Aesthetics

Program Notes

January 2026

Exhibitions · Education · Engagement · Community

MTSU Art and Design Student Scholarships

Art and Design Students, don’t delay – Scholarship Deadlines are approaching soon!

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Spring 2026 TAG Opening Exhibition:

Todd Art Gallery, Todd Hall, Room 224A

Yokai Parade: Supernatural Monsters from Japan

January 20–February 24, 2026

Image: collage of Yokai Parade artwork, detail

The exhibition introduces audiences to the evolving world of yokai, the legendary spirits, monsters, and mysterious beings of Japan, through historic picture scrolls, Nishiki-e woodblock prints, books, toys, paper games, and materials from modern popular culture.

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Image: Quilting Bees, detail

Saturdays At Todd:
Five-Color Fabric Weaving Workshop

1:00–3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 14, 2026

Todd Hall, Room 236 | MTSU

Join us for a hands-on Five-Color Fabric Weaving Workshop led by Rebecca Anthony of the Quilting Bees of Murfreesboro. This workshop introduces participants to fabric weaving as a creative and expressive textile process, combining pattern, color, texture, and storytelling through the interlacing of fabric strips and fibers.

This workshop is well-suited for both beginners and those with prior experience in sewing, quilting, or fiber arts. All participants are expected to attend for the full duration.

Registration is required.
• Limited to 20 participants, ages 14 and above
• Registration closes Tuesday, February 10 (or earlier if capacity is reached)

👉 Register here: Five-Color Fabric Weaving Workshop  

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Quilting Bees Sampler Exhibition

TAG Glass Gallery, Todd Art Building, Room 224

February 28–March 14, 2026

Following the January Five-Color Fabric Weaving Workshop, Todd Art Gallery will present a Glass Gallery Sampler Show featuring the quilt-based fine craft artwork by the members of the Quilting Bees of Murfreesboro. This intimate exhibition highlights a variety of techniques, materials, and creative approaches, inviting viewers to experience quilting up close and discover how fiber traditions come alive in a gallery setting.

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Join Art and Design in support this March 20 and 21 as the Quilting Bees host their annual quilt show at Murfreesboro and Rutherford County’s Lane-Agri Park.

Quilts in the Boro

MTSU Art & Design students can earn extra credit by attending Quilts in the Boro 2026, a large-scale community quilt show presented by the Quilting Bees of Murfreesboro. The show features 100+ quilts representing modern, traditional, artistic, and antique styles, offering a close look at quilting as both a creative practice and a cultural tradition.

In addition to the quilt displays, the weekend includes hands-on activities and special programming.

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Artist Talks

Visiting Artists · Hosted by Tony Rodriguez · Presented via Zoom

In February, Art and Design presents two visiting artist talks featuring conversations on process, artistic philosophy, and professional practice. Each session includes a presentation followed by Q&A and open discussion. Talks are open to students and the public and will be recorded and archived on the MTSU Department of Art and Design YouTube channel.

Questions: Tony.Rodriguez@mtsu.edu

Guest Artist: Bob Rissetto

3:45–5:45 p.m., Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Todd Art Building, Room 337 | MTSU

Are you interested in a career in animation and/or illustration?

Bob Rissetto is a veteran 2D artist, illustrator, and animator who has found success in both industries, and he’s joining me this semester to talk about his journey and process. One of the great things about having Bob as a guest artist is his incredible process PDFs—some of the clearest, most engaging, and easiest-to-understand resources for young artists and students.

If this sounds like your kind of thing, mark your calendars and come hang out with us!

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Guest Artist: Elise Hatheway

12:00–2:00 p.m., Monday, February 23, 2026

Todd Art Building, Room 348 | MTSU

Elise Hatheway, a seasoned Visual Development Artist based in Dallas, TX, has over 15 years of experience in the Illustration and animation industry. Elise specializes in environmental design and digital painting and has a particular love for color scripting. Her most recent accomplishment includes contributing to Paramount Animation’s “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” (2025). Among her diverse portfolio, she has worked on “Thelma the Unicorn”, “Maya and the Three”, “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part”, “Book of Life”, “Free Birds”, and “Ugly Dolls”. Throughout her career, Elise has collaborated with studios such as Sony Animation, Disney, Warner Bros, Netflix Animation, Animal Logic, Reel FX, Gaumont Animation, and Tangent Studios.
 
Are you a budding concept artist? Are you interested in learning more about concept art and visual development for TV and Film? Join Elise and Associate Professor Rodriguez for a presentation/conversation/ Q&A. 
 
We invite you to join the conversation; curious, engaged, and ready to explore the work of an exceptional guest artist.

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Contribute:

We’re always interested in hearing what’s happening in Art and Design, whether across campus or in the community. Aesthetics welcomes short, informal contributions from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners. Submissions may be image-driven and do not need to be fully polished; editorial support is provided.

To share ideas, images, or short drafts for a future issue, contact ToddArtGallery@mtsu.edu.

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Edited by Eric Snyder
MTSU Department of Art & Design | Todd Art Gallery (TAG)