October 19 – December 3, 2026 @ Tusculum University
GREENEVILLE–Tusculum Universityseniors who are pursuing degrees inart and designshowcase their talent and skills obtained during their studies during exhibitions on campus this semester.
The students present 16 pieces in the Clem Allison Gallery that represent the breadth of studio art they have created as Tusculum students. Their work hangs in the gallery for two weeks, and they participate in a reception, where community members and the Tusculum family are invited to view the students’ works and ask them questions.
The students are also compiling an art catalog, a poster and a postcard to promote their senior capstone exhibitions.
“Having our students share their work with the community and their peers is an important part of their development as artists,” said Benjamin Conley, assistant professor of art and design and the gallery’s director. “These emerging artists have spent considerable time honing their craft, and we are delighted to present and celebrate their work.”
The schedule for the senior capstone exhibits is:
Everyone is invited to the receptions, which are held in the gallery from 5-7 p.m. People can also view the exhibits from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. The receptions and the opportunity to view the exhibits are free, but donations to support Tusculum’s art program are welcome.
Walters’ exhibition, which will be the first one, is called “Saltwater and Sidequests.”
This young artist is a commuter student from Johnson City who works primarily across acrylic, oil paint and sculpture. She is inspired deeply by coastal landscapes, marine life and thematic ocean motifs. She said her work examines the interplay of fine art and storytelling by transforming everyday objects and vivid color into immersive narratives.
“Visually and stylistically, my aesthetic choices are deeply informed by pop art and the raw expressive energy of art and graffiti,” Walters said. “I find endless inspiration in the bold lines of Keith Haring, the layered symbolism of Jean-Michel Basquiat and the sharp cultural commentary of Banksy. By blending these influences, I create art that is intensely personal, visually striking and fundamentally grounded in love.
“My work is rooted in two fundamental pillars: the profound beauty of the marine world and the unwavering bond I share with my family.”
Appropriately, Walters’ first name means “of the sea.” She said she has always felt a deep and special connection to the ocean.
“Growing up, our annual trips to the beach were transformative,” she said. “Standing at the water’s edge, I always felt an immediate, comforting sense of home. Those coastal vacations were filled with togetherness, creating a reservoir of cherished memories that naturally spill over into my studio practice. This lifelong pull toward the sea facilitates a deep-seated fascination with marine life.”
She is passionate about her family as well and said that group’s endless support has enabled her to thrive as an artist and art educator.
“Mirissa has performed excellent work as a student at Tusculum, and it will be exciting to see her work on display in the studio,” Conley said. “She has grown as an artist, and I look forward to watching her art career continue to progress through the remainder of her time as a student and then as a professional.”
The work of the other student artists will be detailed closer to the start of their exhibitions.
Anyone with questions about the exhibits can email Conley atbconley@tusculum.edu. 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