Category: Arts

“Once”:  Laura Lester Senior Thesis Exhibition

Senior Thesis Exhibition for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Clay

Laura Lester’s installation, “Once” will be represented in a variety of mediums, including ceramics, weaving, and woodwork. The project depicts a life-size display of a childhood bedroom merged with dream imagery rendered in both realistic and surrealistic forms resulting in a thought-provoking experience.

Drawing inspiration from her personal life, travels, dreams, and love of folklore. Laura’s installation “Once” aims to investigate and interpret her inner landscape through visual and tactile symbolism.

The exhibit will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., from Nov. 22 – Dec. 5, 2023, in the Lake View Gallery at the Appalachian Center for Craft.  Exhibition reception will take place on Dec. 2, 2023, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Contact the School of Art, Craft & Design for more information:  931-372-3738 or the gallery at 931-372-3051.

“Predatory Instincts”:  Gordon Clark Senior Thesis Exhibition

Senior Thesis Exhibition for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Metals

This senior thesis exhibition will be open Nov. 22 and run thru Dec. 5, at the Appalachian Center for Craft. The exhibition will include knives made by Gordon Clark, a senior in the program.

Gordon Clark, along with the help of the School of Art Craft and Design, will be holding a senior thesis exhibition, showcasing hand-made knives, that employ the use of Gordon’s culmination of knowledge from over 4 years in the metals program at Tennessee Tech University. On Dec. 2, there will be a reception, from noon to 3 p.m. Gordon’s exhibition is located at 1560 Craft Center Dr. Smithville, TN, in the Hilltop Gallery.

Gordon Clark is an independent metals artist who enjoys the creation of knives and other well made, quality items through various means, such as forging and welding.

Contact the School of Art, Craft & Design for more information:  931-372-3738.

Emmanuel Agbeli is a renowned Master Drummer from Ghana, West Africa, where he is the director of the Dagbe Cultural Institute and Arts Centre. Born into a family of prominent musicians in Ghana’s Volta region, he is known as one of the foremost representatives of Ewe drumming, dancing, and cultural history. He joins Tennessee Tech’s West African Drumming Ensemble for a performance of traditional Ghanaian music and dance.

The performance is at 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18, in Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building, at Tennessee Tech University

Event link:  https://www.facebook.com/events/346422294462114
For questions, contact ckoester@tntech.edu

Back Where I Come From:  Marymac Webb Senior Thesis Exhibition

Senior Thesis Exhibition for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting

Join Marymac Webb, at the opening of her thesis exhibition honoring her home state. The reception will take place on Nov. 20, 2023 at 6 p.m. in the Bryan Fine Arts Building at Tennessee Tech University.

Marymac’s collection embodies the state where she grew up. Her paintings of culture, history and landmarks span from East to West Tennessee. The show delves into what it means to be a Tennessean from the perspective of someone who never felt like a true southerner. ‘I hope the hidden maps in my paintings will lead you on a journey of recollection to a few of our rich Tennessee treasures.’

The event is wheelchair accessible and hors d’oeurvres will be served. She encourages supporters to visit Instagram, @m.macstudio, for updates and further insight into her collections and background.

Contact the School of Art, Craft & Design for more information:  931-372-3738.

The Bryan Symphony Orchestra will perform in memory of former Tech president, Angelo Volpe, Sunday November 12, at 3pm. Volpe was a board member, volunteer and, with his wife Dr. Jennette Volpe, a frequent sponsor of BSO concerts. Works by living American composers Joan Tower and Jennifer Higdon will be performed and soprano Shana Blake Hill will sing excerpts from two Verdi operas. Remarking on this, her 4th performance with the orchestra, Hill says, “It is an honor to sing on this concert in memory of such a great supporter of this fine orchestra. Each time I return to Cookeville I am reminded of the unique community spirit of the town, and the artistry and professionalism of the musicians you are privileged to have among you.”

Concert support comes from Nelson, Nancy, Sally & Gray Forrester, Dr. Tom & Mrs. Tricia Lawrence, Bob & Gail Luna, and Dr. Mary Pashley & Mr. EJ Mackie. For tickets and info contact the office at (931) 525-2633 or at contact@bryansymphony.org.

Artist, Jess Tolbert, will be giving a lecture this Thursday, Nov. 9th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in the Joan Derryberry Art Gallery. The JDAG is located on the first floor of the RUC, next to the spiral staircase. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available as well.

Earlier in the day, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., Tolbert will be giving a micro welding demonstration at the Craft Center in the metals studio.

Jess Tolbert is a contemporary studio jeweler, visual artist, and Assistant Professor of Art and Head of the Jewelry + Metals program at the University of Texas at El Paso. They received their MFA from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and her BFA from Texas State University, San Marcos, with a focus in jewelry and metalsmithing. They have participated in multiple artist residencies. Jess has been selected for numerous prestigious awards including the Preziosa Young 2020 award based in Florence, Italy, and as a Finalist for the Loewe Craft Prize 2020. They are a co-founder of the curatorial group Secret Identity Projects. Jess’ work is represented by Gallery Loupe (Montclair, NJ) and Gallery 2052 (Chicago, IL).

For more information: JDAG@tntech.edu

People of all ages are invited to the Appalachian Center for Craft’s Annual Holiday Festival November 18-19, 2023 at their campus in Smithville. The event will feature a 25% discount in the retail gallery and free kid’s crafts all weekend. In addition, guests on Saturday can enjoy face-painting, lunch by Logan’s Snack Shack, a student art sale and workshops. Workshops include making your own glass ornament, pyrography and dyed silk scarves. Holiday Festival workshops are ticketed and advanced registration online or by phone is encouraged. Learn more and register for workshops at tntech.edu/craftcenter/holiday or call 931-372-3052.

Join us in the Joan Derryberry Art Gallery (JDAG) this Thurs., Oct. 19th at 5:00 p.m. for Matthew Cappezzuto’s artist talk during the closing reception for his solo exhibition. The JDAG is located on the 1st floor of the RUC, next to the spiral staircase. Refreshments will be available and all are welcome!

Matthew Capezzuto is a painter and educator who concentrates on painting’s historical role of depicting unreal or surreal materiality. He looks to the distant past (such as medieval European and Byzantine religious paintings) as well as material futurisms and science fictions (such as nanotechnology and extraterrestrial materials).

For more information: JDAG@tntech.edu

Bacchanal is coming up on Sunday, October 22! Hosted by Tennessee Tech’s School of Art, Craft and Design, Bacchanal is an event for the public to gather and show support for students in School of Art, Craft and Design degree programs. Thanks to Bacchanal supporters, the School of Art, Craft and Design is able to award multiple scholarships to students each year. To date, Bacchanal has supported students with more than $150,000 in scholarships.

Bacchanal attendees can participate in a live auction of art and fine craft, created by local and national artists, Tennessee Tech alumni, faculty, students and artists in residence. Guests also enjoy fine wine, craft beer and a buffet of delicious dishes prepared by Spankies Restaurant. Live music will be performed by students from Tennessee Tech’s school of music. The event takes place at Spankies Restaurant on Sunday, October 22 from 1-5pm. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $60 or at the door for $70. Click here for more information.

Join us in the Joan Derryberry Art Gallery this Thursday for artist, Deborah Kruger’s closing reception and artist talk. She will be speaking about the current body of work on display, titled Aviato, as well as her art practice which includes managing two art studios, one in Mexico and one in North Carolina. This event is free and open to the public, some come and enjoy the refreshments and artsy fellowship!!!

This event will be Thursday, Sept. 14th at 5:00 p.m. in the Joan Derryberry Art Gallery, located in the lobby of the RUC, room 124.

For more information, email JDAG@tntech.edu