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Join us Friday, July 11th for a fun community contra dance! Gainesville’s amazing Angela DeCarlis will be calling the dances to live music by The Greasy String Band.

Tallahassee community contra dances have resumed in the Senior Center Ballroom! Contra dancing is an upbeat, beginner-friendly American folk dance for all ages. It shares many moves with square dancing (such as swing your partner and do-si-do) and is danced in long lines to live music. The bands and callers vary each night. Come alone or bring friends–no partner or experience required. Those new to contra dancing are strongly encouraged to come by 7:15 when a Beginner Lesson will be taught, and as dances are taught in more detail early in the evening. Wear comfortable clothes and flat shoes.

Join us Friday, August 8th for a fun community contra dance! Our very own Vicki Morrison will be calling the dances to live music by Andy Martin & the Red Hills Ramblers.

Tallahassee community contra dances return to the Senior Center Ballroom! Contra dancing is an upbeat, beginner-friendly American folk dance for all ages. It shares many moves with square dancing (such as swing your partner and do-si-do) and is danced in long lines to live music. The bands and callers vary each night. Come alone or bring friends–no partner or experience required. Those new to contra dancing are strongly encouraged to come by 7:15 when a Beginner Lesson will be taught, and as dances are taught in more detail early in the evening. Wear comfortable clothes and flat shoes.

Step into the powerful world of Black & Blue, an art exhibition by Andra Douglas, who is a former quarterback and owner of the groundbreaking New York Sharks, one of the first women’s tackle football teams in the country.
A Florida native who rose to become a creative executive in NYC, Douglas didn’t just break barriers in the boardroom, she shattered them on the field. Her leadership in women’s football and founding of the “Fins Up” foundation have empowered generations of young women through sports.
Now, she brings that same bold energy to the canvas. Through mixed-media works layered with emotion and movement, Black & Blue captures stories of resilience, identity, and the unstoppable force of female athletes. Experience the art of a true pioneer, where sports, self-expression, and social impact collide.
This exhibit was made possible with support from Katee Tully and Friends of the Arts sponsors Frank & Midge Mercer. Generously matched by LeMoyne Board Member, Scott McLuckie.
100% of proceeds from the sale of the book by Andra Douglas, ‘Black & Blue: Love, Sports and the Art of Empowerment,’ will support Free Pre-K Art Sparks Programs.

Join us for the Opening Reception:
Thursday, July 10 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Hors d'oeuvres, Live Music & an in-house bar will be provided.

Artist Q&A with Muffins & Mimosas:
Saturday, July 12 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

LeMoyne Arts Open Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday + Monday: CLOSED
Entry: $5 for non-members. FREE for members

Venvi Art Gallery is delighted to present “Painters Do Sculpture”, a joint exhibition of works by Ray Burggraf and Mark Messersmith. The exhibition will be on display from June 6th to July 12th. In this exhibition, Burggraf and Messersmith put down their canvases to showcase their sculptural works. The opening reception will be held on June 6th from 5-8pm.

“Painters Do Sculpture” showcases over a dozen works by Ray Burggraf and Mark Messersmith that share the color vibrancy and craft with their painting. But, over the years, due to smaller scale the 3-D work, until now, has received little attention. But both have always loved the carving, shaping, and emphasis on materials of sculpture. So, this exhibition is a decision to bring that to the forefront for the first time. Not to neglect their painting, Venvi has arranged for patrons to visit by appointment Ray's Art Studio just down the road, which has the artist's works that are so big that they emphasize how painting can go well beyond human scale. In both shows you will find an extreme contrast in artistic style. The realism of Mark Messersmith contrasts strongly with Burggraf’s geometric abstraction. An astute viewer, however, will begin to pick out the similarities in color harmonies and graceful shapes they try for in their work. They both appreciate the beauty and excitement to be seen in nature and let you know it. See gallery manager Rachel Smith for details.

Ray Burggraf primarily works with wood and acrylic, with the occasional use of UV light and plexiglass. His work portrays a more abstract representation of the beauty of landscapes around us, mainly through his incorporation of vibrant colors and gradations within his pieces. When looking at his pieces, one would assume they were made using an airbrush. However, Burggraf created these distinct gradations by hand. Burggraf earned his BS in 1961 from Ashland University, his BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art, and both his MA (1969) and MFA (1970) from University of California Berkeley. He also has been a huge part of Tallahassee’s art community for most of his art career. In 1981, he was a co-founder for the 621 Gallery in the Railroad Square Art Park, where he was the first president of the gallery. Burggraf retired from teaching at Florida State University in 2007 with Emeritus status. His work can be found in many museums, private collections and in his own studio located at the Golden Commerce Center in Tallahassee, FL.

Mark Messersmith works primarily with oil paint and canvas for many of his paintings. His sculptures incorporate wood and acrylic paint. Messersmith’s work builds upon stories, observations and concerns for wild animals. His work also focuses on the relationship of humans and wild creatures. He obtained his BFA in painting from Fontbonne College in St. Louis, Missouri and studied painting from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Messersmith has also received the Joan Mitchell Foundation Painting Award in 2006, and numerous art fellowships. His work can be found in many museums and private collections, most notably, The Butler Institute of American Art Youngstown, Ohio , The Columbus Museum, Columbus, Georgia, El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso, Hunter Museum, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Ogden Museum of Southern Art New Orleans, Louisiana, Orlando Museum of Art , Orlando, Florida, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota Florida, and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Virginia.

“Painters Do Sculpture” will be on display from June 6th until July 12th at Venvi Art Gallery and Ray Burggraf’s studio. Venvi Art Gallery is located at 2901 E. Park Avenue Unit 2800 Tallahassee, FL 32301. Burggraf’s studio is located at 2821 Industrial Plaza Dr. Building F. Tallahassee, FL 32301. For more information about his studio, directions to it and its availability, contact Venvi Art Gallery at (850) 322-0965 to schedule a tour. To learn more about this exhibition, check out Venvi Art Gallery’s website at www.venviartgallery.com.

Venvi Art Gallery is delighted to present "Painters Do Sculpture", a joint exhibition of works by Ray Burggraf and Mark Messersmith. The exhibition will be on display from June 6th to July 12th. In this exhibition, Burggraf and Messersmith put down their canvases to showcase their sculptural works. The opening reception will be held on June 6th from 5-8pm.

"Painters Do Sculpture" showcases over a dozen works by Ray Burggraf and Mark Messersmith that share the color vibrancy and craft with their painting. But, over the years, due to smaller scale the 3-D work, until now, has received little attention. But both have always loved the carving, shaping, and emphasis on materials of sculpture. So, this exhibition is a decision to bring that to the forefront for the first time. Not to neglect their painting, Venvi has arranged for patrons to visit by appointment Ray's Art Studio just down the road, which has the artist's works that are so big that they emphasize how painting can go well beyond human scale. In both shows you will find an extreme contrast in artistic style. The realism of Mark Messersmith contrasts strongly with Burggraf's geometric abstraction. An astute viewer, however, will begin to pick out the similarities in color harmonies and graceful shapes they try for in their work. They both appreciate the beauty and excitement to be seen in nature and let you know it. See gallery manager Rachel Smith for details.

Ray Burggraf primarily works with wood and acrylic, with the occasional use of UV light and plexiglass. His work portrays a more abstract representation of the beauty of landscapes around us, mainly through his incorporation of vibrant colors and gradations within his pieces. When looking at his pieces, one would assume they were made using an airbrush. However, Burggraf created these distinct gradations by hand. Burggraf earned his BS in 1961 from Ashland University, his BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art, and both his MA (1969) and MFA (1970) from University of California Berkeley. He also has been a huge part of Tallahassee's art community for most of his art career. In 1981, he was a co-founder for the 621 Gallery in the Railroad Square Art Park, where he was the first president of the gallery. Burggraf retired from teaching at Florida State University in 2007 with Emeritus status. His work can be found in many museums, private collections and in his own studio located at the Golden Commerce Center in Tallahassee, FL.

Mark Messersmith works primarily with oil paint and canvas for many of his paintings. His sculptures incorporate wood and acrylic paint. Messersmith's work builds upon stories, observations and concerns for wild animals. His work also focuses on the relationship of humans and wild creatures. He obtained his BFA in painting from Fontbonne College in St. Louis, Missouri and studied painting from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Messersmith has also received the Joan Mitchell Foundation Painting Award in 2006, and numerous art fellowships. His work can be found in many museums and private collections, most notably, The Butler Institute of American Art Youngstown, Ohio , The Columbus Museum, Columbus, Georgia, El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso, Hunter Museum, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Ogden Museum of Southern Art New Orleans, Louisiana, Orlando Museum of Art , Orlando, Florida, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota Florida, and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, Virginia.

"Painters Do Sculpture" will be on display from June 6th until July 12th at Venvi Art Gallery and Ray Burggraf's studio. Venvi Art Gallery is located at 2901 E. Park Avenue Unit 2800 Tallahassee, FL 32301. Burggraf's studio is located at 2821 Industrial Plaza Dr. Building F. Tallahassee, FL 32301. For more information about his studio, directions to it and its availability, contact Venvi Art Gallery at (850) 322-0965 to schedule a tour. To learn more about this exhibition, check out Venvi Art Gallery's website at www.venviartgallery.com.



Date and Time: On Fri, 06 Jun 2025 at 17:00 - Fri, 06 Jun 2025 at 20:00

Venue details: Venvi Art Gallery, 2901 East Park Avenue, Tallahassee, Florida, 32301, United States

Category: Arts | Visual Arts

Artists: Mark Messersmith, Ray Burggraf

Leon County Property Appraiser Akin Akinyemi invites you to join him for coffee at RedEye Coffee Midtown on June 3, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

You're invited to the next installment of Property Appraiser Akin Akinyemi’s community engagement series—returning again to the welcoming setting of RedEye Coffee Midtown. Stop by for a casual, informative conversation about property assessments, exemptions, and more.

Dr. Akinyemi is committed to open communication with residents. Bring your questions, grab a cup of coffee, and learn more about the services offered by the Property Appraiser’s Office.

No appointment needed! For more information, contact us at (850) 606-6200.

Father’s Day is more than just a day — it’s a reminder of the vital role dads play in our families and communities. Across Florida, we’re honoring fathers and father figures who show up with love, leadership, and purpose every day. Join the movement with Father First, Florida’s statewide initiative supporting dads with the resources, mentorship, and tools they need to thrive. Whether you’re a dad, mentor, or community member, there’s a place for you in this network. This Father’s Day, discover how Father First is helping build stronger dads and brighter futures for Florida’s children. Let’s keep putting fatherhood first — not just in June, but all year long. 🔗 Visit FatherFirstFL.com to learn more.

The iconic Pepsi Challenge is back, now featuring Pepsi Zero Sugar—and it’s arrived in Panama City!

It’s true - Pepsi® Zero Sugar tastes better and is more refreshing than Coke Zero Sugar based on a nationally conducted taste test. The Pepsi Challenge has been traveling across the country, and so far, 100% of markets have preferred the taste of Pepsi Zero Sugar. Now, Panama City has the chance to step up, take the challenge, and let their taste decide!

WHAT:

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Pepsi Challenge is back, showcasing the refreshing and better-tasting Pepsi Zero Sugar. This multi-market tour, lasting through October, invites everyone to see if they prefer Pepsi Zero Sugar over its zero-sugar rival.

WHERE & WHEN:

Frank Brown Park for the Gulf Coast Jam at 16200 Panama City Beach Pkwy

• Tickets required
• May 29 – June 1
• 2 – 11 p.m. ET

HOW IT WORKS:
• Blind Taste Test: Participants are presented with two unmarked cups containing Pepsi Zero Sugar and Coke Zero Sugar.
• Taste and Decide: Participants sample both cups, taking their time to decide which they prefer.
• Make Your Choice: Participants select their favorite cola, triggering unique celebratory moments for those with great taste.
• Score Pepsi: Pepsi will reward all participants with free Pepsi Zero Sugar, because even those with questionable taste deserve a second chance.

This fun-filled all-ages event puts teams to the test with quizzes, obstacle courses, speed challenges, and more!
Players work together to complete tasks and win exciting prizes from local businesses. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Program fee includes snacks and drinks (even adult beverages for the grown-ups). Team Registration: $25 Members/$30 non-Members, min 4 and max 6 players per team.

Sign-in and food service starts at 6:00 PM; games start at 6:15 PM.

To register your team, visit https://2025allagesgamenight.square.site.

Calling all kids! Join our friends at WFSU Public Media on May 17 to celebrate the Summer Challenge kickoff event: Kids' Career Day. Many members of our local community will showcase their jobs, with fun activities and learning opportunities. Kids' Career Day will offer a hands-on experience and allow young students to explore the world of work with real-life experts! Come learn and explore with us! Sign up at wfsu.org/education/events.