The Tallahassee art scene is made up of some of the most creative, talented, and driven individuals that Florida has to offer. The social media hustlers of today, creating extravagant paintings, taking beautiful photos, and remaining relevant within the artistic community. The area of Tallahassee is more than ready to showcase the talent and passion of its art community as well providing several events and venues where art can regularly go up. The Railroad Square Art Park is a local venue that consistently holds community events, houses several galleries, and is the spot for the titular “Mickee Faust Players” a troupe of actors who perform shows and host events like the Pumpkin Toss where anyone can come and chuck pumpkins to their heart's content. The players have been active in the community for decades, and they've even rented their space out to local clubs and activist groups who want to perform plays. Last year they hosted a troupe of actors who performed a play called “There is a Field”, a heart-wrenching story about a boy named Aseel Asleh's death at the hands of the Israeli police and his families journey to try and find justice for their son.
Musically the Art Park has a live concert venue/ beer garden known as the Crum Box Garden where local artists and out of state artists come to perform. The Crum Box has hosted Tallahassee locals like Teen Baby, Man-Moth, and out of state bands from all over the South. The Crum Box isn't just limited to musicians, though; they also showcase short films and other types of performances.
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Right across from the Crum Box is Gallery 621, a space that functions as an art museum that rotates the art of locals, college students, and regional artists. Gallery 621 doesn't just expose people to the visual arts but also provides opportunities for writers, and musicians to show their talent to the community.
As a matter of fact I had the opportunity to sit down with one of the artists who showcased her short film in Gallery 621, the dynamic Patricia Heron. Ms. Heron is a student at Florida A&M University getting her bachelors in social work but along with her drive to finish school and attend Grad school is a passion for visual arts. As a matter of fact she has done what many people only think about doing and has turned her artistic talent into a side-hustle. Her Instagram LUSHLOTUS_ is a combination of promos, model pictures, her paintings and some of the most picturesque architecture I've seen.
We talked about what the art scene in Tallahassee was like and about where some of her favorite spots to take pictures were. I asked her what she thought the art communities biggest hurdles were in Tallahassee and she told me that “unity among artists” was a big problem. She's experienced artists who are too big to work with people or are disrespectful towards artists that haven't achieved as much notoriety and she thinks that ultimately those attitudes hold back the artistic community in Tallahassee. She also believes that there are many undiscovered talents in the Tallahassee scene and people just need to explore to find people they like. Some of her favorite places to take photos are Cherokee Sinks, “JR Alfred Greenway, Shellpoint beach and Alligator Point. Ms. Heron is really big on Instagram and recommends people take a look at @Kiki_elice, @Pupillas, @dipsoulion, @Miya Bailey, and @mister_michelle for some really awesome art.
Moving out of Railroad Square there are still plenty of places that promote the artistic community. Bread and Roses Food Cooperative, a community grocery store that provides vegan food choices and a community swap meet, occasionally hosts events like poetry readings, concerts featuring local artists, and even community workshops.
A little up the street from Bread and Roses is the Plant, a DIY art space where people from all round the Tallahassee area are welcome to come and make use of the art supplies and the actual space itself. Notably, the plant hasn't just been an open door for people who want to creatively express themselves but it is also a place where people can meet to discuss things that matter to them, write to political prisoners, and give people who have found themselves without shelter a place to hang out. Paul Rutkovsky, the founder of The Plant, has done community beautification projects; the alley behind The Plant used to look pulled straight from the rough streets of New York until volunteers added plants, cleaned up broken bottles and trash, and adorned the alley with art pieces. The Plant has also played a part in the Tallahassee music scene by working with local musicians at production companies like the Undercurrent to bring concerts to the Gaines Street area.
I got the opportunity to interview another Tallahassee artist, Jacob Cage,who is a huge advocate for the Tallahassee art scene. He specializes in painting and creates masterful pieces inspired by "psychedelic and visionary aesthetics".
His pieces are insanely good. Cage also has an incredible dearth of knowledge about the Tallahassee art scene. He thinks that the scene has been "taking huge strides forward by expanding Tallahassee's culture with new galleries and events", but there are still blind spots that the local community has towards art in Tallahassee. He expressed his sadness that most people discover the art scene in Tally too late and never have the opportunity to participate. He also said that the art scene in Tally was "too isolated to the Gaines street area". When I asked him what his feelings about the art scene personally were he responded with this
"Like I said, Tallahassee has a really rich culture when you look for it. I have been exposed to so many diverse people, practices, and experiences since my arrival five years ago. Many people don't realize how much talent resides in this city, but some of the work I have been able to see thanks to galleries such at 621 has really pushed me; not only artistically, but educationally as well. With so many different events featuring music and art that take place every month is something that every artist needs. Exposure to a true artist community is one of the most important factors for growth as an artist, and Tallahassee has really offered that to me"
Cage had a few recommendations for me as far as local artists; Carrie Anne Baade, Mark Dickson, Amanda Boekhout, and Nick Collier. All of them are FSU alum and they work with a variety of different mediums from metal work to acrylic.
If you want to reach Jacob Cage about his artwork you can get at him through Facebook here, or contact him through his e-mail jacobcage23@gmail.com.
