Ranked one of the top Fine Art Shows in the nation, LeMoyne’s Chain of Parks Art Festival is North Florida’s premiere outdoor fine art festival; with exciting new programming offered each year.
“The Chain of Parks Art Festival brings some of the nation’s top fine artists to the Capital City as a way to not only expand on the opportunity for regional art collectors but also introduce fine arts to those who may not have experienced it,” said Festival Chair Kelly Dozier. “The Festival committee and volunteers work hard to make this a fun and successful event for all, including the artists, and to be recognized among the top festivals in this way means the world to us.”
Festival Mission
LeMoyne’s Chain of Parks Art Festival is established to present an outdoor festival of high-quality original artwork and entertainment for the enjoyment of our Tallahassee area residents, attract visitors, foster the careers and financial support of the artists and vendors, while also raising vital funds for the operation of LeMoyne Arts Foundation, Inc.
In the Beginning
Started in 2001, the Chain of Parks Art Festival was designed to offer the Tallahassee community an outdoor, diverse fine art experience previously not found in the region, adopting the name of the beautiful downtown Chain of Parks in which it is held. Mary Beth Foss, LeMoyne Arts’ Executive Director in 2001 initiated the Festival by starting with about 50 local and regional artists.
Sharon Wester, Mary Beth Foss, Karen Encizo and (unknown) gather for a photo after setting up for 2001 Chain of Parks Art Festival.
Sharon Wester and Mary Beth Foss – LeMoyne Executive Director lay out booths for the 2001 Chain of Parks Art Festival.
Time to Grow
After eight years of holding the Festival, a small group of LeMoyne volunteers saw the potential for growing the festival into a larger, regional event. The Festival transitioned into a volunteer-driven event with Co-Chairs Charles and Cynthia Tunnicliff and Kelly S. Dozier, bringing new ideas to take the Festival to new heights. More artists were added to the event, expanding the variety of quality art by broadening the marketing efforts and personal outreach by the committee to traveling fine artists.
Serving as Festival Chair since 2009, Kelly S. Dozier brought several initiatives to the Festival, adding interactive opportunities and depth to the experience. Some of those initiatives include expanding the children’s activities offered, now called “The Children’s Park” which was beautifully planned by artist and art educator Kathleen Carter, the Jacques Le Moyne Living History Encampment which was brought to life by Theater with A Mission, developing the Greening the Festival initiative, adding “BetheArt” photo opportunities, and Pop-up Entertainment.
The Festival’s growth required more sponsor support which saw a 75% increase under Kelly’s leadership and the creation of the VIP Experience. As the Festival grew, experience in event management was needed and in 2009 Sheri O. Sanderson joined the Festival Committee as its Event Manager. Sheri brought exceptional event management skills to the team and developed important guidelines for participants. In 2019, the Festival partnered with FSU’s Opening Nights to create a Presenting Artist series featuring renowned artists with a tie to Tallahassee, telling the story of their journey to become a successful working artist.
Debbie Blinderman – VIP Experience Chair, Sheri Sanderson – Artist Relations Manager, and Kelly S. Dozier, Festival Chair
Charles Tunnicliff working with Tallahassee Police officer at the Chain of Parks Art Festival
Visitors enjoy the BeTheArt photo opportunities at the festival.
Kelly S. Dozier gives an interview in the park.
Annella Schomburger prepares to delight festival sponsors in the Sponsor Tent.
Sheri Sanderson and Charles Tunnicliff enjoying the first day of the festival.
Theater With A Mission brings Jacques Le Moyne to life at the festival.
An Established Success
With over 160 artists and a growing fan base, Powell K. Kreis joined the Festival in 2019 as its full-time Festival Manager as Sheri transitioned to Artist Relations Manager so that she could focus on recruitment and management of participating artists and Kelly could continue her volunteer effort as the Chair. Powell brought new ideas and partners to the Festival, realizing some long-dreamed-of features such as the 3D Street Artists and the Heritage Arts sections, as well as an annual Pop-up Exhibit of upcycled art held in downtown Tallahassee 30 days before the Festival. Supported by an incredible group of returning volunteers and committee members, the team evaluates the Festival each year and seeks to continue to improve the visitor experience while also providing the best opportunity for fine artists to show their works to a delighted public. In 2021 Visit Tallahassee recognized the Chain of Parks Art Festival as a Legacy Event, noting the number of out-of-area visitors it draws in and its significant positive economic impact for the community.
New Heritage Art Row feature at the Festival on Tunnicliff Lane.
Powell with friends she recruited as Festival volunteers who have returned each year to help out.
Powell Kreis demonstrates the Festival’s recycling practices in the VIP Experience.
Powell preparing the Rain Barrel pop-up exhibit in downtown Tallahassee.
Powell & Committee member posing with Street Art piece by Carlos Alberto GH
National Recognition
The Chain of Parks Art Festival continues to grow in quality and notoriety. Starting in 2015 the Festival has been recognized as one of the top 100 Fine Art Festivals in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine, and every year since. The team is especially proud of our top 10 rankings, notably #1 in 2017, #5 in 2018, #3 in 2019, top 10 in 2020-2021, #7 (#1 in Florida) in 2022 and #7 (#1 in Florida) again in 2024.
QUICK GUIDES TO THE FESTIVAL
Chalk Art Oasis
The Children’s Park
Entertainment Schedule
Newsroom
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