LeMoyne Arts Expands Outdoor Sculpture Gardens with Major Installations by T.D. Giddings and Mark Dickson

TALLAHASSEE, FL — LeMoyne Arts is proud to announce the installation of two major outdoor sculptures by acclaimed Tallahassee artists T.D. Giddings and Mark Dickson, adding significant new works to LeMoyne’s evolving outdoor sculpture gardens and permanent collection.

The public is invited to celebrate the sculptures at a dedication ceremony on Saturday, August 22, at 10 a.m. at LeMoyne Arts, 125 N. Gadsden St., Tallahassee. The dedication is free and open to the public.

The ceremony will feature remarks by both artists, offering guests an opportunity to hear directly from Giddings and Dickson about their work and creative process.

Installed on the grounds of LeMoyne's historic campus, the sculptures represent a significant investment in accessible public art and reflect LeMoyne's ongoing commitment to celebrating the region's artistic legacy through works that engage visitors, neighbors, and the broader community.

The sculpture by T.D. Giddings, Eroded Shell Form, was installed in March, becoming a highly visible addition to LeMoyne's Gadsden Street façade and Tallahassee's public art landscape. The work was generously donated by T.D. Giddings and his wife, Kathi Giddings, who also funded the restoration and relocation of the sculpture.

Inspired by shells shaped by the forces of nature over countless years, Eroded Shell Form celebrates forms that have been weathered, carved, and transformed over time rather than the pristine shells typically collected on the beach. Fabricated in steel, the sculpture features richly textured surfaces, undulating movement, and an exaggerated scale that combines strength with fluidity. Visitors are invited to walk through and around the sculpture, discovering its shifting forms and perspectives from every angle. The shell motif has remained a recurring element throughout Giddings' artistic practice, appearing in his steel fabrication, cast aluminum, and carved jewelry.

Restoration, preparation, and installation of Eroded Shell Form were coordinated in partnership with the Florida State University Master Craftsman Studio. The studio's team carefully cleaned, restored, and prepared the sculpture for its new permanent home, with installation overseen by production specialists to ensure the integrity and longevity of the piece.

A graduate of Florida State University, Giddings studied drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and art education, learning under influential professors including Ralph Hurst, Ivan Johnson, Chester Williams, and Charles Hook. He devoted 35 years to teaching art in Leon County Schools, including his final 20 years at Leon High School before retiring in 2012. Since then, he has continued creating art while traveling extensively and documenting his experiences through photography.

"LeMoyne Arts has long played an important role in supporting and celebrating artists in our community," said Giddings. "We are honored to donate Eroded Shell Form and hope it inspires visitors for years to come."

LeMoyne also recently announced the installation of Storyteller, a new large-scale sculpture by Mark Dickson located in the Helen Lind Garden. The 9-foot steel sculpture is installed on the existing round concrete pedestal in the garden and represents part of a totemic series Dickson began in 2012.

Fabricated from plate and sheet steel that has been welded, forged, and hand-formed, Storyteller is finished in monochromed urethane paint and uses negative space, shadow, and abstract form to hold a layered visual narrative. In the work, Dickson reflects on Florida's natural environment: the sun as giver of life, a bird rendered as a reverent figure, lush botanicals, and the powerful presence of hurricanes that shape both landscape and human experience.

With expertise in forging, casting, and welding metals—and on the recommendation of artists from the Florida State University Master Craftsman Studio—Dickson's relationship with LeMoyne is longstanding and deeply collaborative.

"Mark has quietly supported LeMoyne behind the scenes for years," says Arielle Raff, LeMoyne’s Executive Director. "From restoration work to now contributing a major new sculpture, his generosity and craftsmanship have helped shape the experience of our sculpture gardens for visitors and artists alike."

"These installations are an exciting moment for LeMoyne and for our community," says Dan Taylor, LeMoyne’s Board President. "We are honored to provide a permanent home for these important works and to continue building an outdoor space where art, nature, and community intersect."

Together, the installations represent a meaningful collaboration between LeMoyne Arts and local artists, reinforcing a shared commitment to preserving and celebrating Tallahassee’s creative identity through accessible art.

For more information about visiting LeMoyne Arts and experiencing the sculpture gardens, visit www.lemoyne.org.