Tallahassee Artist Spotlight

“COCA Spotlights” celebrate and showcase the creativity of our area artists of all disciplines. Every week, the Council on Culture & Arts (COCA) writes these articles which are featured on COCA’s blog and in the Tallahassee Democrat every week. Enjoy these incredible and inspirational stories as you get to know the artists of Tallahassee.

A complete list of featured artists can be found by clicking here.

Trip to Cuba inspired Lili Forbes and the Common ‘ Taters

By: Amanda Sieradzki

Musician Lili Forbes can’t shake the Caribbean from her bones. Hailing from St. Maarten, Dutch Antilles, she longs for home where she says rhythm, movement and storytelling comingle in every imaginable way.

For her, that meant waking up every morning to music, whether it was Bob Marley or her mother’s favorite gospel tunes. As an independent artist, it means writing and playing songs that bring the ocean’s whispering waves and world flavors to Tallahassee. READ MORE

Listeners share the virtual experience with TSO at Home

By: Amanda Sieradzki

“One of the first things I thought when I realized that we would have to cancel our upcoming concerts was, ‘How are we going to keep the music playing?’” said Amanda “Mandy” Stringer, CEO of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra.

The answer was the “TSO At Home” virtual series. Curated by a different musician, board or staff member every week, audio files from past performances are shared in TSO’s email newsletter and on their website. READ MORE

Puppeteer’s Characters Take a Bow at FSU Museum

By: Amanda Sieradzki

Professional puppeteer and licensed educator Jan Kaufman was shocked to see some of her closest companions — a ballerina in the midst of an arm gesture, a smiling red-headed doll, a marionette flock of birds poised for action — come to life behind a glass display.

A performer for over 60 years, Kaufman is enjoying her latest role as the star of “Jan and Her Friends.” The exhibition was on display at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts earlier this year.

“I had never seen them that way,” says Kaufman. “I see them in my bag that I carry them around in and I see them when they perform, but here they are hung in such a manner that they looked like they were getting ready to do something.” READ MORE