The Tennessee Valley Fair Student Art Exhibition: 50th Anniversary

October 23–December 13, 2026
Kramer Education Center, Knoxville Museum of Art

Opening Reception: Sunday, November 1, 2–4 p.m.

Celebrating 50 years of recognizing the next generation of artists, the Tennessee Valley Fair Student Art Exhibition honors the creativity and achievements of East Tennessee’s young artists.

Established in 1976 to recognize outstanding student work in the visual arts, the exhibition has grown into a lasting tradition. Originally sponsored by Tom Rechenbach and hosted annually by the Muse Science Center (formerly the East Tennessee Discovery Center), the exhibition continues today with support from Jerry’s Artarama.

The Rechenbach/Jerry’s Artarama Collection, permanently housed at the Knoxville Museum of Art, preserves a remarkable legacy of artistic achievement by middle and high school students throughout the region. Each year, a jury of professional artists and educators selects a Best of Show artwork from the Tennessee Valley Fair Student Art Exhibition to become part of the collection.

Join us in celebrating this milestone anniversary and five decades of nurturing and recognizing the artistic talent of East Tennessee’s young people.