Middle Tennessee is full of artful and cultural experiences that you can experience this fall. We’ve rounded up the best spots to immerse yourself in Rutherford County, so don’t worry about finding the perfect galleries, theaters and classes. They’re all right here.
Visual Arts
Rutherford County is a growing destination for the arts, just a short drive from Nashville. We spoke with Susan Gulley, our Director of Cultural & Heritage Tourism in Rutherford County, to learn more about what makes Middle Tennessee such a hub for artists and art lovers. Susan explained that the area has always had “a plethora of talent and involvement, but in the last five years, the promotion of this talent has exploded into the public’s view.”
One major aspect of the cultural scene is visual arts, showcased in galleries, sculptures, murals and more. There are more visual arts experiences in Rutherford County than you can count. Below is a guide to the most current galleries and exhibitions available this fall.
Galleries
The Washington Theatre has a Community Gallery in Patterson Park Community Center. This gallery, featuring the contemporary work of local artists, exists in a space where the community gathers and exemplifies that communal feel of local, Middle Tennessee artwork.
Another gallery with a focus on local artists is Trellis & Vine Studio & Gallery in Smyrna, Tennessee. From paintings to books to crafts, Trellis & Vine will connect you with a wide range of art mediums that you could browse from 10 a.m to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.
The versatile space of the Art Gallery at the Center for the Arts in Murfreesboro serves many purposes for the creative community in Middle Tennessee, with a rotating selection of curated art from local artists.
Church Street Gallery, open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, also features the work of local artists. At Church Street Gallery, you’ll find a range of art types, including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, blown glass and more. Browse beautiful art or pick up a piece to take home.
For a hidden gem with a particularly Tennessean feel, visit Murfreesboro Art League Gallery at Cannonsburgh Village. This gallery showcases the talent of its members and is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 - 4 p.m. on Sundays. Artwork, prints, cards and other items are for sale to support the artists. The entryway showcase also spotlights the work of a different member each month. Look online to find 2023 showcase artists, upcoming events, and classes.
For a more global reach, explore the Center for Chinese Music and Culture, which promotes cultural diversity and mutual understanding. The CCMC has a large space at Middle Tennessee State University’s Miller Education Center, with a gallery of Chinese musical instruments, a library, as well as archives.
Other art galleries in Middle Tennessee include:
- Murfree Art Gallery in Murfreesboro
- Todd Art Gallery in Murfreesboro
- Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center Gallery in Smyrna
In case you’d like to connect directly with the creators in Middle Tennessee, we’ve curated an extensive list of local artists in our area. If you haven’t yet found the studio you’d like to visit, browse these artist profiles at our website to learn more about their craft and possible opportunities to visit their studio spaces.
Sculptures
One of the most exciting sculpture exhibits currently in Rutherford County comes from the prestigious Seward Johnson Atelier Foundation of New Jersey. Main Street Murfreesboro has five of their sculptures on loan through January, with the theme of “Celebrating the Familiar.” Through grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission and Redstone Federal Credit Union, Susan Gulley tells us, Main Street Murfreesboro brought “these lifesize, interactive sculptures” to Middle Tennessee. As you walk around downtown Murfreesboro, use the foundation’s “Explorer’s Guide” to observe, reflect and create a moment or your own piece of art to celebrate the beauty in everyday life.
Classes
In Rutherford County, we have four great options for painting classes, no matter your level of experience.
Carpe Artista is a local organization that provides both children and adults with artistic training, leadership development and community engagement opportunities. Carpe Artista provides various art classes, including visual arts and photography lessons. Go on your own, bring your family, or both to acquire new artistic skills and get involved with the community in Middle Tennessee.
Plan a date night out at Painting With a Twist, where you can enjoy a bottle of wine, the teachings of a painting instructor and your own canvas! View their calendar and reserve a seat. Board & Brush also offers an exciting “paint and sip” experience in which you can relax with friends while learning new, artistic skills. Visit the Board & Brush calendar to check out the workshops open to the public, or consider booking a private party or corporate event.
For other painting classes with a family feel, check out Color Me Mine in Murfreesboro. Here, instead of working with a canvas, you’ll be painting a ceramic piece of your choosing. You can make it completely your own, or use their projects and technique pages to get inspired.
Performing Arts
The Center for the Arts also has amazing live theater with seasonal productions. In December, the theater will show the holiday classic “White Christmas.” After December, the upcoming 2024 show lineup is sure to please, with shows including “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Bring It On,” “Big Fish,” and more. They also offer vocal lessons—if you’re inspired to practice your own performance arts, visit the center today!
In November, the Mills-Pate Arts Center will stage The Code Breaker from Murfreesboro Little Theatre. They also have routine Improv Nights with Ghost Lights Studio if you’re ready to play some games, learn new improv skills and have a ton of fun!
Speaking of Murfreesboro Little Theater, this community organization will be performing An Evening with Abraham Lincoln in the historic Oaklands Mansion. This one man show, from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. November 12, is an experience you won’t want to miss. Actor Jacob Truax will deliver an original performance and transport you back in time to Lincoln’s heyday, the 19th century.
The Springhouse Theatre Company has also been busy this fall season, as they are putting on “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” in December, and “Jayne Eyre” in February of next year. Buy your season tickets to make sure you won’t miss any of the 2023-2024 productions, also including She Loves Me next April. Ticket prices range based for seniors, children, students and active and retired military reserves.
Another well known hub of performing arts talent, MTSU’s Tucker Theatre will host their Fall Dance Concert from November 16 to 18. To see all of their events, visit the Tucker Theatre calendar on their website.
Musical Arts
On December 1, The Tennessee Philharmonic will welcome us into the holiday season with their Christmas Spectacular at Belle Aire Baptist Church.
MTSU’s premiere ensemble, the Symphony Orchestra, will host their Symphony Concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, December 2. These amazing musical talents will feature both masterpieces of standard orchestral literature and outstanding contemporary compositions.
Rutherford County is also the proud home of Middle Tennessee Choral Society. On Sunday, December 3, the Choral Society will perform a show featuring Gloria Fanfare by Jeffery Ames, Nativity Suite by Dale Warland, and Christmas Cantata by Daniel Pinkham. Head over to Hinton Hall on MTSU Campus to catch this special performance.
Events
If you haven’t already found enough to do in Rutherford County, there are more events planned that you’ll want to be a part of.
Susan Gulley tells us that, on December 1, “Downtown Murfreesboro comes alive with art and shopping during the quarterly Sip, Shop and Stroll event hosted by Main Street Murfreesboro and the BORO Art Crawl.” Showcasing artists selected from among the community's amazing Arts and Entertainment resources, Main Street Murfreesboro created a list of businesses participating in the crawl. Once you’re there, you can choose to visit as many galleries as you’d like.
Can’t wait for December? Don’t worry! From November 17-19, local artists will open up their own studios for public tours as part of the Art Studio Tour.
An Ever-Changing Arts Scene
Rutherford County has proven itself to be not “just a copy of the downtown Nashville Broadway vibe,” but an entirely independent art scene with “so many varied opportunities to experience and explore.” We can’t wait to see you at the numerous shows, performances, art crawls, classes and more that we’re offering this season.
To stay up to date on our ever-changing arts scene, visit The CVB Tourism page, the Rutherford Arts Alliance, The Murfreesboro Pulse newspaper and the City of Murfreesboro Cultural Arts page.