MTSU College of Liberal Arts
March 3, 2026
oday we were honored to present the MTSU Arts Hall of Fame Award posthumously to James Gibson.
Gibson taught at Middle Tennessee State University for 29 years, from 1970 to 1999. During that time, he shaped generations of students, encouraging many to pursue graduate study and careers in the arts. He believed his teaching and creative work were inseparable, once sharing, “When my teaching goes well, my sculpture goes well.”
The award was accepted by his wife, Bette Gibson, and his son, Derek Gibson, who joined us for the ceremony. Their son Eric Gibson was unable to attend but remains an important part of the Gibson family’s legacy.
We are grateful to celebrate a life devoted to students, scholarship, and artistic excellence.