In cooperation with the Tennessee State Museum, the offices of Tennessee first lady Andrea Conte and ETSU President Dr. Paul Stanton, the Carroll Reece Museum will host Far Hills: Images from the Tennessee Residence, a statewide, traveling exhibition of works by noted Tennessee artist Charles Brindley from Feb. 21-March 7.
“Far Hills”, the executive residence in Nashville, originally named because of its breathtaking view, was built in 1929 by the William Ridley Wills family and has served as the official home of the governor of Tennessee since it was acquired by the state in 1949. The third and only remaining Governor’s Residence in the state, for 55 years it has served the people of Tennessee and hosted many notable visitors, including presidents and foreign heads of state.
The residence is currently undergoing major renovations, assuring its ability to serve the people of Tennessee for many future generations. Initiated by Governor Phil Bredesen and Conte in 2003, the renovation and restoration project is an effort to preserve and protect the history and integrity of the home.
As part of that effort, Brindley was commissioned to produce paintings and drawings of the home and its grounds to commemorate its history.
Brindley, who excels at interpreting the dynamic interplay between the natural and human environments, has produced paintings, drawings and watercolors of the house and the grounds to be included in the exhibit.
Accompanying the Brindley exhibition will be a student exhibit, featuring the works of local high school students depicting life in Tennessee.
Each high school in Tennessee is eligible to submit one piece of art to be part of the exhibit with each local winner and two runners-up receiving monetary scholarships.
The winning piece will then travel with the exhibit, and after the conclusion, a grand prize winner will receive a $1000 scholarship.
The Reece Museum will host an opening reception on Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 6-8 p.m. This event will be attended by Conte, Brindley, Stanton and student artists, and the reception is free and open to the public.
Carroll Reece Museum hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Thursday. For more information, call 439-4392.

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