Saturdays at Todd is a faculty led initiative designed to expand our community engagement in and around Murfreesboro. The events are free and open to the public with all materials provided as tools to build greater advocacy for the arts in middle Tennessee!  Students and faculty, and community artists participate and lead demonstrations. They answer questions and offer insight into context, technique, and concept. We host exhibit openings in our main gallery that are also scheduled on Saturdays to encourage community and alumni attendance while providing greater access to our facilities and programs! All activities include all ages in interactive workshops, lectures, and exhibits. Through open discussion about artwork and the role of the artist in communities, we can demonstrate the importance of arts education while fostering a culture of support for the Arts in Tennessee. TBA information will be updated as events are finalized throughout the semester.

Want to see our past Saturday's at Todd events? Check out what we have offered before to gain an idea of what we host at the Department of Art and Design! If you have a suggestion or a workshop idea or would even like to host a workshop yourself, email eric.snyder@mtsu.edu with your proposal!

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Thanks to the Tennessee Arts Commission for funding in support of our Saturdays at Todd Workshops!

 

 

Your Specialty License Plate Purchase Supports the Mission of the Tennessee Arts Commission

They also make a great gift!

Guided Tour + Q&A of "Neither East Nor West", a Contemporary Chinese Art Exhibit

Saturday, September 7th, 2019 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Todd Main Gallery, 224A
Guided Tour + Q&A led by Professor Qian Li.
China has undergone a huge industrial and cultural shift in the past 100 years. In the midst of the era of globalization, individuals from different backgrounds and cultures share their experiences, lives, food, art, and music. What was known as "East" and "West" has blurred. Exchanging cultural practices, concepts, and ways of living is common. Come view the blurring of these cultural lines manifest in the works of these award-winning Chinese contemporary artists. The exhibit reception will feature cello performances by Dr. Christine Kim, and pipa performances by new visiting scholar Jun Tian. Join us for midday snacks while we bask in the artistry of Chinese artists and musicians!

Watercolor Basics: "Capturing the Moment"

Saturday, September 14th, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Todd Hall, Room 236
Watercolor painting workshop, led by Sisavanh Houghton.
In this workshop, Sisavanh Houghton will demonstrate basic watercolor techniques, discuss elemental and principals of design and the benefits of using a photographic reference as inspiration. Participants should bring in some photographs to work from, watercolor paper, brushes, and a simple watercolor set.  This class is to inspire and guide participants in their own style of working such as: abstraction, realism, minimalism, and cubism.  Practical advice for traveling with paints and working in Alla-Prima will be discussed as well. Open to the public. Participants limited to 20.

Color Exploration with Tie Dye

Saturday, September 21st, 2019 | 12:30 PM & 1:30 | Todd Hall, Room 236
Workshop led by Kim Dummons and Nicole Foran.
In this double workshop, participants will explore color theory through the application of different colors of dye onto fabric. The department of Art and Design is offering two (2) separate 45-minute sessions of this workshop. The first session will begin at 12:30 PM and the second session will begin at 1:30 PM. One free white cotton t-shirt will be provided per participant; however, if participants want to tie dye multiple shirts or have a specific sizes in mind, they should bring their own 100% Cotton T-Shirt. Included T-Shirt sizes range from S, M, L, XL, and a limited supply of 2XL. All other supplies included. Participants should wear appropriate clothing or other clothing protection, such as an apron, as dye may splatter onto clothing. The first session is limited to 12 participants; the second session is limited to 20 participants. RSVP required for attendance.

"Story Me This: Narrative Quilting", a Collaborative Multimedia Storytelling Experience with Susan Sharpe

Friday, September 27th, 2019 | Begins at 5:30 PM | Todd Hall, Todd Art Gallery, Room 224A
In conjunction with an exhibition of narrative quilting from September 21 to October 12, we will be offering a lecture on the art of storytelling conducted by nationally known quilt-artist and art educator Susan Sharpe. The lecture will focus on her different experiences & materials to how her work has evolved into a narrative style that exploits a wide range of fiber & fabric processes. The lecture aims to engage participants specifically in developing narrative content for their own visual and verbal works. A discussion of the Space Colonization and Exploration of Mars and a Star Viewing Party at the MTSU Planetarium (weather permitting) with Dr. Higgins, a MTSU Department of Physics and Astronomy professor, will follow.

Saturday, September 28th, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Todd Hall, Room 236
Workshop led by visiting artist Susan Sharpe.
This four to six hour (4-6 hr.) workshop will be an exercise in unleashing the imagination through a narrative that the participants will work together to produce a mixed media mural for display in the main hallway of the Todd building. Participants will be introduced to a variety of techniques and media, including the making of their own relief blocks, acrylic painting, and textile appliqué. Open to the public, public and private art teachers, as well as MTSU students, faculty, staff, and their children. All materials will be supplied. Registered participants will receive lunch. Professional Development points are available for teachers to earn by attending; certificate will be prepared and handed out for those teachers that note it on signup. RSVP required for attendance.

Events cosponsored by MTSU's Department of English, MTSU's Deoartment of Physics and Astronomy, the Distinguished Lecture Committee, and MT Engage. Other funding by the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Experimental Sand-Casting: Creating Cast Aluminum Sculpture

Saturday, October 5th, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Todd Hall, Room 107
Workshop led by Michael Baggarly, sculpture professor at MTSU Dept. of Art and Design with assistance from Stephen Levenhagen.
Come out and have a great time experiencing metal casting as an investigative platform for making art. Attendees will be exploring Experimental Petro-Bond Sand Casting incorporating found and altered materials to create low-relief assemblages that will be utilized to create cast aluminum forms. Each person will have the opportunity to watch the finished molds cast and to participate in the finishing of their own aluminum sculpture to take home at the end of the workshop. No prior casting experience is required, and the event is a safe, open, and free experience for all ages. Space is limited to twelve spots. RSVP is required for attendance.

Animal Sculpting with Visiting Artist Kay Currie

Saturday, October 19th, 2019 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Todd Hall, Room 113
Workshop led by visiting artist Kay Currie.
In this workshop, visiting artist Kay Currie will be demonstrating how to sculpt an animal by carving a three dimensional form from a solid block of clay. Once carved, it will be cut into pieces and hollowed out and put back together and any additional pieces to the sculpture will be added. Participants should think of a domestic animal that they wish to sculpt and bring reference photos as needed. Participants should wear clothing they don't mind getting dirty or bring clothing protection such as an apron. No food or drinks allowed inside the clay room. All tools and supplies will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own clay tools if they wish. This workshop is open to the public, ages 12 and older. Limited to 8 participants.

**2nd Section Added for Animal Sculpting with Kay Currie!**

Saturday, October 19th, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Todd Hall, Room 113New Workshop Available

Exploring Encaustics with Pam Barrett Hackett

Saturday, October 26th, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Todd, 232
Led by visiting artist Pam Barrett Hackett.
This workshop will serve as an introduction to encaustic painting, including studio setup, safety, and process. It will consist of demonstrations and instruction in various techniques for image making, including; brush application and fusing, translucent glazing, incising, scraping, and accretion (texture building.) This workshop is appropriate for beginners, as well as artists who want to experiment with new techniques. All materials and supplies will be provided. Workshop suitable for beginners through intermediate level. Space is limited to 10 participants. Must RSVP tp attend.

Department of Art and Design Open House

Saturday, November 2nd, 2019 | 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM | Todd Hall, all floor levels
You don’t want to miss the Art & Design Open House!! Join us for various activities and demos. You can also find out more about becoming an Art & Design major at MTSU! This event is free and open to the public and all ages.

Spoken Word Performance

Saturday, November 9th, 2019 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Todd Main Gallery, 224A
The Middle Tennessee State University Todd Art Gallery is hosting a Spoken Word Performance event featuring students, emerging, and mid-career artists whose art practice is concerned with performance, text, and spoken word that relates indirectly or directly to communication, text, literacy, social constructs, socio-economic systems, and power relationships. 

Audience Sign Up Here!

Learn How to Marble Paper!

Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Todd, Room 352
Workshop led by Dr. Laura Cochrane.
Join us for a paper marbeling experience! Participants will learn how to prepare and mix paper marbling materials, create unique designs with ink, and pull prints. Event is free and open to the public; all supplies will be provided. Participants are limited to 8. Participants must be aged 16 years or older. RSVP is required for attendance.

Sign Up Here!

Drawing the Generic Face, an Illustration Workshop

Saturday, December 7th, 2019 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Todd, Room 337
Workshop led by Tony Rodriguez.
Have you ever wanted to learn how to draw portraits? Join us for a workshop on drawing the generic face! Participants will learn tips and tricks on how to draw the face using correct proportions. Participants may bring their own sketchbooks, pencils, and eraser if desired; all supplies will be provided for those that do not. This workshop is free and open to the public. Participants are limited to 15. RSVP is required for attendance.

 Sign Up Here!