Department of Art

Todd Art Gallery

Welcome to the Todd Art Gallery (TAG) and MTSU’s Todd Hall! Below you will find information about our current exhibition on display. You can also find the Gallery Schedule for a complete list of all exhibitions during the year! For more information or if you have any further questions, please feel free to call us at (615) 898-5532 or (615) 898-2455 or via email at eric.snyder@mtsu.edu.

Todd Hall and Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

and open with Saturdays At Todd, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Todd Hall, Room 224A

In the Gallery

Todd Art Gallery is currently closed for the installation of The Art & History of Political Campaign Communication and will reopen 4:30 p.m., Tues., October 1, 2024, and resume its regular schedule 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Wed., October 2.

Coming Next – October 1

Unveiling History and Innovation: Don’t Miss this Landmark Exhibit on Political Campaign Communication

The Art & History of Political Campaign Communication: Selections from the Johnny Hayes Political Memorabilia Collection

Image: The late Johnny Hayes at his desk surrounded by pieces from his extensive political memorabilia collection

October 1–November 5, 2024

October 1, 2024, with Related Events, American Democracy and Political Communication Panel Discussion and The Art & History of Political Campaign Communication Exhibition Opening.

American Democracy and Political Communication

Panel Discussion – 3-4:30 p.m., Todd Hall, Room 204

An engaging dialogue on the historical potency of Political Campaign Memorabilia with distinguished guest speakers to further spotlight the Johnny Hayes Political Memorabilia Collection.

Discussion Panelists:

Dr. Beth Harwell, Former Speaker, TN State House of Representatives and MTSU Distinguished Professor

Lisa Quigley, former Chief of Staff for Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-05)

Prof. Kent Syler, former Chief of Staff for Rep. Bart Gordon (TN-06) and Professor of Political Science

Mark Tipps, Operating Partner and Counsel, Frist -Cressey Ventures, and former Chief of Staff for Sen. Wm. H. Frist, M.D.

Moderated by Dr. Louis M. Kyriakoudes, Director, Albert Gore Research Center

The Art & History of Political Campaign Communication

Exhibition Opening – 4:30-6 p.m., Todd Art Gallery, Todd Hall, Room 224A

Join the Albert Gore Research Center and the Department of Art and Design as we explore the history and artistry of political campaigning, tracing its evolution from the 19th century to today’s sophisticated strategies.

And join us in TAG Glass Gallery, Todd Hall, Room 224 for the opening of the synchronous exhibition

Women’s Rights Are Human Rights: International Posters on Gender-Based Inequality, Violence, and Discrimination

Image: Welcome to Equiterra, Where Gender Equality is Real. USA, UN Women, 2020, Illustration: Ruby Taylor, *Women’s Rights Are Human Rights: International Posters on Gender-Based Inequality, Violence, and Discrimination*

October 1–23, 2024

Discover this vibrant exhibition of 25 posters, a curated selection from over 100 pieces, that celebrates the power of art and design in championing human rights, gender equality, and sexual and reproductive rights. Handpicked by Kathleen O’Connell, Associate Professor of Print Media, these artworks boldly advocate for women’s empowerment and challenge societal norms. Experience the inspiration and join the movement for change.

Organized and curated by Professor Emerita Elizabeth Resnick, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston.

“Women’s Rights are Human Rights.” Accessed September 19, 2024. https://womensrightsarehumanrights.org.

Coming Soon

Cross-Cultural Creative Fusion: A Unique Conference and Exhibition Coming to MTSU and the Todd Art Gallery

The 6th Chinese American Art Faculty Symposium Exhibition

Thursday – Sunday, November 14 – 17, 2024

Join the Center for Asian Studies and the Department of Art and Design for an unprecedented gathering that bridges continents and cultures through the medium of art. As MTSU hosts the 6th Chinese American Symposium, the Todd Art Gallery companion exhibition is unlike any other, featuring a rich tapestry of academic idea exchanges, group discussions, and thematic speeches.

MTSU Department of Art and Design Unveils “Biennial 2024: An MTSU Art and Design Faculty Exhibition

MTSU Art and Design Biennial Faculty Exhibition

Thursday, November 21 – Thursday, December 12, 2024

Visit Todd Art Gallery for a captivating showcase of faculty members’ latest artworks. This esteemed event will be hosted in Todd Hall, Room 224A, marking a significan and impressive conclusion in the department’s fall exhibition calendar.

Related Events

Artists’ Reception: 2 – 3 p.m., Thursday, November 21

A campus-wide invitation to meet the faculty of the MTSU Department of Art and Design

Exhibition Reception: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, November 23

A community-wide opportunity for everyone to take in the artwork and take home inspiration.

Recents: In the Gallery

Thank you to Melissa Vandenberg and Shane Aday for an amazing visit on the 12th and a fantastic and extensive exhibition in PREY/TELL, selections from Melissa’s multimedia art practice! Best of Luck as you move on to your next great showing with Karlota I. Contreras-Koterbay, Director, Slocumb Galleries at East Tennessee State University!

PREY/TELL

An Exhibition of artwork from multi-faceted artist, educator, curator, and Eastern Kentucky University Giles Gallery Director Melissa Vandenberg.

On display through Friday, September 20, 2024

A special Artist Visit with Melissa, and husband, Shane Aday, a 2001 Alum of Art and Design and Co-Founder & Design Alchemist at Sodium Halogen is scheduled this Thursday, August 12.

Details

Visit Schedule

From PREY/TELL and Melissa Vandenberg
King Cotton Anaconda | Civil War era quilt and polyester

Studio Art B.F.A. Exhibit

March 28 – April 5

Annual Capstone Exhibit for majors with a concentration in Studio Art: Ceramics, Painting, Print Media, and Sculpture, nearing the completion of their academic studies

Openings: Campus, 2 p.m., Thursday, March 28, Community, 2 p.m., Saturday, March 30

Todd Art Gallery, Todd Hall, Room 224A

Participants include Megann Baker, Jillian DeGrie, Jacee Kuykendall, Sarah Leuthen, Kayleigh Messler, Kathryn Welch, Greer Wilkins

A Show about Texture, Memory, Repetition, Contrast, and Relationships

Spring 2024 Exhibition Calendar

SPECTRUM Member’s Juried Exhibition

Exhibition on display through Wednesday, January 31

Featuring members from the Radical Intersectional Printmakers’ Guild (RIPG), SPECTRUM is a broad invitation to share the rich tapestry of human experience, delving into the multifaceted spectrums of gender, sexuality, disability, ethnicity, migratory status, and race.

RIPG is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization designed to center the voices of marginalized printmakers and print-based artists. Collectively, RIPG cultivates an inclusive and open space where knowledge, experiences, and information relevant to the group’s membership can be shared. The organization aims to provide this aid in an accessible, transparent, and equitable way that encourages innovative strategies expanding the field of printmaking, print-media, and print-based activity. RIPG is a community for anyone involved in print at any level with the intent to focus support regionally and nationally.

Participants include Grace Bougher, Ina Kaur, Jake Lahah, Peri Law, Veronica Leto, Tristen Luken, Lilliana Reinoso, Jenny Sekaran, Becci Spruill, Taro Takizawa, Brett Taylor, Triangle Head Universe, Tanushree Vachharajani, and Carl Voss + Interrobang Projects.

SPECTRUM Juror: Fuko Ito

Meet the Juror

Follow Fuko Ito

SPECTRUM Zine

Risograph Printed

An iteration of the exhibit with the sale of each supporting the Radical Intersectional Printmakers Guild. For questions and to purchase: eric.snyder@mtsu.edu.

SPECTRUM Events

7 p.m.–Thursday, January 25, 2024, Artist Talk via Zoom with SPECTRUM Juror Fuko Ito.

Interested in participating contact Nicholas.Satinover@mtsu.edu for a meeting link

1–3 p.m.—Saturday, January 27, Saturdays At Todd Printmaking Open House, Todd Hall, Room 354

Everyone is welcome as no signup is required for this special Saturdays At Todd, Printmaking Open House. Here is your chance to see live printing, participate in a workshop, and view additional exhibitions from MTSU alums and faculty. Alena Mehić is printing an edition of hand-drawn stone lithographs, while Taylor Walton installs a wheat-paste mural-sized collage. Students from MTSU’s print club, Tulip Poplar Press, will be screen printing posters as take-away items. Gallery Six-Three (the display space adjacent Todd 354) will feature a series of new Risograph prints by Charlie Reynolds. There will be work from alums and past visitors to the MTSU Print Media area throughout the print studios.
A Risograph Printed Anthology of the Exhibition will be available for purchase in Todd Art Gallery. $15 per edition; proceeds go to support RIPG.

SMA Select 2024 Exhibition

February 8 – 23

Member artwork from the Mid-South Sculpture Alliance (MSA) visits the MTSU campus this February via MSA Select 2024, a dynamic juried exhibition of sculpture highlighting a variety of techniques, media, and content.

Mid-South Sculpture Alliance is a non-profit arts organization and an affiliate of the International Sculpture Center (ISC) that advances the creation and awareness of sculpture and sculptors. Its membership is open to anyone, anywhere, interested in and committed to sculpture – including sculptors, art educators, patrons, collectors, galleries, suppliers, architects, developers, journalists, critics, historians, curators, and museums.

MSA Select 2024 Juror: Courtney Adair Johnson

Meet the Juror

Black Bodies Making Form:

100 Years of Tennessee African American Artists

March 9 – March 23

The Todd Art Gallery hosts a collaboration of multiple African American Tennessee Artists co-curated by Karlota I. Contreras-Koterbay, gallery director and curator for East Tennessee State University’s Slocumb and Tipton Galleries, and ETSU Advancement director and Umoja board member Karen LeBlanc Sullivan. This traveling exhibition includes influential and contemporary craft artists from across the state including historical figures like William Edmondson, Bessie Harvey, Greg Ridley, Fritz Massaquoi, Sammie Nicely, and Governor’s art awardees Hattie Marshall-Duncan and Bill Capshaw in a stellar line up for an unprecedented project.

Exhibition Co-Curators: Karlota I. Contreras-Koterbay and Karen LeBlanc Sullivan

Meet Karlota

Meet Karen

More about the Exhibit

Studio Art B.F.A. Exhibit

March 28 – April 5

Annual Capstone Exhibit for majors with a concentration in Studio Art: Ceramics, Painting, Print Media, and Sculpture, nearing the completion of their academic studies

Openings: Campus, 2 p.m., Thursday, March 28, Community, 2 p.m., Saturday, March 30

Participants include Megann Baker, Jillian DeGrie, Jacee Kuykendall, Sarah Leuthen, Kayleigh Messler, Kathryn Welch, Greer Wilkins

Graphic Design B.F.A. Exhibit

April 20 – 27

Annual Capstone Exhibit for majors with a concentration in Graphic Design, nearing the completion of their academic studies

Opening: Community/Campus, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday, April 20

Coming May 2024

2^nd Tennessee Collegiate Art Competition (TCAC)

May 11 – June 3 — Main Gallery, Todd Hall, Room 224A

A juried exhibition of undergraduate and graduate artwork from university, college, and community college students

across Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky.

Reception – Saturday, May 11

11^th Winners’ Circle, a K-12 Exhibition

May 11 – 18 — Todd Building Hallways

An Art Teachers selected and Todd Art Gallery curated exhibition of student artwork by

Kindergarten through 12th grade students from across Middle Tennessee

Reception – Saturday, May 18

K-12 Art Teachers Exhibition

May 11 – June 3 — Glass Gallery, Todd Hall, Rooms 210 and 224

An invitational exhibition of artwork featuring selections from Elementary, Middle, and High School Art Teachers across Middle Tennessee

Reception – Saturday, May 18

Coming Summer 2024

Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts

June 8 – June 30, 2024

A residency summer intensive program for high school students gifted in music, visual art, theatre, dance, and filmmaking, Governor Lamar Alexander founded the School for the Arts in 1984, assembling a team of professionals to develop a program for Tennessee that would rival the best summer arts schools in the nation.

Rutherford Arts Alliance Juried Member Exhibition

June 28 – July 20

The 6th annual juried, all media exhibit of alliance member artists with an awards presentation from the MTSU Department of Art and Design and the Rutherford Arts Alliance (RAA) that endeavors to connect creatives and community, RAA is an independent, nonprofit advocacy group created to identify, unite and promote arts, culture, and heritage throughout Rutherford County, Tennessee.

Reception – Friday, June 28

Art of Perception

July 27 – August 17

A collaboration of MTSU Department of Art and Design and community artists and activists, Dr. Barbara and Mr. Leroy Hodges, who will curate a multi-cultural exhibition outreach of artists from all media and backgrounds.

Reception – Saturday, July 27

A Look Back…

Fall 2023

Jessica Hische: Covered

August 28 – September 16, 2023

Jessica Hische is a lettering artist and author who claims a tendency to overshare and exhibit a penchant for procrastiworking. A multiple New York Times Bestseller, she is also a renowned illustrator, graphic and type designer, and lettering artist with an active and influential voice in her field.

Hische is a mentor and an inspiration to many in the design community. Her commitment to design as an art form has garnered her work in such diverse fields as the film, music, and television industries.

Clients include Wes Anderson, Dave Eggers, The New York Times, Tiffany & Co., OXFAM America, McSweeney’s, American Express, Target, Victoria’s Secret, Chronicle Books, Nike, Samsung, and many international Fortune 500 companies.

Visit Jessica’s Website; See Jessica’s Artwork:

Jessica Hische