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From Design Camp to New York:

MTSU Art and Design Student Earns International Illustration Recognition

Lila Gordon, a graphic design major with the MTSU Department of Art and Design, holds a print of her illustration, A Little Fishy, selected for exhibition in the 2026 Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship Competition in New York City. Gordon’s work was one of only 216 selected from more than 4,550 international entries. (MTSU News)

A smiling Lila Gordon wearing glasses and a backwards cap stands indoors holding a large, illustrated poster featuring colorful vintage-inspired sardine can label designs. The hand-drawn composition includes multiple stylized seafood packaging graphics in bright reds, blues, yellows, and oranges, arranged in a grid-like format. The student poses against a neutral gallery-style wall while displaying the artwork directly toward the camera.
An MTSU Department of Art and Design senior graphic design student earned international recognition for her illustration work, further highlighting the strength of the department’s student-centered creative environment and commitment to professional development.

Lila Gordon was selected for the 2026 Student Scholarship Competition hosted by the Society of Illustrators, one of the most respected institutions in the illustration and design fields. From more than 4,550 submissions received internationally, only 216 works were chosen for exhibition, placing Gordon among a select group of emerging illustrators recognized at the highest student level.

Her selected piece, A Little Fishy, began as a classroom project and evolved into a richly detailed digital illustration inspired by a summer study experience in Cincinnati. The work combines stylized tinned fish packaging, typography, color, and intricate linework into a visually layered composition.

Illustrated poster titled A Little Fishy by Lila Gordon featuring colorful vintage-style sardine tins arranged across a textured cream background. The composition includes bright orange, teal, red, and yellow packaging designs with stylized fish, lemons, olives, and decorative typography inspired by retro seafood labels. Medium listed as digital using Procreate, InDesign, and Photoshop.

Image: A Little Fishy, 2026 Student Scholarship Competition Winners Gallery

“I decided to make an illustration that captured the beauty and variety of something seemingly mundane,” Gordon said. “I enjoyed illustrating all the intricate details of the cans and adding my own stylized twist.”

The illustration was created during Design Camp, a three-week summer course led by Graphic Design Director and Associate Professor Noël Lorson that combines travel, observation, and hands-on design practice. Students immerse themselves in a city environment, gathering inspiration and source material that later inform studio-based creative projects.

Portrait of MTSU design professor Noel Lorson smiling in front of a blue backdrop. She wears glasses and a white blouse with green and yellow embroidered trim at the neckline and has shoulder-length curly dark hair.

Noël Lorson

“It’s an amazing piece that combines typography, image, and color and deserves to be recognized,” Lorson said. “When the entire faculty works together to educate students throughout their academic careers, you see results like this.”

Associate Illustration Professor Tony Rodriguez encouraged Gordon to submit the work to the competition and noted the significance of the recognition within the professional illustration community.

Portrait of MTSU illustration professor Tony Rodriguez smiling toward the camera. He wears a blue checkered button-down shirt against a neutral studio-style background.

Tony Rodriguez

“Having your work recognized by the Society of Illustrators means it meets a professional, industry-wide standard,” Rodriguez said. “It’s validation from the same people who are hiring and commissioning work.”

Rodriguez also credited Gordon’s discipline, initiative, and consistency throughout her coursework.

“She submits work early, her ideas are strong, and her drive to create exceptional work is what truly sets her apart,” he said.

For Gordon, the recognition was an unexpected yet meaningful milestone.

“I was absolutely shocked when I found out, and thrilled my work made it in,” she said.

While the award does not include a monetary prize, inclusion in the exhibition carries substantial professional visibility. Selected works are exhibited in New York City and viewed by art directors, agencies, publishers, and industry professionals, often creating pathways for freelance opportunities and future careers.

Gordon said her experience at MTSU helped prepare her for the next chapter.

MTSU graphic design student Lila Gordon stands beside her capstone project during the Spring 2026 Graphic Design B.F.A. Exhibition. The illuminated display, titled “Life & Light: Bioluminescence,” features colorful graphics, scientific imagery, and glowing design elements exploring marine bioluminescence.

Lila Gordon stands beside her senior showcase project during the Graphic Design B.F.A. Exhibition at the Todd Art Gallery on April 27, 2026.

“I’ve gained so much invaluable knowledge from the design classes I’ve taken and built lasting connections with my peers and professors,” she said.

Following graduation, Gordon plans to continue developing her freelance illustration practice while expanding her professional portfolio.

Her recognition reflects the broader impact of MTSU’s graphic design program, which emphasizes mentorship, hands-on learning, creative exploration, and real-world application. Through opportunities such as Design Camp, collaborative studio experiences, and national and international competitions, students are encouraged to develop both professionally and creatively.

As Gordon’s work travels to an exhibition in New York, it represents not only an individual achievement but also the continued momentum of a program preparing students to create, communicate, and compete at the highest levels.

Free and open to all, the Department of Art and Design’s Todd Art Gallery (TAG) offers exhibitions and programs that bring campus and community together through shared creative experiences.

Four people stand inside a skateboard and record shop surrounded by colorful skateboard decks mounted on the wall. At center-right, MTSU graphic design student Lila Gordon smiles while holding her illustrated skateboard deck during the recent LRB Skate and Record Shop Skateboard Illustration Challenge, where she earned first place. Other participants and organizers stand beside her holding additional custom skateboard designs featuring detailed black-and-white and brightly colored illustrations.

Lila Gordon, a senior graphic design major at Middle Tennessee State University, second from right, poses with fellow competitors and the owner of LRB Skate and Record Shop during the recent LRB Skateboard Illustration Challenge. Gordon earned first place after creating an original skateboard design within the competition’s 15-hour timeframe. (MTSU News)

Artistic Expressions: Let Your Voice Be Heard

A Contemporary Juried Exhibition Opening at TAG in August 2026

TAG Exhibition Dates: August 8 – 29, 2026

MTSU, Todd Art Building, Room 224A

Opening Reception: 1 p.m.–Saturday, August 8

Artists’ Panel Talk and Discussion: 11:30 a.m.–Thursday, August 27

Beauty & Braids by James Threalkill Colorful contemporary portrait painting of a woman with long braided hair posed against a vivid red textured background. Her head tilts upward with eyes closed, while expressive palette-knife brushwork and mosaic-like color accents create a layered, energetic surface.

Beauty & Braids by James Threalkill

Celebrate the power of creativity as a voice for emotion, storytelling, and personal vision.  Through this collaboration, Expressions seeks to highlight the creative arts that can transcend words, capture the essence of human experience, and offer viewers a deeper connection to the artists’ inner world.

Together, these professional and emerging artists engage in a compelling conversation about the pressing issues of contemporary life.  From intricately detailed drawings and collages to layered abstractions, mixed media, sculptural constructions, painting to photography, graphic and digital art, their works are relevant and engaging, combining personal views with universal concerns.  Themes addressed in this exhibition range from environmental and cultural hybridity to navigating complex social realities like memory, data, AI system expansion, and identity fluidity, using art for social commentary to uplift and critique.  Some artists even reimagine and press forward beyond these themes, embracing futuristic realities. Traditional techniques are thus pushed into experimental and innovative spaces.

The exhibition include works from Daniel Arite, Barbara Higgins Bond, Gail Clemons, Mariah Clemons, Kimberly Dummons, Samuel L. Dunson, Dalia Garcia, Samira Hardcastle, Barbara Hodges, Leroy Hodges, Sisavanh Houghton, David Ikard, Dayo Johnson, Henry L. Jones, Neely Jordan, DaShawn Lewis, Michael McBride, Rod McGaha, Michael Mucker, Jimmy Mumford, Wee S. Ng, Robert Orr. Jr, Mamta Patel, Yakruti Patel, Xavier Payne, Destiney Powell, Jairo Prado, Tony Rodriguez, Ashley Seay, Nadine Shillingford, Thandiwe Shiphrah, James Threalkill, Ruben Torres, Tricia Townes, Betty Turney-Turner, Maya Turner, Jennifer Tweedie, Lilliana Velez, Craig Watkins, Mary R. Watkins, Gary L. White, Carlton Wilkinson, and Donna Woodley. 

Most of us make art, look at art, read about art, think about art, and believe in the power to transform our lives.  These artistic works excel at doing just that, sparking critical conversation and reflection.   Art remains a catalyst for visibility and social change, spanning painting, textiles, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media. The works on view reflect each artist’s distinct voice while collectively offering a tapestry of contemporary expression.  The viewers are invited to explore the intersection of familiarity and fresh vision – honoring enduring connection while embracing bold new perspectives.  This exhibit brings together a dynamic group of artists whose work reflects a rich spectrum of voices, practices, and perspectives.

The Church Lady by Leroy Hodges Bold, brightly colored figurative painting of a seated woman in a purple floral dress and wide-brimmed hat. The figure is surrounded by abstract geometric forms and vibrant contrasting colors including red, yellow, green, blue, and orange, giving the composition a lively, expressive atmosphere.

The Church Lady by Leroy Hodges

Returning to TAG

By special request, Carlton Wilkinson’s Crucifixion returns for an encore viewing during the August 2026 exhibition. Originally shown in 2025, the work gained renewed attention after an Art and Design educator discovered her father’s signature among the handwritten inscriptions covering the piece, revealing an unexpected personal connection with Lexington, Kentucky. The rediscovery sparked ongoing conversations surrounding memory, participation, and the evolving life of artwork through audience interaction.

Signed Artwork Display Framed mixed-media artwork featuring a black-and-white photographic figure with outstretched arms and patterned shorts, surrounded by handwritten signatures and notes in red and black ink on a light background. The piece appears commemorative or collaborative in nature and is displayed within a simple wood frame.

Crucifixion by Carlton Wilkinson

Artists’ Panel Talk and Discussion

Carlton Wilkinson returns to TAG as moderator and featured MC for the 2nd Annual Artist Panel Talk, scheduled for 11:30 a.m., Thursday, August 27, 2026, in the Todd Art Gallery, Todd Art Building. Known for his engaging storytelling, artistic insight, and long-standing connections within the creative community, Wilkinson will guide a conversation centered on artistic practice, lived experience, and the evolving role of visual storytelling in contemporary culture.

Todd Community Bulletin Board

New calls, events, artist visits, fundraisers, and pop-ups are added throughout the week.


Curated announcements relevant to MTSU Art & Design students, alumni, and faculty.
Inclusion does not imply endorsement by MTSU.

Updated Regularly

Last Updated: Apr. 16, 2026

🟡 Studio Workshop: Experimental Prints

Fall 2026 / Professor Satinover / MW 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Explore a variety of non-traditional printmaking processes this Fall.

A colorful promotional poster for a studio course titled “Studio Workshop: Experimental Prints.” The layout is split, with the left side featuring a vibrant, surreal collage artwork composed of disembodied hands, eyes, mouths, and abstract shapes in bright colors like pink, blue, green, and yellow. The imagery feels playful and slightly uncanny, layered in a mixed-media style. On the right side, the course information appears over a faded version of the same artwork. Text reads: “Fall 2026 / Satinover / MW 11am – 2pm.” A QR code is centered beneath the title with the caption “Scan QR Code for Course Schedule.” The Department of Art and Design at Middle Tennessee State University logo is included nearby. At the bottom, a description explains that the course explores non-traditional printmaking processes, including large-scale collaged works, working in series, and making prints without a press, aimed at students interested in mixed media approaches.

🟢 Art In The Park

Kickoff to the 48th Elsie Quarterman Cedar Glade Wildflower Festival

Erin Anfinson teaches a natural inks and dye class as a kickoff for the Elsie Quarterman Cedar Glade Festival at Cedars of Lebanon State Park. More Information: Cedars of Lebanon State Park or image QR Code.

Where: Cedar Forest Lodge, located in Cedars of Lebanon State Park

Time of Workshops – 9:30 a.m.–Making Inks and Dyes from Nature with Erin Anfinson, and 1 p.m.–Journaling in Nature with Mary Priestly

Date and Times: Thurs., Apr. 30, 2026

Cost: $10 admission / 9:30 a.m.

Symposium Calendar: Select image to Enlarge

Promotional flyer for an upcoming program titled “Art in the Park,” a kickoff event for the 48th Elsie Quarterman Cedar Glade Wildflower Festival. The design features logos for the Tennessee Native Plant Society, Tennessee State Parks, and the Center for Cedar Glade Studies at Middle Tennessee State University. The event takes place April 30, 2026, at Cedar Forest Lodge. Two sessions are listed: “Making Inks and Dyes from Nature” at 9:30 a.m. with Erin Anfinson, and “Journaling in Nature” at 1:00 p.m. with Mary Priestley. The cost is $10 per session. A description highlights hands-on workshops connecting art and nature through journaling and natural dye-making. A QR code and registration link are included on the right, and contact emails appear on the left. The background uses blue tones with botanical imagery, including flowers, leaves, and natural materials.

Image: Erin Anfinson/Gallery Staff

Updated: Apr. 15, 2026

🟡 MTSU Art and Design Senior Symposium

The Symposium is an essential component of the academic evaluation process for Art and Design majors, as mandated by the state. As an initiative, it aims to assess students’ academic progress and is integral to ongoing accreditation reports. Scheduled for mid-April 2026, the Symposium involves students presenting their research to faculty and peers, allowing for feedback and evaluation.

Where: Todd Art Building, Room 204

Symposium Dates: Apr. 15 – 17, 2026

Symposium Calendar: Select image to Enlarge

A bold, color-blocked schedule poster titled “Art & Design Senior Symposium” for April 15, 16, and 17, held in Todd 204. The layout is divided by day with large headers and horizontal time slots listing student presenters and faculty respondents. Wednesday (yellow background): Sessions run from 9–10 AM through 3–4 PM, with multiple student names listed per hour alongside faculty including Sheri Selph, Kathleen O’Connell, Joshua Lynn, Noel Lorson, Tony Rodriguez, and others. Thursday (blue background): Sessions include 8–9 AM and 11–12 PM, with student presenters and faculty such as Jennifer Gagliardi, Laura Cochrane, Joshua Lynn, and Tony Rodriguez. Friday (pink background): Sessions from 11–12 PM through 1–2 PM, again pairing student presenters with faculty including Laura Cochrane, Kate Kinder, Jake Wells, Erin Anfinson, and Holly Strickland. The design uses bold black typography, structured columns separating student names from faculty, and a clean grid format for readability.

Updated: Apr. 9, 2026

🟡 MTSU Art Education students brought learning

to life through a collaborative visit to John Pittard Elementary.

The Art Education Elementary Methods class presented a puppet show for second-grade classes as part of a Fairy Garden project developed alongside Murfreesboro City Schools’ John Pittard Elementary students in grades 2 and 6.

The work will be featured at John Pittard’s Fine Arts Night from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Special thanks to Sasha Burnette, MTSU alum and art teacher at John Pittard Elementary, for supporting this ongoing collaboration.

A colorful puppet show performance takes place in a classroom setting, featuring handmade puppets on a stage decorated with bright, whimsical scenery including oversized flowers and stylized trees. Several puppets, each with distinct costumes and expressive faces, appear above the stage as they perform. In the foreground, a group of elementary school students sits on the floor watching attentively. The production is a collaborative project between Art Education majors and 2nd and 6th grade students from John Pittard Elementary in Murfreesboro City Schools.

🔴 Crafting the Early Modern Book

A Gallery Talk by Dr. Laura Cochrane

In the Walker Library Reading Room, engage and discover with Dr. Laura Cochrane as she explores the craft traditions, materials, and technical knowledge behind the creation and decoration of early printed books.

Images left to right: Historic woodcut illustration of early modern printing practices, depicting the collaborative labor of press operation and book production | Marbled paper design used in bookbinding, demonstrating decorative surface techniques common in early modern book covers and endpapers | Illustration of traditional bookbinding techniques, highlighting the craftsmanship and hand processes involved in early book production

This talk offers insight into bookmaking as both a functional process and a highly skilled artistic practice.

4:00 p.m.—Thursday, April 9, 2026

Walker Library Special Collections, 4th Floor

The presentation is held in conjunction with the Special Collections exhibition:

The Art, Technology, and Craft of the Book (Spring 2026)

🟢 &THEN 2026 – Graphic Design Senior Show

Graphic Design BFA Senior Exhibition: &Then
April 23–29, 2026
Todd Art Gallery, Room 224A | Middle Tennessee State University

The Department of Art and Design presents &Then, the 2026 Graphic Design BFA Senior Exhibition, featuring work by 39 graduating designers.

This capstone exhibition highlights a range of contemporary design practices, including branding, publication design, digital media, motion graphics, packaging, and experimental visual communication. Each project reflects the development of a unique creative voice and a transition from academic study into professional practice.

Step Into the Library

A stylized promotional poster for the 2026 Graphic Design Senior Show titled “&Then 2026.” The design features a teal background with ornate vintage-style cream-colored borders and typography. On the left, a detailed illustration of an owl perches, adding a scholarly, library-inspired tone. Centered text reads “Step Into the Library,” followed by event details: Main Todd Gallery, opening reception on Saturday, April 25, from 1:00 to 4:00, with free entry and refreshments provided. At the bottom, viewers are invited to follow @mtsusenorshow for more information.

Presented under the guidance of faculty instructors Sheri Selph, Stephanie Simkin, and Melody Tang.

Free and open to all.
Come experience the next step in design, what comes next… &THEN.

🟡 Call for Student Artwork | TAG: Murfree Art Gallery

We’re currently gathering work for an upcoming student exhibition in TAG’s off-campus collaborative showspace: Murfree Art Gallery.

We primarily seek 2D artwork. Small 3D works may also be considered, though space is limited. Students may submit up to 3 pieces, and 2D work should not exceed 3 ft x 4 ft.

Bright, paint-splattered poster announcing a call for student artwork for the Murfree Gallery Exhibition with drop-off details in Todd Hall rooms 226 and 224B.

Please Note: Exhibiting in a Public Space
This exhibition takes place in a public government facility. Submitted work must be appropriate for a broad audience and civic setting.

All artwork should avoid explicit, violent, drug-related, or overtly political imagery, as well as content that could be easily misinterpreted in a public environment.

All work will be reviewed for overall suitability.

To submit work, drop it off with Eric Snyder in Room 226 or Rick Rishaw in Room 224B.

Dropping off work does not guarantee inclusion. Space is limited, and selections will be made as work is received, so we encourage you to bring your work in as soon as possible.

Updated: Mar. 31, 2026

🟡 Summer 2026 Classes in Art and Design

Summer 2026 Class Schedule

Summer Dates: May 18–August 7, 2026

Summer Terms: Calendar

Questions: Art and Design

Screenshot-style image of the Summer 2026 course schedule for the MTSU Department of Art and Design. The heading “Summer 26” appears handwritten at the top. The schedule is presented as a dark table with rows and columns listing course details such as CRN, subject, course number, section, credit hours, title, days, times, capacity, instructor, dates, location, and notes. Courses include Introduction to the Visual Arts, Survey of Western Art, Wheel Throwing, and multiple ART 4001 studio workshops such as Wax Casting, Natural Dyes and Pigments, Mural Making, Color Theory, Mixed Media Encaustic, Riso/Zines/Printed Ephemera, and Design Camp. Instructors, meeting times, and locations (including Todd Art Building rooms and online formats) are shown, with some entries highlighted in green. A smaller section at the bottom lists graphic design courses, including Topics in Graphic Design and a Graphic Design Internship.
🟢 Studio Workshop – Natural Dyes, Inks, and Pigments

Learn to make Natural Dyes, Inks, and Pigments from eco-friendly materials.

Course Dates: May 18–Jun. 5, 2026, Mon-Thur – 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Where: Todd Art Building, Room 351

Registration Dates: Apr 06–May 18, 2026

Class Details: Natural Dyes, Inks, and Pigments

Questions: Erin Anfinson

Flyer for Summer 2026 ART 4001-02 Studio Workshop titled “Natural Dyes, Inks, and Pigments.” Course details include CRN 51137, instructor Erin Anfinson, and dates May 18–June 5, meeting Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The flyer features images of colorful dyed fibers, a mortar and pestle with pigment powder, and natural materials like flowers used for dyeing. Text describes learning to create eco-friendly dyes, inks, and pigments, including preparing textiles, dyeing with natural materials, making natural inks, producing powdered pigments from minerals and plant sources, and applying pigments with natural binders. Additional topics include recipes, chemistry, and studio safety. Contact email listed as Erin.Anfinson@mtsu.edu .
🟢Studio Workshop – Design Camp

Learn to make Type and Images with non-traditional media: reuse, repurpose, recycle. Design Camp: A Creative Adventure

Course Dates: May 18–June 4, 2026, Mon-Thur – 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Where: Todd Art Building, Room 333, when not outside

Registration Dates: Apr. 06 – May 18, 2026

Class Details: Design Camp 2026

Questions: Noel Lorson

Flyer for Middle Tennessee State University “Design Camp 2026.” The design features a badge-style logo with stars and colorful typography at the top. Text reads “ART 4001: a creative adventure” with dates May 18–June 4, 2026, meeting Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The course is listed as a Studio Elective or Graphic Design Elective. Instructor is Noël Lorson, with contact email provided. Description notes creating type and imagery using non-traditional media such as reuse and recycling, with outdoor activities for visual journaling and project planning. The flyer highlights field trips with the phrase “be ready for anything.” Images along the bottom show students working, printed design projects, urban street scenes, and group outings.
🟢Studio Workshop – Mixed-Media Encaustic

Learn to create Mixed-Media Encaustic by applying paint techniques on board and paper.

Course Dates: Jun. 8–26, 2026, Mon-Thur – 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Where: Todd Art Building, Room 351

Registration Dates: Apr. 06 – Jun. 8, 2026

Class Details: Mixed-Media Encaustic

Questions: Erin Anfinson

Flyer for Summer 2026 ART 4001-05 Studio Workshop titled “Mixed Media Encaustic.” Course details include CRN 51859, instructor Erin Anfinson, and dates June 8–June 23, meeting Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The flyer features images of encaustic art materials, including wax-based paints, brushes, and layered mixed media artworks. Text describes learning techniques such as encaustic paint application on board and paper, monoprinting, traditional and water-soluble encaustic methods, image transfer, and collage. Contact email listed as Erin.Anfinson@mtsu.edu .

Updated: Mar. 11, 2026

🔴MTSU Artists Call

Show your artwork in TAG 210 and be a part of the Gallery Practicum Class Exhibition. Submission Deadline: Monday, March 16. Scan the image code to apply.

Exhibit: Apr. 2–8, 2026
Where: TAG: 210, Todd Art Building, Room 210.

Poster for MTSU Artists, an open call for the Gallery Practicum exhibition. Applications due March 16, 2026. A QR code links to the application. Exhibition will be held in Todd 210. If you'd like, I can also give you a “TAG Bulletin Board locked version” that follows the same short, consistent formula you’ve been using across the site (title → deadline → action → location). That tends to make the page much easier to scan.

🟢Interdisciplinary Minors Fair

Explore interdisciplinary minors in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), connect with faculty and students, and discover how a minor can enrich your plan of study.

  • CLA invites your participation
  • When: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.—Tuesday, March 17, 2026
  • Where: Peck Hall Breezeway

Updated: Feb. 25, 2026

🟢Student Art Alliance Movie Night

Everyone is Welcome, and bring your own baked goods to share.

Purple flyer for Student Art Alliance Movie Night featuring film icons and a filmstrip design. Event details: February 26 in Todd Room 204, movie starts at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome and attendees are invited to bring baked goods to share.

SAA invites MTSU students and faculty
When: Feb. 26 | 6:30 PM
Where: Todd Art Building, Room 204

🔴Call for Submissions Extended

Green and blue textured promotional poster for HYPE, a juried design show in the Todd Glass Gallery, March 18 through April 8. Submissions extended. Includes QR code and deadline closing March 4. Sponsored by the AIGA MTSU Student Group.

AIGA, MTSU Student Group, invites you to apply for their upcoming HYPE SHOW, a Juried Design event.
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, March 4. Scan the image code to apply.

Exhibit: Mar. 18–April 8, 2026
Where: TAG: Glass Gallery, Todd Art Building, Room 224.

🟡Student Art Alliance Craft Night

Join SAA for an evening in celebration of the Spring Equinox.

Yellow and green floral-themed flyer for Student Art Alliance Craft Night. Event invites participants to make paper flowers and garlands for the Spring Equinox. March 4 at 6 p.m. in Todd Room 236.

SAA invites you to craft paper flowers and garlands
When: Mar. 4 | 6 PM
Where: Todd Art Building, Room 204

Updated: Feb. 20, 2026

🟢Community Exhibition | All-Female Art Show

ONE NIGHT ONLY! An annual art experience like no other. The Malia Matsumoto POP-up Gallery returns with another pop culture-themed show featuring…

MTSU Art & Design students, alumni, and community artists
When: Feb. 21 | 6–9 PM
Where: The Laboratory Gallery

Curated by Claudia V. Caldarola

🔴Skate Night

When: Friday, Feb. 27, 2026
Where: Skate Center West, 849 W. College
Sponsor: AIGA, MTSU Student Design Club

AIGA Student Graphic Design Club Skate Night, Frid., Feb. 27, 2026. Poster of violet and violet hues. Skate at Skate Center West, 849 w. College St, Admission .00. 80's outfits encouraged

Updated: Feb. 19, 2026

🟡 Saturdays At Todd: Weaving with Reclaimed Materials

When: Saturday, Mar 21, 2026
Where: MTSU Todd Art Building, Room 236
Experience Leader: Catiebeth Thomas

Register at Saturdays At Todd

Flyer for Saturdays At Todd: Weaving with Reclaimed Materials in MTSU Todd Hall, room 236, Saturday, March 21, 2026, noon to 2 pm. This experience is led by Art and Design Alum Catiebeth Thomas. Background image shows green and blue toned fibers.

Updated: Feb. 14, 2026

🟢Summer Study Scholarship Opportunity

When: From May through September 2026
Where: Arrowmont Center for Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN | Shakerag Workshops, Sewanee, TN | Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville, TN
Hosted by: Tennessee Craft

Purple Tennessee Craft Summer Study Scholarship graphic announcing applications open December 1, 2025, deadline February 15, 2026. Workshops run May to September at Appalachian Center for Craft, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and Shakerag Workshops. Includes QR codes and contact email erin.anfison@mtsu.edu

🟢HYPE SHOW – Call for Submissions

When: Submission Deadline: Feb. 25, 2026 | Exhibit: March 18–April 8
Where: Use image code to submit | See HYPE in TAG: Glass Gallery, Todd Art Building, Room 224
Hosted by: AIGA-MTSU Student Design Group

Promotional poster for “HYPE SHOW,” a juried design exhibition in the Todd Glass Gallery, March 18 to April 8. Submissions open now and close February 25. Includes a QR code and notes sponsorship by the AIGA MTSU student group. Poster features bold dotted typography in red, white, and blue with a halftone pointing hand.

Updated: Feb. 8, 2026

🔴Valentine’s Craft Night & Print Pop-Up

When: Monday, February 9, 4–8 p.m.
Where: Todd Hall, Room 354

Valentine-themed crafting plus student print sales, a perfect stop for handmade gifts and quick studio shopping.

Flyer for Valentine’s Day Craft Night and Interest Meeting, Monday February 9, Todd Hall Room 354, drop in 4 to 8 p.m., hosted by Tulip Poplar Press, with pizza around 6 p.m.

🔴 Valentine’s Market (Student Art Alliance)

When: Thursday, February 12, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: Todd Art Hall, second-floor lobby adjacent to Todd Art Gallery (TAG)
Hosted by: Student Art Alliance

Shop handmade work from MTSU art students and support one of the department’s student organizations during this daytime pop-up market.

🔴 DIY Valentine’s Night (AIGA Student Group)

When: Thursday, February 12, 6 p.m.
Where: Todd Hall, Room 333
Hosted by AIGA Student Design Club

Create cards, crafts, and Valentine surprises in this evening event hosted by AIGA students.

🟡 Department-Sponsored: MTSU Spring 2026 Print Exchange

What: Student-organized print exchange supported by the MTSU Department of Art & Design
Who: Printmaking students

Curated by: Print Media student, J. Williams, Questions: jnw6y@mtmail.mtsu.edu

Timeline:

  • Sign-up closes: Friday, February 20
  • Prints due: Friday, April 24
  • Pick-up day: Thursday, April 30

Build an edition, trade work with peers, and add a portfolio piece through this department-supported exchange.

🟢 Call for Entries: 22nd Annual Rites of Passage Exhibition

Open to current and recent undergraduate students. Juried exhibition with cash awards, honoraria, and publication opportunities.

Deadline: Sunday, March 8, 2026
More information & application: manifestgallery.org/rites

🟢 Artist Residency & Scholar in Residence Programs, Manifest Gallery

One-year residency opportunities for emerging and established artists in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Deadline: Thursday, April 9, 2026
Details: manifestgallery.org/mar

🟢 Grand Jury Awards, Manifest Gallery Season 22

Season-long competitive awards recognizing outstanding work in juried exhibitions.

Award: $1,000 cash prize for each exhibition period

Deadline: Sunday, March 8, 2026
Details: manifestgallery.org/projects

Aesthetics

Program Notes

Banner image of Andrew L. Todd Hall tinted blue with the headline “Aesthetics” and subtitle “A Newsletter of the MTSU Department of Art and Design,” plus navigation text listing Foundations, Art Education, Art History, Graphic Design, Studio Art, Visual Arts, and Todd Art Galleries.

February 2026

The Art of the Quilt

Finely crafted quilts and quilt traditions by the Murfreesboro Quilting Bees

Quilting tells stories through pattern, patience, and shared hands. This winter and spring, Todd Art Gallery and the MTSU Department of Art and Design are honored to host and sponsor a trio of events celebrating the work of the Murfreesboro Quilting Bees. From an afternoon fabric-weaving workshop and a sampler exhibition in the Glass Gallery to their annual quilt exhibition at Lane Agri Park, these events highlight quilting as both an art form and a living community tradition.

Calendar of Events

1 – 3 p.m., Saturday, February 14 – Saturdays At Todd Workshop: 5-Color Fabric Weaving Workshop, MTSU Todd Art Building, Room 236

Register

Saturday, February 28 – Saturday, March 14 – TAG: Glass Gallery Sampler, MTSU Todd Art Building, Room 224

Saturday, and Sunday, March 20 and 21 – Quilts in the Boro, Lane Agri-Park Community Center, 315 John R Rice Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37129

Quilting Bees
Quilted artwork depicting a large Caterpillar dump truck rendered with sharp, crisp detail, using layered fabric and stitching to create depth and realism.
Detail from an art quilt featured in Quilts in the Boro 2026
Promotional poster for Quilts in the Boro 2026, a two-day quilt exhibition presented by the Quilting Bees of Murfreesboro, held March 20–21, 2026 at the Lane Agri-Park Community Center, featuring more than 100 modern, art, traditional, and antique quilts.
Event poster for Quilts in the Boro 2026.

Accessibility Notice
This program will take place at Lane-Agri Park. The venue offers accessible parking and restroom facilities. Participants with accessibility questions or specific needs are encouraged to contact the Quilting Bees of Murfreesboro in advance so accommodations and logistics can be discussed.

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MTSU Department of Art and Design and Todd Art Gallery (TAG) Present

Fall 2025 Senior BFA Studio Art Exhibition

The MTSU Department of Art and Design announces the Fall 2025 Senior Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Studio Art Exhibition, showcasing the culminating work of Charles Elwell, Dawn Fós, Chloe Keef, Tanya Sharma, and Aliyah Shuman.

The exhibition will run from November 17 to December 3, 2025, in the Todd Art Gallery, Todd Hall, Room 224A, with an opening reception at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 17. The event is free and open to the community.

These emerging artists have developed their final bodies of work under the mentorship of MTSU’s Studio Art faculty, including Assistant Professor of Ceramics Kelsey Duncan, Professor of Painting Sisavanh Houghton, Professors of Print Media Kathleen O’Connell and Nick Satinover, and Associate Professor of Sculpture Michael Baggarly. Their guidance has helped shape each student’s artistic voice, technical advancement, and professional readiness.

The exhibition’s Todd Art Gallery TAGline— Exit Through the Studio! —honors the creative momentum these students carry as they depart the academic environment and step into their evolving careers.

For gallery hours, parking information, and accessibility details, visit mtsu.edu/art.

Image: Fall 2025 Senior BFA Studio Art Exhibition, design, Charles Elwell, gallery staff. Participating students include Elwell, Dawn Fós, Chloe Keef, Tanya, Sharma, and Aliyah Shuman

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