The Diane Marek Visiting Artist Series

Diane Marek recognized the importance of the visual arts in all lives as art proved to her to be a "glimpse" to a path beyond oneself and a means to image a new personal frame through the inspiration of another's vision.

Established in 2006, the Series now brings two to four artists of national and international reputation to Chattanooga yearly with visits of three to five days for one event each academic semester. All Marek Series Artists appear in association with an exhibition of their work in the Cress Gallery.

Marek artists participate in a program of both one-on-one and group activities with UTC Department of Art student majors, members of the University's campus, students and educators from other Chattanooga area academic institutions both public and private, and the citizens and artists of the Chattanooga community and beyond.

The Marek Visiting Artist Series provides the region with a provocative level of exposure to contemporary artists and artistic production encompassing a full range of media and aesthetics. This exposure spans demographics and geographic boundaries to address the broader essence and significance of today's artistic investigation, practice, and expression.