By Georgia Ackerman
December 1, 2025–In early November, Apalachicola Riverkeeper partnered with artist George Blakely for a special benefit exhibit at SMALLS, a Tallahassee gallery founded by Cynthia Hollis. The Postcard, The Whole Postcard, and Nothing but the Postcard, featured over one hundred framed vintage postcard constructs created by George. The vintage landscape postcards, with different scenes from around the United States, were acquired on a summer road trip. Each was cut and arranged in a unique pattern by the artist. 
The event was a big success with an impressive turnout, including George’s colleagues, other artists, and former students. I oversaw the payment table with Allison Goodson, Ivo Marcich, and Rick Zelznak. It was so wonderfully busy, we barely had a moment to check out the art. However, we did meet some great people who cared about George and the work of Apalachicola Riverkeeper.
An outdoor enthusiast, George was frequently on the go–cycling, canoeing, and hiking (He travelled in a 4-wheel drive camper van). The Apalachicola River and its many creeks and side channels were frequented by George. George also joined the Rivertrek 2013 team with his dog Zone.
A few weeks prior to the exhibit, I met with Cynthia, George, and his partner Roxanne Conrow to discuss our plan for the one-day exhibit. George told me he wished to donate all proceeds from the event to Apalachicola Riverkeeper, and he would match the total if all the items were sold. Excitingly, all the constructs were indeed sold. With George’s generous financial match, the event brought in over $20,000 to support the work of Apalachicola Riverkeeper. What an incredible gift! Special thanks to Roxanne Conrow, Cynthia Hollis, and Su Ecenia making this joyful, memorable exhibit happen.
George Blakely went into hospice care shortly after the event and passed away November 24. May his legacy of brilliant art, adventure stories, and sharp wit be forever remembered.
Obituary
George Curtis Blakely, 74, FSU Art Professor Emeritus died November 24, 2025. George found his creativity and love of adventure growing up in Long Beach CA, and at his family-built cabin in the Mojave Desert.
A graduate of Cal State Fullerton and Tyler School of Art, George began teaching at FSU in 1978. As a professor of photography, George provided a truly experiential learning environment, teaching such classes as Fine Art and Fire Ants, or Landscrape, or H2-Uh-Oh. Students were warned, ever so slightly, that Professor Blakely was a boundary-pusher. He expanded their conception of what art-making can be and what materials can be used.
Blakely’s own artistic work, over a fifty-year span, ranged from the reuse of found photographs, picture postcards, and other objects. His work is contained in numerous collections including the George Eastman House.
George’s artistic mind melded with the need to experience the outdoor world in a very kinetic way. Thus, he was able to work both in the world of academics and artistic ideas, and also build a cabin in the woods, orienteer through unmarked forest trails, paddle most of the rivers in Florida, race as a member of an outrigger canoe team from Key West to the Bahamas, and bicycle cross-country for charity.
George is survived by “his person” Roxanne Conrow of Melrose FL, his family in California – brother Robert (Teresa) and nephews Jason, Jeff, and Christopher, and his four-legged companion Five2 of wherever she is.
George Blakely celebrated life and cherished the kindred souls he found along the way. Drink a toast in his honor, play outside of the box, and don’t feed your dog at the table.
