The Department of Art at MTSU is encouraging artists across the nation to submit “great things in small packages” now to prepare for the launch of the Todd Art Gallery’s opening exhibition for spring semester 2013.

“12×12: A National Juried Exhibition of Small-Scale Works of Art,” which is planned Jan. 17-Feb. 14, will serve as the fourth such exhibition of its kind at MTSU since 2006.

Jochen Wierich, curator of art at Nashville’s Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art, will serve as this exhibition’s juror. There are no media restrictions, but all works can be no larger than 12” in any direction.

“Blanket” by Sean O’Meallie won the 2011 President’s Award at the third “12×12” competition.

“We are confident that this exhibit will provide an excellent sampling of the variety and diversity of artwork being produced across the United States,” said Todd Gallery Director Eric Snyder.

“Our Art Department chair, Jean Nagy, the Gallery Committee members and department staff have worked vigorously to increase campus and community awareness for the exhibit while also increasing the number of exhibit awards and prize money available for this next chapter of 12×12’s history.”

“Craigslist: Free: Los Angeles, 2007” by Matthew Bryant won the second “12×12” competition’s 2008 President’s Award.

The deadline for the discounted application fee of $30 is Monday, Nov. 12, and all entries and fees must be received by Monday, Dec. 3, for consideration.

Snyder noted that 12X12 will change its current schedule of exhibiting every other year to exhibiting once every three years, rotating with a planned “Shoebox Sculpture Exhibit” and a “Graphic Design Poster Exhibition.”

All three will use the original 12×12 premise as a national competition to showcase and highlight the very best of fine art and graphic design produced by today’s working artists, he added.

For additional exhibit information, a prospectus and an artist application, visit www.mtsu.edu/art and select the 12×12 thumbnail logo link under “CURRENTnews.” You also may contact Snyder at 615-898-5653 or eric.snyder@mtsu.edu.