Are you the fastest person in your family?
Of course! (my husband Sean may think otherwise). Now that I think about it, I did take our 4 year old Paloma out running with me the other day and I was kind of waiting for her to slow down…but she didn’t. It will be a matter of years before she is smoking me. So for now, I am the fastest.
How is the art community changing in Tallahassee?
I think the art community is growing. If you look at all of the arts festivals that just started this year and the people that are investing in the Tallahassee Arts Scene like Street Art Tallahassee and the murals that are going up in unexpected areas, you will see how people are embracing the arts. I think great things have always been here, but now people are embracing it and realizing it is integral to making this a livable community. People are excited about the momentum. A new amphitheater in Cascades and hopefully an identified cultural district that highlights arts, culture and heritage in that same area are just the things we need for people to truly appreciate all that is already here.
If you could take one album to have on a desert island, what would it be?
It’s funny that you say album because I haven’t really purchased an entire album lately. But as I look through my iTunes purchases, one of my favorites is from Ne-Yo titled “Year of the Gentleman” I don’t think anyone needs to know about my other musical interests. It might not paint me in the best light as an art connoisseur. (insert blushing face).
What is one thing you would like young artists to know?
Young artists should always persist with creating. I think even seasoned professional artists have their moments of “this isn’t working,” or “I don’t like doing THIS anymore.” So continue to engage in your craft even when it seems like things aren’t going your way, or you get to busy with work and life.
Tell us one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I played violin from 4th grade all the way through high school. Even went to a couple of orchestra camps in Buffalo, NY and Canada.
Dr. Audra Pittman is the Executive Director of Council on Culture & Arts – COCA.
