MTSU, Borderless Arts collaborate on patriotic art celebrating Tennessee’s historical impact

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Borderless Arts Tennessee continues its partnership with Middle Tennessee State University faculty and students through multiple projects that combine history and hands-on experiential learning, or EXL, while giving nod to Tennessee’s “Volunteer State” moniker.

Rooted in the idea of showcasing Tennessee’s impact on the nation, the projects grew from discussions about how Tennessee shaped American history. While Tennessee is home to three United States presidents — Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson — organizers wanted to look beyond those individuals.

Through a partnership with Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Borderless Arts Tennessee members took this handcrafted quilt to The Hermitage — historic home of late United States President Andrew Jackson — in on Jan. 8, 2026, to present the art project during the commemoration of the Battle of New Orleans, which was led by Gen. Jackson and helped earn Tennessee the “Volunteer State” moniker. The Borderless Arts project, titled “MtTennesseeMore,” plays off Mount Rushmore, which features four U.S. presidents’ faces carved in granite, with a symbolic fourth face alongside the state’s three presidents, representing generations of volunteers whose civic engagement has defined Tennessee’s identity. (Submitted photo) (Submitted photo)

Volunteer state representation

“The big thing that came out of the discussion was the idea of volunteers, since we are known as the ‘Volunteer State,’” explained Lori Kissinger, Department of Communication Studies master instructor and director of Borderless Arts Tennessee,a statewide nonprofit that offers accessible arts programs for people with disabilities.

Professor Lori Kissinger, Department of Communication Studies, College of Liberal Arts — Professor Lori Kissinger

Tennessee first earned the official nickname for the overwhelming number of militiamen who volunteered to fight in the War of 1812, particularly under the leadership of Gen. Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans on Jan. 8, 1815. Nearly 15 years later, Jackson would be elected the seventh president of the United States.

That spirit of service became the cornerstone of the project’s central theme, combined with the concept of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, a colossal sculpture featuring faces of four U.S. presidents — George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln — carved into the granite face in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

The Borderless Arts project, titled “MtTennesseeMore,” plays off Mount Rushmore with a symbolic fourth face alongside the state’s three presidents, representing generations of volunteers whose civic engagement has defined Tennessee’s identity.

Experiential learning in action

Students in Kissinger’s experiential learning-designated courses on public speaking and nonprofit communication earned EXL credits for participating in the art project.

Dr. Lauren Rudd, associate professor, Department of Human Sciences, College of Behavioral and Health Sciences — Dr. Lauren Rudd

“Most of the time, those classes rarely intersect,” Kissinger said. “But this project has brought together two completely different groups of students around a shared community experience.”

Kissinger and Textiles, Merchandising and Design Program professor Lauren Emery Rudd led Borderless Arts members and MTSU students to create handcrafted fabric artworks in the fall.

“I thought it would be a fun experience just to get to know people. I’m very much into art,” said junior graphic design major Kylie Otis from McKenzie, one of Kissinger’s students who participated in the EXL project in November 2025.

Kahari Cephus, a nutrition and food science major from Cordova, took to heart the volunteer spirit of the project.

“This is a way of giving back to the community and I just like art,” Cephus said, “and I like helping people out.”

Borderless Arts Tennessee, a nonprofit group that provides inclusive, accessible arts programming for people with disabilities, is teaming up with Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., for a project titled “MtTennesseeMore.” The project — a nod to the iconic American landmark Mount Rushmore — will be on display as part of the state’s celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. (MTSU photo by James Cessna) — Borderless Arts Tennessee, a nonprofit group that provides inclusive, accessible arts programming for people with disabilities, is teaming up with Middle Tennessee State niversity in Murfreesboro, Tenn., for a project titled “MtTennesseeMore.” The project — a nod to the iconic American landmark Mount Rushmore — will be on display as part of the state’s celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

Borderless Arts Tennessee members Erica McMurray, standing at center, and Jennifer Scallorn, seated next to hear at right, along with Robin Summers, standing at right, talk with students in the Learning Resource Center sewing lab at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., before an art project that will be on display as part of the state’s celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. (MTSU photo by James Cessna) — Borderless Arts Tennessee, a nonprofit group that provides inclusive, accessible arts programming for people with disabilities, is teaming up with Middle Tennessee State niversity in Murfreesboro, Tenn., for a project titled “MtTennesseeMore.” The project — a nod to the iconic American landmark Mount Rushmore — will be on display as part of the state’s celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

Multiple ties to historic events, places

The fabric artwork was presented publicly Jan. 8 during the annual Battle of New Orleans commemoration at The Hermitage, Jackson’s historic home near Nashville. During the ceremony at the president’s tomb, speakers reflected on leadership and service, while a Borderless Arts piece was displayed nearby.

“We also were making art on what it means to be an American,” Kissinger said. “That art will be displayed April 1 through May 16 at the First State National Historical Park, New Castle, Delaware.”

The initiative returns to campus March 21 with a “friendship piece” that will be sent to Glasgow Caledonian University in Glasgow, Scotland, one of the study abroad partner programs with MTSU.

“They will display it as part of their 150^th birthday,” Kissinger said.

The woven artwork incorporates elements of Scottish tartan design blended with red, white and blue accents — symbolizing a shared celebration. The timing aligns with multiple milestones: the Scottish university’s 150th anniversary, the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States and the 25th anniversary of Borderless Arts Tennessee.

Kissinger said the Tennessee-focused pieces serve as a launching point — asking, “Who is Tennessee?” — while the international component extends that identity outward, reinforcing global partnerships and shared history.

To learn more about Borderless Arts, visit https://borderlessartstn.org/.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)