There have been lots of businesses, organizations, and evolutions at the Railroad Square Art District. WFSU’s Local Routes has explored a lot of them over the decade. Go back in time and check out some of our other stories about Tallahassee’s Art Hub.
Empowering Art: A Mother’s Journey with Autism and Art (Season 10, Episode 4)
The story of Betty Proctor and her Obsessions Gift Shop in Tallahassee’s Railroad Square is a personal one. Betty created the business with her daughter, who is on the autism spectrum. As the business grew, Betty added special art courses and projects that helped her daughter and others on the spectrum increase their communication skills.
Water Ice in the Panhandle|The Spirit of Rebuilding (Season 10, Episode 4)
ay Jennings built a business in Tallahassee’s Railroad square dedicated to Water Ice, a treat very similar to ice cream or gelato. But a tornado in Spring 2024 tor that dream down. We follow him as he attempts to rebuild his business.
Theater With A Birthday Mission (Season 9, Episode 5)
Tallahassee traces its history back to 1824. That is when the 13 members of Florida’s territorial legislature, appointed by President James Monroe decided to make it the new territorial capital. To commemorate the Capital City’s bicentennial, the troupe from Theater With A Mission is interpreting scenes from our local history at Railroad Square in this video.
Skateboarding at Tallahassee’s Skateable Art Park (Season 9, Episode 2)
Skateboarders, cyclists, inline skaters and more come together to experienced a new park just for them in downtown Tallahassee. With the tricks also comes a unique art experience created by Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency.
Spotlight| Matthew “briteso” Forrest (Season 9, Episode 2)
Muralist Matthew “briteso” Forrest has been doing graphic design for years and for the last several he has been focused on painting large murals around town. His work is easy to find around Tallahassee, primarily in the Railroad Square and the southern part of the city. Check out this video highlighting his story or learn more about his murals at Railroad Square by checking out this link.
Virtual Reality Has Gone RotoLoco (Season 7, Episode 8)
WFSU Public Media’s Mike Plummer introduces you to Nick Suttell, founder of New World Rides and designer of the RotoLoco VR motion platform which can be found at Railroad Square. See what makes the RotoLoco different than most other motion platforms and get a local look into the wild world of virtual reality.
Cat Family Records and Musicians Seek Alternatives to Live Music (Season 6, Episode 6)
Nonprofit record label Cat Family Records was founded in 2016 to help do-it-yourself local musicians deal with all aspects of the music industry. The largely events-based organization hosted over 200 shows prior to COVID-19. A year into the pandemic, volunteer-led Cat Family Records still has live music on hold, but is seeking new avenues of creation, including video production.
Celebrating Art & Culture with First Fridays (Season 2, Episode 13)
The First Friday Gallery Hop at the Railroad Square Art Park in Tallahassee brings our community together to celebrate the local art and culture found in our area. Patrons can enjoy food trucks, open galleries, live music, and more. WFSU’s Rebecca Alvis introduces us to some of the folks that make this monthly event so popular.
Wacissa Springs Adventure | Kayaking a Wildlife Rich River (Season 2, Episode 9)
While this video is about an Ecoadventure on the Wacissa River with WFSU’s Ecology Producer Rob Diaz de Villegas, it starts out at Harry Smith Ourdoors which at the time was in a location in Railroad Square.
Exploring Art and Culture at Railroad Square (Season 2, Episode 9)
WFSU’s Rebecca Alvis introduces us to a few of the folks at the Railroad Square Art Park in Tallahassee. We find out how the park plays a role in bringing art and culture to our area, while bringing the community together.
Go With The Flow for Art & Exercise (Season 1, Episode 13)
The Flow Movement Arts Studio in Tallahassee’s Railroad Square works to help people find the balance between exercise and entertainment. The studio teaches classes on various performance arts activities like Poi, Hula Hoop, Silks, Juggling, and more. WFSU Producer Brian Rochet talked with teachers and students at the studio.
Suzanne Smith is Executive Producer for Television at WFSU Public Media. She oversees the production of local programs at WFSU, is host of WFSU Local Routes, and a regular content contributor.
Suzanne’s love for PBS began early with programs like Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and continues to this day. She earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri with minors in political science and history. She also received a Master of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of Florida.
Suzanne spent many years working in commercial news as Producer and Executive Producer in cities throughout the country before coming to WFSU in 2003. She is a past chair of the National Educational Telecommunications Association’s Content Peer Learning Community and a member of Public Media Women in Leadership organization.
In her free time, Suzanne enjoys spending time with family, reading, watching television, and exploring our community.
