MTSU’s Todd Art Gallery is showcasing Nashville’s lengthy art influence on the region as well as the work of upcoming student artists with two new exhibits open through mid-March.

“Vacation” by Nashville artist Mandy Brown is one of the pieces showcased at MTSU’s Todd Art Gallery through March 13 in the new “Second Nashville Art Gallery Expo” exhibit. (Photos submitted)

The Second Nashville Art Gallery Expo, on display in Todd Room 224A, features works from nontraditional art spaces that have emerged over the last few years to become important contributors to the Nashville and Middle Tennessee art world, including Ground Floor Gallery, Seed Space, Cumberland Gallery, the Arts Company, LeQuire Gallery and Zeitgiest Art Gallery.

The MTSU Department of Art’s Spring Juried Student Exhibit, held in Todd 210, features work submitted by students from across the MTSU campus with emphasis on ceramics, printmaking, painting and sculpture.

“Rocher Cailleau II” by Nashville artist Heidi Martin Kuster is part of the new “Second Nashville Art Gallery Expo” exhibit underway through March 13 at MTSU’s Todd Art Gallery.

Both exhibits will continue through Thursday, March 13.

All Todd Gallery exhibitions and events are always free and open to the public. A searchable campus map with parking notes is available at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParkingMap13-14.

“Nashville’s influence on the Middle Tennessee region is untold, culturally, and its artistic influence is equally strong,” said Eric Snyder, director of MTSU’s Todd Art Gallery.

“The Second Nashville Art Gallery Expo acknowledges that influence. More importantly, it recognizes a fine arts community ablaze in transition and accomplishment.”

Rocky Horton, the 2013 recipient of the Southeastern College Art Conference Exhibition’s Juror’s Award, served as juror for the spring student exhibit.

The MTSU artists included in the exhibit in Room 210, also known as TAG210, are Acacia Blue, Kayla Connelly, Chelsea Driver, Amber Lelli, Mika Mollenkopf, Josh Petty, Whitney Proper, Scott Sulfridge, Russell White and Sienna Williams.

MTSU’s Todd Art Gallery is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and state and university holidays.

For more information, including parking and directions, contact Snyder at 615-898-5653 or eric.snyder@mtsu.edu or visit www.mtsu.edu/art.