A graduate of MTSU’s fine arts program, East Tennessee visual artist Randy L. Purcell is recognized for his signature encaustic process of transferring magazine ink directly onto beeswax to create intricate, mosaic-like compositions. His work explores perception, memory, and the accumulation of experiences. His work has been privately collected and exhibited in galleries and public venues, including the Nashville International Airport (BNA) and the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Public art commissions include a Metro Arts Nashville bike rack design and murals for Nashville’s ARTober celebration and MTSU’s Veteran Center.

Randy is currently represented by The District Gallery in Knoxville, TN, The Copper Fox Gallery in Leiper’s Fork, TN, and KOREGallery in Louisville, KY. 

Connect with Randy: www.randylpurcell.com

Grant Cooley is a Nashville Based Illustrator whose work tends to be conceptual in nature. Working in inks, acrylics and oils, Grant shows work locally and regionally usually accompanied by demos and lectures.

Connect with Grant: www.instagram.com/grantcooleystudios

Dayo has been creating beautiful works of art for over 30 years. She has traveled to many states exhibiting her work at juried art shows and other events. Her work is represented by many galleries including Ellis–Chambers Gallery, Art on 5 and in gift shops including The Tennessee State Museum. She has had solo exhibits at Vanderbilt University and her works can be seen in several centers’ private collections throughout the campus. She has been commissioned as a muralist for Metro Nashville Public Schools and is a self- published illustrator of a coloring book. Her work can be seen in online publications like The Creative Jar and Sara Cannon Center for the Arts. She’s also a member of Nashville based, female Artists group “Artsy Chicks”. She is best known for her “Children of God” series which depicts children of all nationalities with expressions of unity, love, faith, and peace. Dayo enjoys sharing her gift with people of all ages through teaching private and community-based art classes.
She currently resides and creates in Nashville Tennessee.

Connect with Valentine: www.instagram.com/valentineadamsstudio

Mihail Tomescu is a Romanian-born visual artist active in the United States and internationally. His recent exhibitions include shows at Ground Floor Galley, Blue Fig Gallery in Nashville and Scope Art Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
He received his MFA from Penn State School of Visual Arts and BFA from the University of Arts and Design, Cluj Napoca, Romania. After graduation he moved with his family to Southeast Missouri where in 2012 opens his own Art Gallery in the historic building “Cotton Exchange Bank” in downtown Kennett, MO.
Until 2017, when he moved to Nashville TN, Tomescu traveled extensively getting exposed to various cultural influences which he actively explores and assimilates.
For the past five years he lived and worked in Austin, Texas and Oahu, Hawaii.

My world of art revolves around words, images, texture and found objects. I love old things…wire, chipped paint on wood, rusty metal, string, and items that have interesting shapes and angles. Each piece of art starts with a memory or a concept in the beginning stages but often takes on a flight of its own once put into motion. My work is an extension of who I am encompassing parts of personal life experiences, beliefs and deep morals or ideas.

From the time I was introduced to finger paint, paper, pencil and wood I have wanted to create.  Upon graduating from high school, photography seemed the most practical career choice and began my creative journey. Having played with film since the age of six, I felt that I saw things very differently than most of my peers. As I experimented with different art mediums I was dedicated to finding a way to live that would not confine me to a single day of “sameness.”

Creating art comes naturally, as if I am on autopilot often not realizing what is happening until the composition appears before my eyes. Incorporating old things of the past and elements of design fused with personal written thoughts is magical. Moving forward as the ideas race through my mind I refrain from questioning myself. I love the flaws and imperfections that the old discarded items and memories convey. Sometimes I struggle with the idea of perfection, in those times I get quiet, clear my mind, and dig deep within myself. I discard any worry of what the outside world might think and allow the creative process to carry me through the struggle.

I have to tell a story because it is where my art originates. My biggest reward as an artist is standing off in the distance and secretly watching people analyze my work. My hope is that as they dissect each meaningful element, they are able to connect and create a story of their own.

I am a visual storyteller….it’s what I do and it is all that I know!

Connect with Sheri: www.learnandcreate.com/links

Owner and operator of Damico Frame and Art Printing. Michael is a professional artist and framer. Having studied art for years, his attention to detail and discipline in his personal art productions carries over into your picture frames, prints, and giclees. 

Connect with Michael: www.damicogallery.com

Noted as a Renaissance woman, Carrie Mills’ art and creative life spans the gamut from mixed media collage, photography, fashion, styling, jewelry design, songwriting, singing, and pet portraiture. Carrie also writes a monthly column, “Kvetch in the City” for the Observer newspaper of Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

Carrie is the curator for the art galleries at the Gordon Jewish Community Center going on 17 years.

Connect with Carrie: www.carriemills.com