This past weekend was the grand opening of the 159th annual International Exhibition of the American Watercolor Society at the Tullahoma Fine Arts Center (TFAC). The exhibit will run from now until Aug. 15.

The opening of the exhibit took place on Saturday, June 20, which featured 40-premiere, awardwinning watercolor and acrylic paintings from some of the finest artists in the world. According to Greg Gressel, TFAC Executive Director, the selection of the artwork on display was chosen by the American Watercolor Society of New York City, adding that the art center was one of five locations in the country to receive the exhibit.

In addition to the American Watercolor Society display, attendees can also enjoy the Tennessee Americana exhibit, which features over 30 pieces of artwork from artists in the region as part of the America 250 celebration in Tullahoma.

“The upstairs is the American Watercolor exhibit,” Gressel said. “Downstairs is the Tennessee Americana exhibit, part of our 250 Celebration here at the Tullahoma Fine Arts Center.”

Gressel said running the two exhibits at the same time was his idea, as visitors stopping by to see the American Watercolor Society exhibit will have a chance to see the talent of the local artists.

“People will be traveling from all over, from Atlanta, from Birmingham, from Louisville, and all over the South Carolinas to see this American Watercolor exhibit,” Gressel said. “I wanted to showcase some of our local artists in the downstairs galleries during that same time, and get some of that kind of national attention and exposure to some of our fantastic artists in this area.”

The exhibit also serves as the first major exhibit held at the art center since South Jackson Performing Arts Center acquired it in 2025. As for what’s to come, Gressel said it was to showcase Tullahoma as an arts destination.

“I did travel to New York to speak with the American Watercolor Society to try to get this exhibit back in Tullahoma, to make us the stop in the Southeast for this exhibit,” Gressel said. “My big thing is just to expose our people to this kind of caliber of art right here in Tullahoma, and to let them know that we have a lot of great artists here and a lot of great opportunities for the arts in Tullahoma.”

In addition, Gressel said the exhibit’s final day will feature a closing reception hosted by the Tullahoma chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Tullahoma Fine Arts Center will be open Thursday through Sunday for the exhibit. The art center will be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The exception will be the week of July 4th, when the art center will be closed. Admission to see the exhibit is $5. The art center will also offer private viewings for groups, organizations, and businesses.

For more information, call the art center at 931-455-1234 or email admintfac@tullahomaart. org.