Free artists reception open to the public on September 15 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but when two distinct and dynamic visual artists combine their talents for a shared exhibition, that double vision becomes something special.
Take, for example, the aptly dubbed “Duet,” featuring the combined works of Pinkie Mistry and Medha Karandikar, on display in the DENSO and La Dolce Vita galleries at the Clayton Center for the Arts from September 8 through October 27.
Both artists have ample credits in their field. Mistry’s work spans vivid oil paintings and immersive public murals, and inspiration drawn from the region’s natural beauty, her cultural heritage and her world travels runs through her collections. She began her career as an independent graphic designer and worked closely with Anakeesta in its early years. She soon moved into fine art, illustration and mural work. Her “Wings of Wander” mural series has become a well-known local landmark symbolic of the Smokies.
“I met Medha in 2025 during an art showing I did at the gallery on West Harper,” Mistry said. “My friend Smita, who I used as my model on a series of paintings, invited her to the show. Medha and I have kept in touch since then.”
For her part, Karandikar remembered the meeting well.
“I had heard about Pinkie Mistry’s studio and art gallery from her aunt, but we actually met at the gallery reception for her exhibition of her wonderful portraits of a common friend of ours,” she said. “Pinkie had a large show of her work at the Clayton Center last year. This is my first one here.”
“We are artists, first and foremost, who find beauty in everything around us. Our styles are different, but the love of color permeates through our pieces.”
-Medha Karandikar
Karandikar said the two found common ground.
“We are artists, first and foremost, who find beauty in everything around us. Our styles are different, but the love of color permeates through our pieces. We talked about showing together after we had met, and I am so grateful to Pinkie for this show at the wonderful gallery at the Clayton Center.”
Mistry concurred. “Medha and I talked about doing a show together shortly after we met,” she said. “I think we have a bit of a whimsical, magical theme combined that makes for a unique experience. The fact that the Clayton Center is giving us this opportunity to showcase together is pretty amazing. I’m excited that we are finally doing it.”
Karandikar said she couldn’t be more excited. “An art show of one’s work is always an exciting event to look forward to, to plan and to install,” she said. “It is fulfilling to me personally, as it will be an opportunity for me to introduce my art and my three different art styles to the people of Maryville. Maryville is a rich and vibrant art community, and it is a privilege to be showing here.”
A self-taught artist working in multiple media and styles, Karandikar has had her work featured in several galleries in and around Knoxville, and it was displayed for 10 years at James-Ben: Studio & Gallery Art Center in Greeneville. Drawing is her strong suit, and vivid color is the hallmark of her paintings, which draw on her native India.
“My work is made up of lines and color,” Karandikar said. “Flowing lines and the vivid colors of my native India. The design elements from fabrics and sculpture, folk art and architecture from India are an unmistakable influence.”
Asked how she chose her work for this particular exhibition, she said she created new pieces exclusively for the show, three in the folk art style of western India. “The other three are women in their various moods,” she said. “I selected other pieces for their predominance of color. People, women, and nature are my themes in general.”
Mistry said she painted a new collection of watercolor mermaids specifically for the Clayton Center show. “It was a subject I had wanted to paint for a long time, so I was happy to finally do it. I also pulled some old pieces to show again. I wanted to show a few pages from my children’s book illustrations, since I had never displayed those before.”
As for what happens after the show comes down, Karandikar is open to whatever follows. “If sales and commissions follow, they are welcome,” she said. “I love to work on themes given to me for commissions.”
“It’s great to see so many artists in this area doing what they love,” Mistry said. “It’s been challenging at times. My career has changed throughout the years, losing clients and gaining new clients, going from graphic design to illustrations and murals. I’m up for any creative project that comes my way. I think that’s what’s helped me survive these past 21 years working for myself.”
An artists’ reception is set for Tuesday, September 15, at 5 p.m., giving visitors a chance to meet the artists and view the exhibition. The Clayton Center galleries are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and before and during Clayton Center events.
The Clayton Center is on the campus of Maryville College at 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville. For more information, call 865-981-8590 or email info@claytonartscenter.com.
