Category: Arts

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

The School of Art, Craft and Design at Tennessee Tech University presents the 26th Annual Bacchanal on Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 1 to 5pm at Spankies Restaurant.

Bacchanal is a celebration of art, wine and food, and features a live auction of art and fine craft. Guests can bid on a variety of works created by local and national artists, Tennessee Tech alumni, faculty, students, and artists in residence. All proceeds from the event support scholarships for students in the School of Art, Craft & Design degree programs. To date, Bacchanal has supported students with more than $150,000 in scholarships.

Attendees will enjoy an elegant buffet of sumptuous eats prepared by Spankies Restaurant and refreshments of fine wine and craft beer donated by Empire Distributors of Tennessee and Budweiser of Cookeville. Live music will be performed by students from Tennessee Tech’s School of Music. Reservations are available for $60 in advance or may be purchased at the door for $70 while seats remain. The live auction begins at 2pm. Click here to get your tickets

Contact kwinkle@tntech.edu with any questions
 

Join the Bryan Symphony Orchestra at Tennessee Tech for its annual free Concert for the Community on September 3, 2023 at 7:00 PM at the Dogwood Park Performance Pavilion. Bring your chairs, blankets, and picnics for an evening of fun for the entire family! The concession stand will be open during the concert as well.

This concert will feature patriotic and classical favorites, along with some pop favorites and even highlights of the orchestra’s 60th Anniversary season, “Discover Your Symphony.”

This concert is made possible by the generous endowment of Dr. Sam and Mrs. Diane Glasgow in memory of their parents.

Pre-concert activities for young audience members will begin in front of the stage at 6:00 PM.

The Bryan Symphony Orchestra features Faculty and Student performers from the School of Music, performing alongside area professionals.  The Orchestra is supported by a collaboration between the Bryan Symphony Orchestra Association and Tennessee Tech University. For questions, contact dallcott@tntech.edu

New exhibition open at the Appalachian Center for Craft, featuring the glass works from artist, Chuchen Song. The exhibition is titled “Folded Stories: Exploring Chinese Symbolism & Women’s Narratives Through Glass” and will be on display in the Lakeview Gallery at the ACC now until September 26, 2023.

Gallery Hours: 10am – 5pm Mon. through Sat., & 12-5pm Sun.

The Appalachian Center for Craft is located at 1560 Craft Center Dr., Smithville, TN 37166

Follow us on Facebook: Appalachian Center for Craft and on Instagram: @tntechcraftcenter

For more information please email: craftcentergallery@tntech.edu