The Department of Art at Middle Tennessee State University presents the Todd Art Gallery’s opening exhibition for spring semester 2013: entitled 12×12: A National Juried Exhibition of Small-Scale Works of Art, it represents the fourth exhibition of its kind at MTSU since 2006 and will be on display in the gallery through Feb. 14.

“With nearly 500 art works from which to choose, 71 pieces were chosen for the exhibition,” said Eric V. Snyder, Todd Art Gallery Director. “The artists’ response to participate has exceeded our highest expectations and nearly matched the combined numbers involved with our three previous 12×12 exhibits; a wonderful testimony to the tremendous variety of artwork currently being produced across the United States.”

Jean Nagy, Chair of the Department of Art expressed amazement for 12×12’s variety: “You have a piece made from Legos,” exclaimed Nagy upon learning of the media represented, which ranges from paintings, clay, etchings, drawings, wood, prints and photography to Legos, mouse traps and shirt collars.

An online catalog planned for the near future will include an additional 111 works of art from a further group of submissions that are not included in the gallery exhibit due to space limitations. The catalog will also consist of the 71 exhibition art works and the exhibit’s award winners, which include the University Provost award for Best of Show, the College of Liberal Arts (or Dean’s) Award, the Department of Art award and additional awards for Excellence and Merit.

Jochen Wierich, nationally recognized art curator from Nashville’s Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art served as the exhibition’s juror.

With interest expressed by artists from far-flung locales including Australia, Ireland and Mexico, plans are now in place to offer participation opportunities to the world community of fine artists for the exhibit’s 2015 edition, to be titled 12×12: An International Exhibition of Small-Scale Works of Art.

All MTSU Todd Art Gallery exhibitions are free and open to the public. For more information, parking and directions, contact Snyder at (615) 898-5653 or eric.snyder@mtsu.edu or visit mtsu.edu/art.