Opening Nights at Florida State University announces $250,000 endowed gift to provide enhanced cultural arts programming

Laurie (left) and Kelly Dozier, donors of the $250,000 endowed gift to Opening Nights at Florida State University. (Photo: Opening Nights)
Laurie (left) and Kelly Dozier, donors of the $250,000 endowed gift to Opening Nights at Florida State University. (Photo: Opening Nights)

Opening Nights at Florida State University has announced that a $250,000 endowed gift by Kelly and Laurie Dozier will enable Opening Nights to collaborate with LeMoyne’s Chain of Parks Art Festival to provide enhanced cultural arts programming for the Tallahassee community.

The two organizations will partner to present a program to kick off the 19th Annual Chain of Parks Festival in April 2019.

“The arts bring a community together and raise awareness for different ideas and cultures,” said Kelly Dozier, FSU endowment donor and 10-year chair of the Chain of Parks Art Festival benefitting LeMoyne Arts. “Our gift supports two highly successful visual and performing arts presenters to collaborate and provide a unique, cultural experience for our community.”

During the past 20 years, Opening Nights has distinguished itself as one of the premier performing arts programs in the country. The Chain of Parks Art Festival, now in its 18th year, has been named the No. 1 fine art show in the nation by “Sunshine Artist Magazine.”

“We are extremely grateful for Kelly and Laurie Dozier’s endowed gift that will enable Opening Nights to partner with the Chain of Parks Art Festival to benefit our community through enhanced arts programming,” said Michael Blachly, director for Opening Nights at Florida State University. “This partnership will also benefit both organizations by increasing awareness among a larger audience.”

The purpose of the endowed gift to Opening Nights at Florida State University is to facilitate the partnership with the Chain of Parks Art Festival to provide interactive, educational opportunities for art students and expand the perceptions of the power of the visual arts through engaging and entertaining speakers and presenters who represent the visual arts industry.

About Opening Nights at Florida State University
Opening Nights at Florida State University is the university’s official performing arts presenter, bringing world-class talent to campus and the capital region. Opening Nights is concluding its 20th anniversary season and will announce its 2018-19 season on May 31, 2018. For more information, visit openingnights.fsu.edu.

About LeMoyne’s Chain of Parks Art Festival
The 18th Annual Chain of Parks Art Festival benefitting LeMoyne Arts, voted the nation’s No. 1 fine art festival, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 22, 2018, at the Bloxham, Lewis and Randolph “Chain of Parks,” located in Downtown Tallahassee.

Over 170 fine artists from all over the United States will have available for purchase, original artwork with a fresh and diverse array of 2-D and 3-D mixed media, ceramics, drawing and graphics, fiber, glass, jewelry, painting, sculpture and computer-generated art. For more information, visit chainofparks.com.