in our community.” “This year in addition to the Matt Callahan Scholarship, we will award another talented art student $500 through the generosity of the Ann Kirn Memorial Scholarship Fund,” said Lee Ortega, LeMoyne’s executive director. “We’re able to provide several $500 and $250 cash scholarships through donations from friends of LeMoyne Arts and the High School Competition including Mad Dog Construction, Capital City Bank and Conn Architects.” Ortega added. Founded in 1963, LeMoyne Arts is a fine art gallery and venue for art education and appreciation activity for the citizens of north Florida and South Georgia. It promotes and advances education, interest and participation in the contemporary visual arts. The Lemoyne Arts complex covers nearly an acre in downtown Tallahassee and encompasses the restored 1854 antebellum Meginnis-Monroe House, an education annex and lush sculpture garden. For additional information about the Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition: High School Art & Senior Portfolio Competition, its scholarship program and LeMoyne Arts visit: www.lemoyne.org |
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