VISUALIZE

A WINNERS’ CIRCLE INVITATIONAL

K – 12 EXHIBITION

From Tennessee Voices to America’s Future

---

Statewide Invitation

Visualize is a statewide K–12 exhibition initiative presented by the MTSU Department of Art and Design and Todd Art Gallery, celebrating creativity, communication, and contemporary expression through visual art, design, literary arts, digital media, fine craft, and interdisciplinary practice.

This special invitational exhibition serves as both a reflection on America’s first 250 years and a culminating artistic statement marking the close of 2026. Through posters, visual art, fine craft, mixed media, and contemporary creative expression, participating students and educators are invited to explore the people, places, struggles, triumphs, contradictions, and possibilities that continue to shape the American experience.

While Visualize reflects upon America’s past, participating artists are also encouraged to thoughtfully examine where we stand at the conclusion of 2026 and to imagine, question, and envision the next 250 years of America’s evolving story.

At the same time, the submitted artwork is not required to directly address America 250 themes. Works may instead reflect current classroom exploration, contemporary artistic practice, personal expression, or educational efforts connected to the artist’s community and lived experience today.

Visualize also marks the return of the Winners’ Circle and will serve as an annual December–January exhibition dedicated to showcasing outstanding student and educator artwork from across Tennessee while celebrating the creativity, expression, and emerging voices that will help shape the years ahead.

And, EXEMPLARY: An Educator Exhibition, serves as a featured component of Visualize, highlighting the creative practices, professional artwork, and artistic voices of Tennessee educators whose teaching, mentorship, and continued studio engagement help inspire and shape the next generation of visual artists in Tennessee and across America.

Interest Form

Coming Mid-Summer 2026

• Official Submission Portal
• Participation Guidelines
• AMERICA 250 – TENNESSEE Poster Division Details
• EXEMPLARY Educator Exhibition
• Awards and Recognition
• AFTERWORDS Programming Details

An expanded awards reception will be held in both December and May, highlighting scholarship opportunities, recognition, collegiate pathways, and other opportunities available to participating students and educators.

VISUALIZE Exhibition Dates

December 12, 2026 – January 7, 2027

---

And coming May 2027

AFTERWORDS & the Tennessee Collegiate Arts Competition (TCAC)

A Spoken Word + Visual Arts Initiative

AFTERWORDS continues as a companion interdisciplinary initiative focused on spoken word, poetry, creative writing, performance, visual storytelling, and reflective artistic practice. While Visualize reflects upon America’s first 250 years and the closing of 2026, Afterwords shifts the lens forward, inviting artists, writers, performers, and creators to imagine the next 250 years.

Presented as a stand-alone spring 2027 event in conjunction with the Tennessee Collegiate Arts Competition, Afterwords will feature spoken word performances, readings, interdisciplinary presentations, and accompanying visual works presented within a dedicated section of TCAC.

Eligible participants will include high school students, higher education students, recent graduates, and emerging creatives from across Tennessee and the surrounding region, as outlined through TCAC participation guidelines.

TCAC and AFTERWORDS Exhibition Dates

May 11 – June 1, 2027

TCAC Awards Reception, Saturday, May 15

AFERWORDS – A Night at the Gallery Event, Saturday, May 22

Additional details regarding participation, performance submissions, accompanying visual works, and interdisciplinary collaborations will be announced at a later date.