COOKEVILLE – Sculptural woodworking by artist Travis Townsend is being featured in Tennessee Tech University’s Joan Derryberry Art Gallery through Feb. 10, with a gallery talk and reception scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 10 at 4:30 p.m.
Townsend draws, builds, rebuilds, paints and tinkers upon wood and mixed media sculptures in his Lexington studio. His process-oriented works evolve from sketches and travel through many transformations before being cut apart, reassembled and reworked, sometimes many years later. Parts are often transplanted or recycled.
He studied at Kutztown University and Virginia Commonwealth University and has presented solo exhibitions at The Parachute Factory, Washington State University, Manifest Gallery, Doppler PDX, Southwest School of Art, Weston Gallery and the New Arts Program. His work has been included in numerous group exhibitions and appeared in the publications “New American Paintings,” “The Manifest International Drawing Annual” and “The Penland Book of Woodworking.”
He has been a resident artist at Penland School of Craft, Oregon College of Art and Craft, Vermont Studio Center and Peters Valley School. His awards include an Emerging Artist Grant from the American Craft Council, a fellowship from the Kentucky Arts Council, three sculpture grants from the Virginia A. Groot Foundation and recent travel grants from the Great Meadows Foundation.
Ongoing projects include collaborative sculptures, drawings and installations with the Smith Townsend Collaborative.
This exhibit and event are sponsored by the Center Stage series, admission to Center Stage events is free unless otherwise noted.
Center Stage events are paid by student fees and open to the public with priority seating given to students. Many guests provide additional educational opportunities for students through workshops or master classes during their residencies. Email or call Liz Kassera, Center Stage coordinator, for more information at lkassera@tentech.edu or (931) 372-3637.
The Joan Derryberry Art gallery is located in the Roaden University Center at 1000 N. Dixie Ave.
