Public Programs

RATTLERS BRIDGE 

The Rattlers Bridge Project is a series of artist-led art workshops and placemaking projects illuminating the legacy of the Florida A&M University Fine Arts Program, its artists, faculty, and art leaders.  The workshops were themed to highlight FAMU's contributions to the rich cultural fabric of Tallahassee and beyond. 

The culminating event for Rattlers Bridge will be a mural unveiling at the Foster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery titled  FAMU Arts: A Legacy in Bold Color.  The mural was designed and painted by FAMU Fine Arts Alum Ryn Mangram.  The mural will pay homage to two dynamic FAMU art leaders. Dr. Samella Lewis will be depicted in the mural. Known as the "Godmother of African American Art," Dr. Lewis was an acclaimed artist and art historian who served as Chair for the FAMU Art Program from 1953 to 1958.  The other portrait will feature Dr. Howard E. Lewis, Professor Emeritus, who also served as the Fine Arts Chair and established the Howard E. and Margaret W. Lewis Endowed Scholarship, benefiting students in the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.  Dr. H. Lewis also is credited with having the first art building, now known as the Foster-Tanner Art Building constructed in 1972. Lastly, the mural  features a nod to the Harambee Festival, an annual arts festival of the last forty years, with its founding deeply rooted at FAMU.

The public mural unveiling for FAMU Arts: A Legacy in Bold Color will be Saturday, September 26 at 1:00 PM at the Foster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery. 

Rattlers Bridge participants in Bridges in Threes art workshop, led by FAMU Fine Arts Alum and artist Kaiyla Thompson. 

Muralist Ryn Mangram priming the mural wall located outside the Foster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery.  The FAMU Arts: A Legacy in Bold Color will have a public unveiling Saturday, September 26, 2026. 

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GALLERY TALK

Exploration of a Process with Marilyn Proctor-Givens

Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 1:00 PM

Exhibiting artist Marilyn Proctor-Givens will give a gallery talk about her featured exhibition, Exploration of a Process, on Saturday, October 3rd.  Proctor-Givens will discuss specific artworks on view and the evolution of her work and art media over the years, as well as her nearly 40-year career as an artist and art educator. Arrive ready to listen, learn, and share!

The gallery talk is free and open to the public.    

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Listen. Learn. Share: Exhibition Tours

The gallery offers interactive and self-guided opportunities for visitors to engage with the exhibitions and art.  All ages are welcome to listen, learn, and share!

Join our student docent for a 25-minute guided art tour.  The art tour is designed for all age groups to explore the current art exhibition. Gallery tours are interactive and encourage participants to look, observe, and ask questions about the art on display.  Gallery tours are 25 minutes, with a 5-minute Q&A session. Groups and individuals are encouraged to do an art tour!

Tours are available Monday–Friday, and registration is required. Please check our Current Exhibitions to be sure there is an exhibition currently on view during the time you would like to do a tour.