November 9–20, 2026 @ Tusculum University
A seniorart and designmajor atTusculum Universityinvites the community to revisit their childlike sense of wonder as they review her works during her capstone art exhibition in the Clem Allison Gallery.
Kayleigh Cook holds her exhibition, “Between Here and Elsewhere," Monday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 20. Guests can come to the gallery weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays to view it. She also holds a reception Thursday, Nov. 19, from 5-7 p.m., during which she will provide some remarks about her art and be available to answer questions from the community.
“We look forward to seeing Kayleigh present her works and share her approach to creating art that is meaningful to her and anyone who views it,” said Benjamin Conley, assistant professor of art and design at Tusculum. “Kayleigh demonstrates a lot of enthusiasm as a person and as an up-and-coming artist, and people will be able to see that in her craft. Visiting her exhibit and exploring her methods through conversation with her will greatly benefit her as she continues to develop as an artist.”
Cook presents a mixture of art in a collection of 16 pieces thatshowcase her talent and what she has learned as a student in the art and design program. Her exhibit includes photography, sculptures and paintings.
Her work explores the desire to escape into imagined worlds while retaining a childlike sense of curiosity, wonder and possibility that often fades out as one ages. Through her photography, sculptures and paintings, she reflects on the meaning of aging without losing the parts of oneself that foster dreams. Her work becomes an escape into a world she has created, where imagination can remain limitless and the beauty and mystery of life can continue to exist.
“I often explore the relationship between childhood imagination and the experience of growing up,” Cook said. “The worlds I create act as both an escape from everyday life and a way for me to look from different perspectives. I lean on the belief that growing up is a choice. Throughout my life, I have seen how people can lose parts of themselves in order to become adults. Instead, I choose to hold onto the curiosity, creativity and sense of wonder I had as a child through the fantasy worlds I create.”
She said these worlds enable her to explore her childhood interests while she thinks about the way they have continued to shape her.
“I am interested in creating spaces where imagination and curiosity can exist without the pressure to be practical or mature,” she said. “Through my work, I question the idea that growing up means leaving behind the things that make us happy. I believe those parts of childhood can remain meaningful and continue to be a part of who we are as we become adults.”
Cook uses photography to create moments that could come from fairy tales. In her sculptures, she deploys items from the natural world to create her own. Her paintings incorporate human anatomy and organic shapes to step outside the realm of possibility.
“My work is an overall escape into a world that allows you to explore the concept of never growing up,” she said.
Viewing "Between Here and Elsewhere" and attending the reception are free, but donations for Tusculum’s art and design program are welcome. The gallery is located in Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Art Center.
Cook’s exhibit is the second of three for Tusculum senior art and design students this fall. Mirissa Walters presented the first show. Sage Clapp will have the final show, running from Monday, Nov. 23-Thursday, Dec. 10, with a reception Thursday, Dec. 3. Further details about Clapp’s exhibit will be shared soon.
Additional information about the art and design program is available athttps://site.tusculum.edu/art-and-design/. To learn more about the university, visitwww.tusculum.edu.
Category: Exhibits