LeMoyne Arts is starting early and taking a new approach to its annual Holiday Show this year, which has traditionally opened on Thanksgiving Day.
Two sweet celebrations will be going on simultaneously at the venerable downtown location of Tallahassee’s vibrant LeMoyne Arts gallery starting Nov. 18.
First, the finale of the LeMoyne’s Diamond Jubilee, commemorating its founding 60 years ago. Second, the always-awaited Holiday Show, which includes a series of festive parties, art sales and musical events for which the museum has become famous.
From Nov. 18 through Dec. 16, LeMoyne will host five mixers and parties, as well as offer an array of original art, crafts and holiday ornaments created by area artisans and painters. Decorated as an illuminated winter wonderland of delights, the LeMoyne at Christmas twinkles for the whole city.
Here is a quick run-down of what’s coming up there:
60th Annual Holiday Show
Nov. 18: LeMoyne’s 60th Annual Holiday Show Opening Day & Garden Galleria, 125 N. Gadsden St. New to this year’s annual holiday show is a pop-up Garden Galleria in LeMoyne’s renovated gardens, featuring local artist booths, live entertainment, children’s activities, libations, and local food trucks. Members only Mimosa Mixer & Preview at 9 a.m., followed by a Grand Public Opening at 10 a.m. The newly designed Garden Galleria will find 27 artists eager to chat from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Entertainment from Hot Tamale, Tallahassee Ballet, Young Actors Theater Troupe continues all day. There will also be good eats from Street Chefs and LaSalle St. Carnival Food.
Cookies and Cocoa
Nov. 24: Cookies and Cocoa on the LeMoyne’s Front Porch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. is a cozy way to welcome the season. The gallery is open to visitors and will be serving baked goods from Uptown Café and Catering, the Tallahassee Nutty Bavarian, and music from the Elsinore Sewing Club. LeMoyne says Cookies and Cocoa is a nice respite from Black Friday.
Party in the garden
Dec. 2: With folk music filling the air from the garden gazebo, the 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Garden Galleria event is an easy-going party in the garden, where everything from denim to diamonds means you’re dressed right. Browse the gift shop and enjoy the casual vibe. Food is from Chicken Salad Chick and craft beer and cocktail tasting by Proof Brewing.
Dazzling Diamonds Cocktail Party
Dec. 7: The Dazzling Diamonds Cocktail Party from 5:30-7 p.m. is a chance to dress up and sparkle as you raise a toast to LeMoyne’s 60th birthday. Signature cocktails, dance music by Rachel Hillman Quartet, food from Il Lusso, and oysters from Oyster Mom, are all a great way to wish the LeMoyne another 60.
Festival Family Fun Day
Dec. 16: The Festive Family Fun Day is the finale of the LeMoyne’s holiday season. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m., live entertainment from Young Actors Theater Troupe, Elsinore Sewing Club, and Hot Tamale can be enjoyed along with bites from Chicken Salad Chick and Uptown Café and Catering. Retired Art Teachers of Tallahassee will be on-hand to oversee children’s crafts and do face painting.
Looking back and forward
For the many families and visitors who stop by LeMoyne Arts each season, the vintage house in one of Tallahassee’s most iconic downtown neighborhoods feels like home.
Built in 1854 by young merchant Walter Meginness for his new bride, Louise Gatlin, the home would later serve as a “hospital” for soldiers during the Civil War following the Battle of Olustee. Passing from a maiden aunt, Jessie Meginness, to her nephew, Ivan Monroe, the two-story house was sold in 1968 to the LeMoyne Art Foundation, formed only five years earlier.
Its founders, Mary Metzke, Clifton Lewis, June Strauss, and Nanette Fisher, had decided to name their new project after Jacques LeMoyne, the “first European artist in Florida,” who had arrived with the French and fallen in love with its landscapes and native peoples.
Over the lean years and years of plenty, the LeMoyne has had a nucleus of devoted volunteers and arts-lovers. With their help, the galleries were renovated in 1989. But dreams were always to expand the space for educational studios, for ceramics workshops, and to make the under-used garden an activity locus. The purchase of 417 Call St. in 1993 paved the way for future expansion.
In 2017, LeMoyne Arts began its ambitious “Art for Always Master Plan” project. With careful planning, community engagement, and capital campaign commitment, LeMoyne was able to apply for public funding monies. Through an Arts and Culture Grant, in 2021 LeMoyne bought the building at 121 N. Gadsden. It is used for educational events and summer camps and currently holds the museum’s permanent collection valued at over $600,000.
By 2022, the grand design was truly emerging. The garden was renovated with a gazebo and renamed the Helen Lind Garden and Sculpture Garden. Today it is used for gatherings, exhibitions, and as an event rental space.
A new Education Center is fully operational. Coming soon are additional upgrades to the garden and a new ceramics pavilion. The East Call Street property which was purchased in 1993 will be converted to studios for lease to 12 artists and will be available in Spring of 2024.
Throughout the year, classes for children and adults are offered in drawing, painting, ceramics, and stained glass. Successful summer art camps for children aged 6 to 12 have been implemented as well as after-school programs, youth and teen classes, and Pre-K art activities.
The LeMoyne has served the Tallahassee area for 60 years as a major center for the visual arts. From the vision of a small group of arts devotees to today’s educational expansion, exhibitions, and hub of community cultural experience, LeMoyne Arts is poised to flourish and grow in its next 60 years.
