Opening Nights at Florida State University will present Michael Rosato, the 2021 Chain of Parks Art Festival Presenting Artist, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 15, at The Moon. The event will be held in person and virtually.
Rosato will discuss the transformative power of public art and how murals and the arts are incredibly powerful tools for storytelling to mark the beginning of LeMoyne's Chain of Parks Arts Festival. The FSU alumnus has garnered national acclaim for his mural "Take My Hand," which depicts Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist and conductor on the Underground Railroad.
"We are thrilled to have an artist of the quality and caliber of Michael Rosato launch LeMoyne's Chain of Parks Arts Festival," said Kelly Dozier, chair of the annual festival. "The arts raise awareness for different ideas and cultures and bring people together for discussions. Michael's murals are perfect examples of doing just that."
Rosato will present Dr. A.J. Brickler III, a Tallahassee OB/GYN and 2nd great-grandnephew of Harriet Tubman, a signed print of his famed mural "Take My Hand." Dr. Brickler will also share a few words.
Rosato describes his style as representational realism, and he enjoys telling vivid and often emotional stories through his work. Following his keynote address, there will be a question-and-answer session moderated by Preston McLane, director of the Florida State University Museum of Fine Arts.
"Michael Rosato's art evokes emotion and conversation," said Michael Blachly, director of Opening Nights. "Rosato will kick off the 2021 Chain of Parks Art Festival, setting a tone on the transformative power of the arts and its importance in our communities."
This Opening Nights event is made possible through the Laurie & Kelly Dozier Endowment.
The Michael Rosato Chain of Parks Art Festival event will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 15, at The Moon. Virtual and in-person tickets are $25. In-person tickets include a pre-lecture reception beginning at 6 p.m. To purchase a ticket, visit openingnights.fsu.edu.
LeMoyne's Chain of Parks Art Festival Artists in the Park is April 17-18, 2021, along the majestic oak-lined Park Avenue in beautiful downtown Tallahassee. The festival will feature one-of-a-kind works of fine art by 125 artists from across the nation. The two-day festival is free and open to the public with limited attendance and ticketing required.
