“Artistic Expressions: Let Your Voice Be Heard” is a contemporary juried collaborative art exhibition that celebrates the power of creativity as a voice for emotion, storytelling, and personal vision. Through this collaboration, the art exhibition seeks to highlight the creative arts which can transcend words, capturing the essence of human experience and offering viewers a deeper connection to the artists’ inner world.
The summer exhibition is this year’s iteration of an annual event put together by Barbara and Leroy Hodges. It is hosted by the Middle Tennessee State University Department of Art and Design, the Todd Art Gallery in the Todd Art Building on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro. You are cordially invited to the opening artists reception at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 8, and the exhibition runs through Saturday August 29, 2026.
Together these professional and emerging artists featured in the exhibition present a compelling conversation and discourse on the pressing issues of contemporary life. From intricately detailed drawings and collages, to layered abstractions, mixed media, sculptural constructions, painting to photography, graphic & digital art; their works are relevant and engaging, combining personal views with universal concerns.
Themes addressed in this exhibition range from environmental concerns, cultural hybridity, navigating complex social realities, memory, data and AI system expansion, and identity fluidity using art for social commentary, uplift, or critique. Some artists even reimagine and press forward beyond these themes embracing futuristic realities. Traditional techniques pushed into experimental and innovative spaces are noted in this exhibition.
The exhibition include works from Daniel Arite, Higgins Bond, Natasha Campbell, Gail Clemons, Kimberly Dummons, Samuel L. Dunson, Dalia Garcia, Bri Garner, Barbara Hodges, Leroy Hodges, Shayla Holt, Sisavanh Houghton, David Ikard, Dayo Johnson, DaShawn Lewis, Kimberly Manson, Michael McBride, Michael Mucker, Jimmy Mumford, Wee S. Ng, Destiney Powell, Jairo Prado, Maya Prado, Fred H. Reaves, Tony Rodriguez, Nadine Shillingford, James Threalkill, Ruben Torres, Tricia Townes, Betty Turney-Turner, Maya Turner, Jennifer Tweedie, Carlton Wilkinson and Donna Woodley.
Most of us make art, look at art, read about art, and think about art and believe in the power to transform our lives. These artistic works excel in their ability to do just that as they spark critical conversation and reflection.
Art remains a catalyst for visibility and social change spanning painting, textiles, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media, the works on view reflect each artist’s distinct voice while collectively offering a tapestry of contemporary expression. This exhibit brings together a dynamic group of artists whose work reflects a rich spectrum of voices, practices, and perspectives. Viewers are invited to explore the intersection of familiar and fresh vision – honoring enduring connections while embracing bold new perspectives.
Some of the Artists’ Images that will be in the exhibition include:
Daniel Arite – “A Wave and a Movement”
Higgins Bond – “Black Businessman”
Natasha Campbell – “Uncharted”
Barbara Hodges – “Who Am I”
Leroy Hodges – “Roots to Royalty”
David Ikard – “Black Dandy”
Michael McBride – “Obama”
Michael Mucker – “I’m Sorry If You Don’t Understand”
Destiney Powell – “Connection”
James Threalkill – “Beauty Braids”
Dayo Johnson – “Untitled”, and
Betty Turney-Turner – “The Black Family”.
