Tennessee Tech’s College Of Fine Arts Hosts Inaugural Celebration Called Arty Gras

Tennessee Tech College of Fine Arts hosting its first-ever college celebration event this Saturday.

Dean Jennifer Shank said the college has tried to find a way to host the event since its inception around 6 years ago, but the pandemic put a pause on those efforts. She said they felt this year was the perfect time to celebrate the faculty, students, and all of their creative endeavors.

“Cookeville and the surrounding areas have so much hidden talent with artists and musicians and that’s also reflected in our university, and our majors in art and music here,” Shank said. “And I think it’s a great way to make our public aware of what our students are capable of and what they do.”

Shank said they chose this year’s theme to be Arty Gras, a play on the holiday Mardi Gras held around the same time. She said that is because Mardi Gras is a way to be individuals, celebrate, and have a fun excuse for a costume party.

Shank said Arty Gras is not a fundraising event, but strictly a party to celebrate the talent in the College of Fine Arts. She said while this year’s event is closed, they already have plans for the years to come with different themes.

“Given the last few years we’ve had to kind of hold off on these events but it’s worked out really well to kind of help us to get our feet under us,” Shank said. “(…)It will always be a fine arts fete, fete meaning party, but the theme will be rotating so we can always have surprises and new experiences for our guests. So if you didn’t get to come this year, don’t worry, keep an eye out for it in early spring of 2024.”