The MTSU Department of Art announces a Todd Art Gallery exhibit showcasing the ongoing collaborative studies of Dr. Brooke Hofsess, Appalachian State University; Dr. Kelly Guyotte, University of Alabama;

Dr. Sara Scott Shields, Florida State University and MTSU's Dr. Gloria Wilson. As artists, scholars, and educators these four examine the concept of "embodied cartography" and what it means to aesthetically map their first years as assistant professors in academia. ?

Their research draws upon two distinct but complementary approaches: collaborative autoethnography and arts-based research. For this exhibition, they turned to arts-based modes of representation to help fully realize the creative potential of their narratives.

Moving between varied media such as: painting, video, book arts, fiber arts, and poetry these scholars respond to the question, "How would a diverse collective of female, tenure-track assistant professors, map their movements individually, collectively and aesthetically through academic spaces?"

To answer this question, the arts emerged as a sustainable means of challenging what representation means and how researchers might live in, with, and make sense of their mutual experiences as graduates of a shared doctoral program in Art Education, K-12 education, and tenure. Their interconnectedness and research explorations continue to unite their movements, enrich their findings, and deepen the scope of the exhibit.

• GALLERY HOURS: Located on the second floor of MTSU's Todd Building, the Todd Art Gallery is open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays and closed on all state and university holidays. Admission is free and exhibits are open to the public. Google search "MTSU Todd Art Gallery directions" or visit: http://tinyurl.com/ToddArtGallery