Two exhibitions opening this fall across East Tennessee State University’s gallery spaces will offer visitors very different ways to experience the work of artists connected to ETSU.

“Kaleidoscope: Art & Design,” is on display now at Tipton-Ashe Galleries, bringing together work by faculty and staff in ETSU’s Department of Art and Design across a wide range of media.

Meanwhile, “Drawn Together: Katie Ries,” is on display now at Slocumb Galleries, focusing closely on the act of drawing itself — including an interactive portrait project designed to create moments of connection between artist and sitter.

A broad view of creative practice

Presented by ETSU’s Phil and Martha Bachman College of Arts and Sciences and Slocumb Galleries, Kaleidoscope: Art & Design runs through Oct. 30 at Tipton-Ashe Galleries in downtown Johnson City.

Curated by Amber Farley, the exhibition features faculty and staff work spanning painting, drawing, ceramics, installation, sculpture, photography, graphic design, fiber, jewelry and metals, digital materials and printmaking.

Participating artists include Audrey An, Mason Cooley, Michael Fowler, Mira Gerard, Morgan Gilbert, Travis Graves, Ursula Gullow, Mindy Herrin-Lewis, Tao Huang, Sogol Khorram, Katie Murphy, Sage Perrott, Kelly Porter, Kevin Reaves, Katie Ries, Katie Sheffield, Tema Stauffer, Johnathon Strube and Chance Taylor.

An opening reception will be held Oct. 2 from 6-8 p.m. as part of First Friday, with Dr. Joe Bidwell, dean of the Phil and Martha Bachman College of Arts and Sciences, serving as guest of honor.

Drawing as connection

At Slocumb Galleries, Drawn Together: Katie Ries runs through Oct. 23 and examines drawing as a deliberate, hands-on practice in a culture increasingly shaped by speed, convenience and digital image-making.

Ries, an ETSU Art and Design faculty member, uses drawing, ephemera and humor in work that often explores social and ecological connections.

The exhibition grows in part from her practice of making daily portraits and from her interest in what happens when artist and subject spend even a few minutes together.

“Working on these daily portraits made me wish I could draw everyone in my community,” Ries said.

That idea led to the Portrait Shop, an interactive project in which Ries is joined by young and emerging artists, including ETSU students and alumni, to create portraits of gallery visitors.

Most are completed in under 10 minutes.

“These drawings are precious not because of their photorealism, but for the evidence of the hand, the drawn record of our ephemeral time together,” Ries said.

Visitors will be invited to participate in Portrait Shop sessions at select times throughout the exhibition.

A reception for Drawn Together will be held Oct. 15 from 5-7 p.m.

Tipton-Ashe Galleries are located at 401 Ashe Street in downtown Johnson City. Regular viewing hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Fridays from 3-7 p.m. and by appointment.

Slocumb Galleries are located in Ernest C. Ball Hall, 232 Sherrod Drive, on the ETSU campus. Viewing hours are weekdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with extended hours during receptions and by appointment.

For more information or to schedule a visit, email contrera@etsu.edu or text 423-483-3179.