Aesthetics Newsletter- Feb2026

  • MTSU Department of Art and Design

    Current Exhibitions, Programs, and Opportunities

  • In This Issue:

    1. In the Gallery
    2. 210, Glass, and Murfree Gallery
    3. Workshops & Hands-On Programs
    4. Visiting Artists & Lectures
    5. Student Opportunities
    6. What's Happening in Our Community
    7. Stay Connected with MTSU Art and Design
    8. Todd Bulletin Board

  • 1. in the GALLERY

  • Yokai Parade: Supernatural Monsters from Japan
    January 20-February 24, 2026

    Todd Hall, Room 224A

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  • The exhibition introduces audiences to the evolving world of yokai, the legendary spirits, monsters, and mysterious beings of Japan, through historic picture scrolls, Nishiki-e woodblock prints, books, toys, paper games, and materials from modern popular culture.

  • 2. 210 Gallery, Glass Gallery, and Murfree Gallery
    MTSU Art and Design's campus and satellite exhibition spaces for invited artists, students, and the public

  • Tennessee Craft Foundations Show
    January 31-February 11, 2026
    Todd Hall, Room 210 | MTSU

    Showcase
    February 12-February 21, 2026
    Todd Hall, Clay Commons | MTSU
    Adjacent to Todd Art Gallery Main Entrance 224A

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  • Tennessee Craft Foundations Show features work by current students and alumni of Middle Tennessee State University’s Department of Art & Design. The exhibition highlights technical skill, experimentation, and the traditions that shape contemporary craft, showcasing a range of materials and processes that reflect both personal exploration and craft education.

    Reception
    Saturday, February 21
    5:00-7:00 p.m.

    Todd Hall, Clay Commons | MTSU

  • Package Design Exhibition
    February 14-February 25, 2026

    Todd Hall, Room 224- Glass Gallery | MTSU

  • Print Media Exhibition
    February 28-March 14, 2026

    Todd Hall, Room 210 | MTSU

  • Quilting Bees Sampler Show
    February 28-March 14, 2026

    Todd Hall, Room 224- Glass Gallery | MTSU

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  • Todd Art Gallery will present a Glass Gallery Sampler Show featuring quilt-based fine craft artworks by the Quilting Bees of Murfreesboro. This focused exhibition highlights a range of techniques, materials, and approaches to quilting, offering viewers an up-close look at how fiber traditions translate into gallery settings.

  • 3. Workshops & Hands-On Programs

  • Saturdays At Todd: Five-Color Fabric Weaving Workshop
    Saturday, February 14, 2026
    1:00-3:00 p.m.

    Todd Hall, Room 236 | MTSU

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  • Join us for a hands-on Five-Color Fabric Weaving Workshop with Rebecca Anthony of the Quilting Bees of Murfreesboro. Explore fabric weaving as a creative textile process, blending color, pattern, texture, and storytelling through interlaced fabric strips and fibers. Great for beginners and experienced fiber artists alike.

    Registration is required.
    • Limited to 20 participants, ages 14 and above
    • Registration closes Tuesday, February 10 (or earlier if capacity is reached)

    👉 Register here: Five-Color Fabric Weaving Workshop  

  • 4. Visiting Artists & Lectures

  • Guest Artist: Bob Rissetto
    Tuesday, February 10, 2026
    3:45-5:45 p.m.

    Todd Hall, Room 337 | MTSU

    Hosted by Tony Rodriguez, Associate Professor of Graphic Design and Illustration
    Questions: Tony.Rodriguez@mtsu.edu

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  • Interested in a career in animation or illustration?

    Veteran 2D artist, illustrator, and animator Bob Rissetto is joining us this semester to share his creative journey and professional process. Bob has built a career in both industries and is especially known for his clear, engaging process PDFs, some of the most helpful and easy-to-understand resources for students and emerging artists. Come learn about his workflow, experiences, and advice for breaking into the field!

  • Guest Artist: Elise Hatheway
    Monday, February 23, 2026
    12:00-2:00 p.m.

    Todd Hall, Room 348 | MTSU

    Hosted by Tony Rodriguez, Associate Professor of Graphic Design and Illustration
    Questions: Tony.Rodriguez@mtsu.edu

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  • Elise Hatheway is a Dallas-based Visual Development Artist with over 15 years of experience in illustration and animation, specializing in environmental design, digital painting, and color scripting. Her recent work includes Paramount Animation’s The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants (2025), along with projects like Thelma the Unicorn, Maya and the Three, and The Lego Movie 2.

    Interested in concept art and visual development for TV and film? Join Elise Hatheway and Associate Professor Rodriguez for a presentation and Q&A.

  • 5. Student Opportunities

  • Arrowmont Windgate Fellowship Competition
    Deadline: Saturday, February 14, 2026

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  • Exciting full scholarship opportunities are now open for week-long workshops at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN!

    Each fellowship covers workshop fees, accommodations, meals, and includes a $300 stipend.

    Apply to ARROWMONT WINDGATE FELLOWSHIP

     Questions? Email erin.anfinson@mtsu.edu

  • Find other ART and DESIGN SCHOLARSHIP Deadlines HERE

  • Counselor Positions at Governor's School for the Arts

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  • LEARN MORE HERE

    Or reach out to Visual Arts Chair, Michael Baggarly, at gsftavisualarts@gmail.com for questions or more information.

  • 6. What's Happening in Our Community

  • Disconnect to Reconnect
    February 21, 2026
    9:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m.

    Todd Hall | MTSU

    We’re excited to share a creative learning experience at MTSU in partnership with Murfreesboro City Schools! Students in grades 3-6 will take part in hands-on art activities, including drawing a live animal and creating their own puppet. While students explore, parents will tour the Yokai Parade exhibition in the gallery and enjoy a unique painting experience of their own.

  • Admitted Students Day
    February 28, 2026
    9:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

    This event offers newly admitted and prospective students and their families a chance to learn about academic departments, campus resources, and areas of study.

  • 7. Stay Connected with the MTSU Department of Art and Design

  • Select the options below if you would like to receive updates about exhibitions, events, artist visits, workshops, and other Art and Design activities via email or text.

    You may unsubscribe at any time. We do not share your email or text contact information.

  • 8. Todd Bulletin Board

    Last-minute calls, events, artist visits, fundraisers, and pop-ups are added throughout the week.

  • 👉 Visit the Todd Bulletin Board

  • Contribute

  • We’re always interested in hearing what’s happening in Art and Design, whether across campus or in the community. Aesthetics welcomes short, informal contributions from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners. Submissions may be image-driven and do not need to be fully polished; editorial support is provided.

    To share ideas, images, or short drafts for a future issue, contact ToddArtGallery@mtsu.edu.

  • Newsletter Compilation by Leraas Lane
    Edited by Eric Snyder
    MTSU Department of Art & Design | Todd Art Gallery (TAG)

  • Questions about directions, parking, or other items related to this Art and Design | Todd Art Gallery exhibitions, receptions, and events: email ToddArtGallery@mtsu.edu or call 615-898-5532

    Gallery Hours

    Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
    Saturday: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
    Closed Sunday

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