LeMoyne’s 26th Annual Chain of Parks Art Festival is proud to present Garden Guardians, a brand-new special exhibit featuring nine local artists who have created unique garden sculptures from upcycled materials, in keeping with the Festival’s greening initiative.
From a Deputy Dog made of army surplus materials to an intricately woven metal tree adorned with copper leaves and bird nests, these unique garden sculptures delight visitors in the garden with their whimsical and fun use of eco-friendly pieces upcycled by the artists, using at least 70% upcycled materials, blending creativity with sustainability. Each artist has created their own unique Garden Guardian some using glass mosaics, driftwood and even the metal skeleton of a broken garden umbrella.
Month-Long Garden Preview & Voting:
The public is invited to experience these unique creations during a month-long preview at LeMoyne’s Simmons Dozier Garden (125 N. Gadsden Street) from March 17 through April 17, 2026, Tuesday through Saturday, 11am-6pm. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite Guardian; the winning artist will receive a cash prize at the conclusion of the Festival weekend. Digital voting is also available now at https://chainofparks.org/pop-up-exhibit/.
Festival Weekend & Silent Auction:
Following the garden exhibit, the sculptures will move to the Chalk Art Oasis section of the Festival in downtown Tallahassee for a grand conclusion and silent auction on April 18 & 19, 2026. Festival-goers can view the sculptures and place their final bids until Sunday, April 19, at 2:00 PM. All proceeds from the auction benefit the Festival and LeMoyne Arts.
Participating Artists:
The exhibit features work by Quia & Morgan Atkinson, Russ Butler, Kelly Simmons Dozier, Carrie Gaudio, Mark Georgiades, Karen Mack, Scott Mcluckie, Trish Parsons, and Dan Taylor.
About the Festival:
The Chain of Parks Art Festival continues to rank among the nation’s top fine art festivals, notably ranking #3 in the Nation for 2025. Set under the majestic live oak trees of downtown Tallahassee, this beloved, free, two-day event draws over 42,000 attendees and features more than 180 national juried artists, live entertainment, local culinary delights, and children’s art activities.
For more information about the Garden Guardians exhibit, voting, or the Chain of Parks Art Festival, visit www.ChainofParks.com and follow @ChainofParks on Facebook and Instagram.
