Category: Arts

The Chinkapin Craftstead will present “I Am My Own Wife”, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Doug Wright March 7-9 at the Backdoor Playhouse.  It tells the true story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorff, a trans woman who lived through and survived both the Nazi and the Communist regimes in Germany. The production will feature eight actors playing 34 characters. It explores with humor and tenderness the nature of resilience, personal truths and the stories we tell about ourselves. Admission is free. For more information, contact Anne Thurmond at athurmond@tntech.edu.

Please join us for Trumpet Day on Saturday, March 23rd from 10am – 5pm. This year’s featured guest artist is the world famous trumpeter, Caleb Hudson, who toured with the Canadian Brass and is currently the trumpet professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Registration is free for all TnTech students, faculty, and staff. Registration is $15 for non-TTU folks, and that includes access to all events, lunch, and a swag bag. The masterclass and recital with Caleb Hudson is free and open to the public. Registration and the full schedule of the day’s events, can be found at: www.tntech.edu/trumpetday.

Hot off the forges! Sign up for one of our blacksmithing workshops this summer and learn the fundamentals while forging your own knives, utensils, hooks or tools. Already have some experience in the smithy? Take it to the next level with Intermediate Bladesmithing! Reminder that Tennessee Tech employees and students, as well as Dekalb County residents, receive 25% off workshop tuition. We also have a wide range of other mediums such as glassblowing, woodworking, fibers, clay, metalworking and brand new topics to our program, so be sure to check them out! Click here for all the details.

Please join us for the closing reception and Artist talk this Thursday, Feb. 8th at 5 pm in the Joan Derryberry Art Gallery. Artist Lisa Crane will be present to discuss her work titled, “Trophies.”  Crane’s work strives to depict the female experience.  She states,  “I am interested in the ways women push back, and use their metaphorical elbows to make room for themselves.”

The Joan Derryberry Art Gallery is located in the main lobby of the Roaden University Center.  The event starts at 5 pm and there will be light refreshments.  To find out more about the artist you can visit her website at www.lisacrane.net.

Please contact  Meredith Lewis with any questions, mlewis@tntech.edu.

Join Tennessee Tech’s College of Fine Arts at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 2 at the Saltbox Inn in Cookeville for an enchanted evening of “Fairytales, Fiction & Fables” at the 2nd annual Arty Gras celebration!

Enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing along with music from local performer Lily Bethke and presentations of art, music and theater by our College of Fine Arts students. Tickets are limited and sales close on Feb. 15.

Get your tickets at https://www.tntech.edu/fine-arts/ or by calling 931-372-3016. This is an ages 21+ event.

“Waking Up”:  Abby Ramaker Senior Thesis Exhibition

Senior Thesis Exhibition for Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting

Join Abby Ramaker, at the opening of her senior thesis exhibition of oil painting. The exhibition is Dec. 1 – 8, 2023, in the Bryan Fine Arts Building at Tennessee Tech University.  Artist reception on Dec. 7, from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Abby’s body of work explores the transformations we go through as people and the light we discover within and around us during those times of change. To her, painting is a language that can translate emotions that cannot be expressed any other way. This exhibition speaks to the resiliency of the spirit within oneself to guide them through dark times. “It’s about hope, rebirth, and ultimately healing.”

The event is wheelchair accessible, and snacks will be served. For any further interest you can check out her Instagram @ramakerabby.

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

“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.