Exhibitions

Folk Art

A significant collection of works by self-taught Southern artists remains on display at WTRAC year round.

Sculpture

The Caldwell Collection of sculpture includes a diverse range of three-dimensional works created from bronze, stone, wood and modern mixed media.

Red Grooms

WTRAC’s permanent collection includes a number of works by renowned artist Red Grooms, a close personal friend of the Caldwell family.

2026 Annual Juried Exhibition of Collegiate Student Art

Oct 2026 - Nov 2026

Bellwethers is a regional juried exhibition of collegiate student art held annually by the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Department of Visual and Theatre Arts in collaboration with WTRAC. Originally known as Artists of the 21st Century, this event was created by UT Martin Professor of Graphic Design, Lane Last, in 2000 as a way for college art students in the region to see how they measure up against students from other programs under the professional review of an outside juror. Opening Day is October 19, 2026. Closing Ceremony and Awards Presentations are November 13. 2026 5:00 to 7:00 pm

Tennessee Watercolor Society

Jul 2026 - Sep 2026

WTRAC is hosting the traveling portion of the Tennessee Watercolor Society Biennial Juried Exhibition, featuring 30 selected paintings, Monday, July 27, through Friday, Sept. 4.

Strawberry Festival Invitational

May 2026

As part of the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival, the annual WTRAC Invitational Art Exhibition showcases the work of five talented West Tennessee artists.

2026 Congressional Art Competition

Apr 2026

WTRAC hosted a public reception featuring local finalists from the 2026 Congressional Art Competition, a nationwide program recognizing the artistic talents of high school students. The showcase highlighted original 2D works, with winners from each Congressional district to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

Works by Self-Taught Southern Artists

Jan 2017 - Dec 2017

WTRAC’s primary benefactors, the Caldwells, were passionate collectors of self-taught “folk” or “outsider” artists who created original, sincere and often subtly humorous images of their worlds using whatever materials were available.