LeMoyne’s 24th Chain of Parks Art Festival
Annual event paints picture of Tallahassee arts throughout history
Whether you’re an art aficionado or simply an admirer, LeMoyne’s Chain of Parks Art Festival has sights to behold.
Ranked as one of the top fine arts shows in the nation and as North Florida’s premier outdoor fine art festival, the 2024 event will occur April 20–21 along Tallahassee’s Park Avenue, east of Monroe Street.
The festival is free to the public and features high-quality art from over 150 local, regional and national artists specializing in a spectrum of mediums. Artists will feature their original work on display and for sale. Artists compete for awards in each category which will be assessed by expert judges and announced on Saturday afternoon with awards and recognition flags displayed on Sunday. The festival is produced each year by LeMoyne Arts. Funding support comes from Presenting Sponsor Mad Dog Construction and from Visit Tallahassee, City of Tallahassee, Leon County, and generous private businesses and individuals who love the festival.
“The festival is a culturally enriching good time that focuses on interaction,” said Powell Kreis, manager of the festival. “Each artist and participant engages the public in a meaningful way through demonstrations, make-and-take activities, visual arts, one-on-one interactions, entertainment and more.”
Festival goers enjoy exploring the community corner made up of local nonprofit organizations.
Photo by Bob O’Lary
Supporting the careers of artists, providing interactive creative experiences, informative cultural programs and community access to the arts are the main goals for the 2024 event.
In partnership with Florida State University’s Opening Nights, Dean Mitchell will be the festival’s presenting artist on Thursday, April 18, with a discussion on Navigating the Art World: Building Success Against the Odds. Mitchell is well known for his figurative works, landscapes and still-life paintings.
To coincide with an exhibit collaboration with the John G. Riley Center & Museum and LeMoyne Arts, Soulful Feelin’: A Folk Art Celebration, the festival is introducing a new category and section focused on the traditions of folk art and fine craft. Festival attendees can enjoy folk art and fine craft along the festival’s Tunnicliff Lane leading to the exhibit at the LeMoyne Arts Gallery. The exhibit will be on display throughout April.
Engaging festival visitors at the Chalk Art Oasis, professional street artists will create 3D art with chalk and temporary paint. For the young ones and their families, the Children’s Park offers pop-up art-making studios, interactive art vendors, historical reenactments, heritage booths, entertainers and chalk art, facilitated by a partnership with the Retired Art Teachers of Tallahassee group.
Festival visitors view one-of-a-kind works of art in Tallahassee’s delightful Southern outdoor setting. Photo by Bob O’Lary
“Each year, this festival is a way to fill our community with the wonders of visual arts, cultural experiences and live performances,” said Kelly Simmons Dozier, festival chair. “It’s a window into what makes Tallahassee the wonderfully culturally rich community it is.”
LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival
For all THE news and updates on this year’s festival, visit ChainofParks.com
