Thursday, September 16, 2010

Tallahassee Selected as LivCom Finalist

The City of Tallahassee is one of the top 40 Cities in the World, as determined by the International Awards for Livable Communities (LivCom Awards). In addition, we have been named as one of the 8 international finalists in our population category for a Whole City Award.

In June, City staff and a community representative from the Council on Culture & Arts collaborated to prepare and submit the City's nomination package for this prestigious, international award. The areas highlighted in the competition are enhancement of natural and built landscapes; arts, culture and heritage; environmental best practices; community participation and empowerment; healthy lifestyle; and strategic planning.

"We are proud of being an 'All America City' and having some of the best parks in America," said Mayor John Marks. "Now, to be a finalist for international recognition for our environmental practices and being a livable community is another major accolade for the citizens of Tallahassee. This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire community."

A Tallahassee delegation will attend the November 4-9 finals in Chicago. Due to limited funding, community sponsorships will be sought to help cover participation. Contact the City at 891-2476 for additional information.

Arts in Education Week Proclamation
announced by Mayor Marks
on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010

Whereas, arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines including dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students; and

Whereas, arts education enables students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, imagination and creativity, discipline, alternative ways to communicate and express feelings and ideas, and cross-cultural understanding, which supports academic success across the curriculum as well as personal growth outside the classroom; and

Whereas, to succeed in today’s economy, students must masterfully use words, images, sounds, and movement to communicate; and

Whereas, as the arts equip students with a creative, competitive edge at a time when the nation is working to strengthen its foothold in the 21st century global economy; and

Whereas, the arts provide the skills and knowledge students need to develop the creativity and determination necessary for success in the global information age; and

Whereas, extraordinary results occur where schools and communities delivering high quality learning opportunities in, through, and about the arts for children; and

Whereas, studies have found that schools in under-resourced environments with large populations of students in economic poverty who are highly involved in the arts have better grades, less likelihood of dropping out by grade ten, have more positive attitudes about school, and are more likely to go onto college; and

Whereas, attracting and retaining the best teachers is vital and can be achieved by ensuring that schools embrace the arts, becoming havens for creativity and innovation; and

Whereas, arts education has the power to make students want to learn not just within the arts, but other areas of study; and

Whereas, art is integral to the lives of all citizens and essential to the health and vitality of our communities.

Now Therefore I, John R. Marks, III, in order to raise awareness of the value and importance of arts in education for all our children at every level of education and to acknowledge the extraordinary teachers who provide these students with the very best arts education here in the city of Tallahassee, proclaim September 12- 18, 2010 as

Arts in Education Week

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Join us for Tallahassee's Arts in Education Week Announcement


Wednesday, September 15; 4:00pm at City Hall (300 S. Adams Street)


Mayor John Marks will present Leon County School Board member, Dee Dee Rasmussen with a proclamation during the City Commission meeting designating the second week in September as Arts in Eductaion Week in Tallahassee.


Inspired by the recently passed Congressional Resolution (H. Con. Res. 275) which does the same, the procalmation shows support for and celebrates all of the arts education disciplines including but not limited to dance, music, theater and visual arts.


COCA encourages all arts education supporters as well as arts educators who work within and outside of the school day to join us in the commission chambers on the second floor of City Hall at 4:00pm for this exciting announcement. Public parking is available in the Kleman parking garage and on the street.


Let's show the city just how much arts eductaion means to this community!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Imaginarium of Images: Marguerite Foxon and Stewart Nelson

The Council on Culture & Arts is pleased to present


Imaginarium of Images: Marguerite Foxon and Stewart Nelson

an exhibition at the City Hall Gallery from September 2 – November 16, 2010 as part of the Arts in Public Places program.

Through her photography, Marguerite Foxon challenges viewers to see everyday objects in a completely different way. On exhibit are images of a mesmerizing world, revealed in extreme close-ups. Her macro abstract photography captures the mysterious shades and textures of rust, the fascinating colors and designs of mold and the rich images buried in bark. Through her macro lens, intriguing shapes and patterns, colors and textures are revealed and things that are usually overlooked take on a new life. “It gives me great pleasure to find such beauty and inspiration in the discards of our society – a derelict car, an abandoned warehouse, a rusted can, a dying tree.”

Stewart Nelson combines traditional photography with computer imaging to produce digital/photographic fine art prints. After freezing a moment with his favorite camera, the Pentax Auto 110, which produces thumb nail sized negatives, Nelson manipulates the images until they evoke fading memories. He allows the film grain and processing flaws to remain, adding texture to the image. Nelson also explores digital image capture, using either a digital camera or a flatbed scanner to create art from found objects such as leaves and crushed cans. “My sense of color and texture pushes my photography beyond photorealism with the manipulation of color and light, changing their relationship and creating an altered reality.”

The exhibition is curated by the Council on Culture & Arts’ Arts in Public Places program on behalf of the City of Tallahassee. For more information about this exciting exhibition or upcoming exhibitions contact Amanda Karioth Thompson at (850) 224-2500 or Amanda@cocanet.org. For a schedule of other exhibitions and arts and culture programs throughout north Florida, visit http://www.morethanyouthought.com/. Learn more about COCA and sign up to receive COCA’s weekly email blast at http://www.cocanet.org/.