Since 1851, the city of Tallahassee has been home to generations of students including those of Florida State University as it exists today. In commemoration of Tallahassee’s 200th birthday in 2024, the FSU Libraries Art in the Library Committee presents 200 Years of Tallahassee: A View from Florida State. This show is on view at Robert Manning Strozier Library on Florida State University’s main campus in Tallahassee from May through December this year. Art in the Library is proud to present an engaging exhibition of works of art that celebrate, remember, and interpret the sights, sounds, and voices of our University and City as told by the FSU student community. Some of themes presented across the several artistic mediums featured in this exhibition include favorite sites on campus, FSU student traditions, and moments in Tallahassee history.
Meet our student artists:
Emily Abreu-Guevara
I am a contemporary artist with a background in painting and drawing. My artistic expression is characterized by my use of vibrant colors, simplicity, and a focus on portraiture. My creative journey is ongoing as I pursue my Bachelors in Studio Art and Art History at Florida State University. Currently residing in Florida, I continue to explore the boundaries of artistic expression, creating artworks that resonate with human experience and the power of love and self-reflection
Luke Meunier
The spirit of Florida State is one that is unlike any I have ever felt before. When I first stepped onto campus during my college tour, the pride and love of the university was palpable. The energy of Doak Campbell Stadium, the Westcott fountain throw, and the vibrant student organizations all around campus, it was impossible not to feel the beating heart of the university everywhere I went. With the celebration of Tallahassee’s 200th birthday on the horizon, this opportunity led me to capture what makes this university special.
FSU has a deep-rooted culture within the Capital City and has an extremely unique history within northwest Florida. By photographing the unique symbols of our university that have been present throughout its history, I can show how the staples of FSU culture are still alive and well on campus today. In these two photographic works I wanted to show some of my most cherished parts of campus, the Westcott building and Fountain. Honoring the past of our university and showing parts of campus that students have called home for over 170 years is truly special.
Amalie Ostertag
Using photography and digital editing processes, I blended images of our past and present to bring light to the history of one of Tallahassee’s most impactful communities – Smokey Hollow. Often dismissed in Leon County’s history, Smokey Hollow was an African American community established in the 1800s that was lost to eminent domain during the middle of the 20th century.
Called Smokey Hollow due to the smoke that settled in the area, the neighborhood was rich with history and culture until the land was seized by the government, displacing hundreds from their ancestral homes. Currently, there is a commemorative park and museum in what used to be the Smokey Hollow neighborhood, however so much significant history has been relegated to obscurity. Working as an intern with FSU Libraries and the John G. Riley House, digitizing ephemera relating to Smokey Hollow, I have learned so much about my hometown and its history and I hope to be able to educate and share it with others.
Chloe Sailor
Chloe Sailor is an artist living and working in Tallahassee, FL. In her work, she is interested in the personal histories and memories that live around us, how they give meaning to the places we reside, and how they change over time. She earned a BA in Studio Art and MEd in Education from the University of New Hampshire before moving to Florida, where she is currently pursuing an MFA in Studio Art at Florida State University.
200 Years of Tallahassee: A View from Florida State
Digital Exhibition
In addition to the physical exhibition in Strozier Library, viewers may have a chance to participate in our artistic celebration of Tallahassee’s Bicentennial by submitting their own images for the ongoing digital exhibition of 200 Years of Tallahassee. Please visit the 3rd floor gallery space for inspiration and access our QR code to submit your story! Images included in this exhibition can be viewed at the bottom of this blog post.
This digital exhibition focuses on campus life and sights. Submissions accepted depict themes of favorite spots on campus and in and around Tallahassee, Student Life, University Traditions, Celebrations, Day in the life, Studying Spots, and more.
Samantha Haas
College of Fine Arts: Studio Art
Jessi Jian
College of Education: Instructional Systems & Learning Technologies
Book Hunting
Samantha Hass
Studio Art
Owen F. Sellers Music Amphitheater
Jessi Jian
Instructional Systems & Learning Technologies
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