The Watkins College of Art invites the public to enjoy gallery exhibitions and related programming. A current list of Events & Exhibitions can be found here, and admission is always free.
Upcoming Events
Exhibition Schedule
Lines of Pressure | Alex Carmona
July 14 – August 09
Reception + Talk: July 15 from 4:30–6:30pm
Leu Gallery in the Lila D. Bunch Library
Lines of Pressure is a solo exhibition of hand-carved prints by Alex Carmona. His works are revered for their detail, craftsmanship, and scale. In his short career as an artist, he has gained tremendous notoriety by creating woodcuts and marketing material for some of the biggest names in the music and automotive industry.
Lines of Pressure is co-sponsored by the Tennessee Arts Academy and is made possible by generous gifts from the Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation.
Tennessee's Best of the Best Student Art Exhibition
July 08 – August 02
Reception: July 16 from 5–7pm
Gallery 121 in the Leu Center for the Visual Arts
Tennessee’s Best of the Best Student Art Exhibition is a collection of the best pieces in various media by student artists from the three grand divisions of the state. The students whose work will be featured have won college scholarships for their achievements and have had their work exhibited in museums throughout the state of Tennessee.
Connections: Tennessee Art Education Association Member Exhibition
July 08 – August 02
Reception: July 16 from 5–7pm
Leu Center for the Visual Arts Lobby
Connections: Tennessee Art Education Association Member Exhibition is a juried show featuring the work of kindergarten through higher education art educators from across Tennessee.
Upcoming Exhibitions
August 21 – December 06
Leu Gallery
Reception + Talk: Sep 05 from 4-6pm
Through the Eyes of Red Grooms is a comprehensive exhibition highlighting the artistic evolution and enduring influence of Nashville-born artist Red Grooms, renowned for his whimsical yet incisive portrayal of American culture. Grooms is celebrated for his spectacular pop-art constructions of urban scenes. This exhibition was curated by students in the Spring 2024 Museum Studies course offered by the Watkins College of Art and largely features artwork from the Tennessee State Museum's collection.
August 19 – October 04
LCVA Lobby
Reception +Talk: Sep 12 from 4:30-6pm
Stand Up and Vote! features a selection of political posters curated from former politician Ronnie Steine's private collection. These compelling designs are meticulously crafted by artists, political parties, community organizations, candidates, and even musicians, all united in their call to inspire citizens to register to vote and actively participate in the democratic process. Each poster uniquely amplifies the importance of civic engagement, highlighting the power of every individual to make a meaningful impact through their vote.
August 19 – September 27
Gallery 121
Reception + Talk: Sep 26 from 4:30–6pm
Choice Words is a group exhibition that explores the power of visual language. Language has taken on many forms beyond the spoken word. From the cave wall drawings of our ancestors to the smiling characters on our phone screens, humans have always moved past the spoken word to express meaning. The written word has the power to exist beyond our senses, and we can build a deeper meaning when we can return to it. If spoken language is irretrievable, then visual language is accessible… even immortal. What would you have to say if it were to last forever?
This exhibit is hosted in connection with the 2024 Belmont University Humanities Symposium and is co-curated by Watkins College of Art faculty and staff (Dale Addy, Dan Brawner, and Lane Carnell).
October 07 – November 08
Gallery 121
Reception + Talk: Oct 10 from 4:30–6pm
The Unity Flag Project was initiated in 2019 by Assistant Professor of Art Education Dr. Meaghan Brady Nelson and invited creatives from across the United States to make Unity Flags. Participants, who represent more than 30 states, created 3' x 5' flags to demonstrate “purple empathy,” a concept indicative of the optical blending of blue and red coming together to engage in bipartisan civil discourse. This exhibition reminds us all to pause, listen and learn from one another with resepect.
The Watkins College of Art invites the community to enjoy exhibitions and related programming. All galleries are free and open to the public. Sign up to receive the monthly WCA Gallery Newsletter and stay up to date on the latest open programming. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Do you have questions about our galleries? Please reach out via email to Katie Mitchell, Director of Galleries & Programming.
Galleries
The Watkins College of Art operates four art galleries in Nashville that promote the exhibition of current student, faculty, alumni, and contemporary artists.