Tusculum University’s Center for the Arts celebrates local artists with open call to submit work, display of chosen pieces
GREENEVILLE – Strengthening its connections with the local art community, Tusculum University recently spotlighted the work of Greene County residents with a show in Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center.
The Center for the Arts held an open call for local artists to submit their work and then hosted a reception Wednesday, Dec. 4, on the main floor of Annie Hogan Byrd. These community members, who had produced a wide range of media, attended to celebrate and show off their pieces as they mingled with other art enthusiasts and professionals.
“The idea came from our desire to grow our relationships with local artists in Greene County,” said Benjamin Conley, assistant professor of art and design at the university. “We wanted to give them the opportunity to showcase their work in a public place. That connection with the artists has now been made and will be able to expand as we move forward in further developing our art program.”
Tusculum University creative writing program students earn 1st and 3rd place in statewide poetry contest
GREENEVILLE – Two Tusculum University students recently earned honors, including first place, in the inaugural Tennessee Collegiate Poetry Contest.
Tate Haugen finished in first place, and Kiersten Paxton landed in third place in the competition, which the Poetry Society of Tennessee sponsored. The two, who are seniors pursuing bachelor’s degrees in English, with a concentration in creative writing, will have their poems published in Tennessee Voices Anthology 2024-2025.
“We are ecstatic to see these results from Tate and Kiersten and congratulate them on achieving this special honor,” said Dr. Josh Martin, assistant professor of English. “Both of them are talented writers with the potential for strong careers in this field as they continue to develop their craft. Their success and commitment to high-quality work continue Tusculum’s tradition of producing excellent creative writers who make their mark on the literary world.”
Senior art and design students to present their work during capstone exhibitions at Tusculum University
GREENEVILLE – Seniors pursuing bachelor’s degrees in art and design from Tusculum University will showcase their work during their capstone exhibitions in November.
The community is invited to view Landry Tea’s and Juliana Ailyn Flores Martinez’s work during the day in the Clem Allison Art Gallery. People are also encouraged to attend receptions for the two students and speak with them about their art.
Tea’s show will be held Tuesday, Nov. 12-Monday, Nov. 18, and is available for viewing from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. Her reception will take place Thursday, Nov. 14, from 5-7 p.m. in the gallery. Flores’ exhibit will be in the gallery Tuesday, Nov. 19-Tuesday, Nov. 26, and will also be available for viewing from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. Her reception will be Friday, Nov. 22, from 5-7 p.m.
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” to play at Tusculum University for 10 shows in November
GREENEVILLE – Cast members and the behind-the-scenes production team are putting the final touches on the upcoming 10-performance run of the beloved musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at Tusculum University.
The Theatre-at-Tusculum shows will take place in Behan Arena Theatre Nov. 14, Nov. 15, Nov. 16, Nov. 21, Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 16, Nov. 17, Nov. 23 and Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. Steve Schultz, the musical’s director, said the performances will highly entertain audiences as they absorb the story and the vocals of the ensemble.
“The show contains a little bit of everything,” said Schultz, who also serves as director of Tusculum Arts Outreach. “When audiences come to the theater, they will see a familiar story told in a very comfortable and fun way. Our actors and the production team have left rehearsals in great spirits because it is a very enjoyable and high-energy musical. They will present exceptional shows the community will not want to miss.”
Tusculum University Center for the Arts Gala to show program achievements, thank donors and generate further financial support
GREENEVILLE – Celebrate the achievements of Tusculum University’s diverse and robust arts programs and learn what more is in store during an upcoming gala at the higher education institution.
The 2nd Annual Tusculum University Center for the Arts Gala will take place Tuesday, Nov. 12, in Chalmers Conference Center, which is located inside the Scott M. Niswonger Commons. This elegant event begins at 6:30 p.m. and will feature a delicious meal, entertainment and recognition of those who have financially backed the university’s arts programming.
“We encourage everyone to join us for a majestic evening, which will blend fun and relaxation with valuable information about our offerings,” said Rouja Green, director of the Center for the Arts. “Our programming enriches personal lives and contributes significantly to the community’s qualify of life and growth of the arts. We welcome the opportunity to share the breadth and depth of our arts initiatives and additional opportunities for the community to partner with us.”
Tusculum University Community Band to perform “A Veterans Day Celebration” featuring patriotic music Nov. 11
GREENEVILLE – Honor military veterans and enjoy an evening of stirring patriotic music by attending “A Veterans Day Celebration” performed by the Tusculum University Community Band.
The band will hold the concert on Veterans Day Monday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. at Niswonger Performing Arts Center. In addition to music, the event will include the Greeneville High School ROTC conducting a posting of the colors ceremony and appearances by special guests Cal Doty, mayor of Greeneville, and Alan Corley, mayor of the City of Tusculum.
The concert is free, but donations are welcome.
Start your Halloween celebration early with “Edgar Allan Poe and Other Stories in the Woods” at Tusculum University
GREENEVILLE – One of the newer events at Tusculum University, which has developed a following in the region, will be back with more exciting short-form plays and plenty of opportunities to socialize and support student organizations.
“Edgar Allan Poe and Other Stories in the Woods” will be held Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Doak House Museum. Gates open at 5:45 p.m. and the plays begin at 6:30 p.m. each day. The Theatre-at-Tusculum event will feature five plays lasting 10-12 minutes each, and participants will have an opportunity to see all of them because they will be repeated five times.
Student clubs will sell concessions as a fundraiser for their activities.
Talented, enthusiastic cast selected for Theatre-at-Tusculum production “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
GREENEVILLE – A cast of 35 that features a blend of Tusculum University family members, alumni and people from the community will bring high-quality entertainment to audiences when “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” takes the stage in November on campus.
The production team recently finalized the cast for this musical, and nightly rehearsals have begun for this Theatre-at-Tusculum show. Steve Schultz, director of Tusculum Arts Outreach and a local theater veteran, is serving as director of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” and he is thrilled with the cast that has been assembled.
“We are excited to have a cast that is vibrant, brilliantly talented and endlessly charming,” Schultz said. “All cast members perfectly fit the roles they have been assigned, and that will result in smooth rehearsals and exceptional performances for our audiences. These performers are committed to the show, and they will work extremely hard to have a lot of fun.”
Award-winning Southern author Dale Neal to conduct reading, answer questions at Tusculum University
GREENEVILLE – An accomplished writer with a deep understanding of the Southern Appalachian culture will share his wisdom and his words during an upcoming reading at Tusculum University.
Dale Neal, a novelist, teacher and journalist, will appear in Behan Arena Theatre Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. as part of the Fall Humanities Reading Series. He will read some of his works, answer questions and participate in further interaction at a reception in the Behan lobby afterward. The event is free and open to the public and the Tusculum family.
“We chose Dale to be the speaker because, as a prominent Appalachian voice, he is uniquely positioned to combat some of the myths of this part of the country and to praise its unique beauty,” said Dr. Josh Martin, assistant professor of English at Tusculum, who is organizing the event. “The region is a melting pot of culture, literature, cuisine and tradition, and Dale’s work reflects all of these great attributes.”
Contemporary artist Katie Murphy to exhibit “The Great Southern Box Show” for a month at Tusculum University
GREENEVILLE – A renowned painter from Johnson City who focuses on personal feminism and uses figuration and abstraction as her primary forms of expression will exhibit her cutting-edge work for a month at Tusculum University.
Katie Murphy will present “The Great Southern Box Show” from Friday, Sept. 27-Friday, Oct. 25, in the Clem Allison Gallery, located inside Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Center. Tusculum’s Center for the Arts will host a reception for her from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, which also falls during the university’s Homecoming celebration. The public is invited to attend the exhibit and the reception, both of which are free. Monetary donations are welcome.
Murphy and Benjamin Conley, assistant professor of art and design at Tusculum, connected through the Johnson City arts scene and have participated in a couple of shows together. Like Conley, she is an arts educator. Assessing her work, Conley is impressed with the talent she brings to the table.
Tusculum alumnus receives Rotary scholarship for further studies to prepare him for potential start of diplomatic career
GREENEVILLE – A Tusculum University alumnus has earned a prestigious scholarship, with help from his alma mater, that could position him to start a career on the diplomatic stage for the United States.
Eirik Dahlgren, who earned a bachelor’s degree in history and museum studies from Tusculum in 2023, has been selected for Rotary International’s Global Grant Scholarship. This is a $35,000 scholarship that will enable him to complete a master’s degree in international conflict and cooperation from the University of Stirling in Scotland. He begins his program there Sept. 23.
Dahlgren plans to use this graduate degree as a springboard to a position with the U.S. Agency for International Development. This organization builds potential trade partnerships with other countries, which have been impacted by natural disasters or wars, through economic development support. Dahlgren’s subsequent goals are to earn a doctorate and then potentially work in an embassy or in other diplomatic initiatives.
Call for auditions issued for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” to be held at Tusculum University
GREENEVILLE – “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is coming to Tusculum University, and Tusculum Arts Outreach invites anyone in the region who wants to be in the cast to audition.
Arts Outreach will hold auditions for the musical Sunday, Sept. 1, through Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 6-9 p.m. in Behan Arena Theatre. If necessary, call-backs will occur Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the same time. Steve Schultz, director of Arts Outreach and the production, is seeking to cast 25-35 people who are 14 and older and 10-20 children who are 8-13 years old.
“We have tremendous theatrical talent in this region and encourage everyone who loves to perform to join us for the auditions,” Schultz said. “This will be an exciting production, a rewarding experience for the cast and a delightful experience for the audience. Whether you are a veteran of Tusculum shows or you want to begin your theatrical journey with us, we look forward to seeing what you can bring this musical.”