High-quality art work by Tusculum University students and alumni is being displayed on campus and in the community, demonstrating the strength of the higher education institution’s art and design program.
Nine students who will graduate from Tusculum’s art and design program are holding their senior capstone exhibitions for the rest of the fall semester. Opening receptions for the exhibitions will continue through Dec. 7, with all of them taking place on Thursdays from 5-7 p.m.
The community is invited to the Clem Allison Art Gallery, which is located on the main floor of Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center, to see the 16 pieces of art work from each student. All receptions are free. Those who cannot attend the receptions are welcome to visit the gallery from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday between the exhibitions to view the work.
“Our guests will see fabulous works of art in multiple media that showcase the considerable talent of our nine seniors,” said Lanna Monday, associate professor of art and design. “These students have grown as artists during their Tusculum studies and have promising futures in the field. They have added another dimension to the strength of our rigorous art and design program and will represent Tusculum exceptionally well in their careers.”
Here is the schedule:
- 12 – Gwen Gustafson
- 19 – Nicole Bailey
- 2 – Raigun Duncan
- 9 – Matilyn Vincent
- 16 – Patience Salisbury
- 30 – Tristan Wepking
- 7 – Diamond Nored and Mark Stewart
Eight of the 16 pieces are classified as a directive and have a cohesive theme in design quality and size. These items can be, but are not required to be, within the same medium. The remaining items will demonstrate each student’s knowledge of all other areas of studio art and visual communications.
The students incorporate the following media in their exhibitions
- Drawing
- Graphic design
- Digital illustration
- Painting
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
In addition to these exhibitions, the art work of about 20 Tusculum alumni and current students and a high school student was placed on display Monday, Oct. 2, in the lobby of the General Morgan Inn in downtown Greeneville. The alumni’s work came from their days as Tusculum students. The high school student participated in the Upward Bound program sponsored by Tusculum and its studio art program.
One of the commissioners is Dr. Nancy Dishner, president and CEO of the Niswonger Foundation, and she contacted Matilda Green, director of exhibitions for the Greeneville Arts Council, about having art for the lobby and the gallery at the hotel that the council manages.
The council had lined up work for the gallery, and Matilda Green, a university employee, contacted Rouja Green, director of Tusculum’s Center for the Arts, for assistance with the lobby. Rouja Green was happy to help because she teaches a Service Learning in the Arts class at Tusculum and was looking for opportunities to assist the community.
Rouja Green worked with Bill Bledsoe, assistant professor of art and design, and the students in her class to secure the pieces for the lobby. Bledsoe said the collection consists of paintings, prints, digital media art and sculptures.
“Service Learning in the Arts combines community service with educational goals in the field of the arts,” Rouja Green said. “It typically involves students applying their artistic skills to address community needs. This can include creating art projects for public spaces or collaborating on community-based art initiatives. It’s a way to engage with the community while gaining practical experience and fostering a sense of civic responsibility through artistic expression.”
Bledsoe was thrilled to see the alumni and current students included in the lobby display.
“Having these works visible to the Tennessee Arts Commission is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the caliber of the work produced by Tusculum students,” Bledsoe said. “It also represents an important element of a Tusculum education – civic engagement and students’ connection to their communities. We are delighted to present these works for the Tennessee Arts Commission to enjoy and to celebrate the value of a Tusculum education in such a meaningful way.”
