MTSU hosts Chinese-American Art Faculty Association national conference Nov. 15-16

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University will bridge cultures and continents with the sixth Chinese-American Art Faculty Association Symposium and Exhibition Conference Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15-16.

Dr. Guanping Zheng, associate vice provost for international affairs — Dr. Guanping Zheng

“The national conference serves as a testament to the eclectic spirit that blends East and West, and mixes varied creative fields highlighting educators’ ability to transform siloed practices into boundless contemporary works,” said media arts professor Guanping Zheng, director of MTSU’s Center for Asian Studies.

The theme for this free conference is “Convergence and Coalescence,” with a blend of live musical and visual arts setting the backdrop for the two-day event.

“A diverse range of presentation topics and artwork submission that fall under the broad topic of ‘Converge and Coalescence’ will be presented at the symposium and exhibition,” Zheng said.

All events are free and open to the public. No reservations are necessary. For more information, email Gaunping.Zheng@mtsu.edu or call 615-904-8365.

Friday, Nov. 15

Activities kick off with a variety of presentations from arts professors from 9 to 11:45 a.m. at MTSU’s Miller Education Center, 503 E. Bell St.

The MTSU Center for Asian Studies and Department of Art and Design will host a reception and art exhibition from 1 to 3 p.m. in Todd Art Gallery, located in Room 224A in Todd Hall, 542 Old Main Circle. The exhibit is open throughout the week with gallery hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Live music and visual art demonstrations will be the focus at 4 p.m. in the Center for Chinese Music and Culture, located in Suite A at Miller Education Center. The MTSU Chinese Music Ensemble will perform a concert along with live painting and calligraphy by artists from the Chinese-American Art Faculty Association.

The Chinese Music Ensemble at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., will perform at the Chinese-American Art Faculty Association Symposium and Exhibit on Nov. 15. (Submitted photo illustration)

“While musicians are playing, the artists will be on stage,” Zheng said.

Saturday, Nov. 16

Conference presentations continue from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. at Miller Education Center, followed by a K-12 art teacher roundtable discussion from 10 a.m. to noon.

“Participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas of art education and share effective practices,” Zheng said.

On Friday, parking is available for the Miller Education Center across the street at the lot located on the corner of Highland Avenue and Bell Street. The MEC lot is designated as staff parking. Parking for Todd Art Gallery is in the Jones Lot, 1512 Military Memorial. A parking map and more information is available at https://mtsu.edu/parking/.

Off-campus visitors can obtain a temporary permit from the Parking and Transportation Services office at 205 City View Drive or pay by plate by visiting https://bit.ly/mtvisitorparking, and clicking the appropriate link under “Visitor Parking.” Visitor permits are $2 per day.

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