MHM is excited to announce that the Mobile Art Gallery received an Award of Merit for New Construction at the 2026 AIA Tennessee Design Awards.
Originally designed and built by MHM volunteers for PARK(ing) Day 2024 in partnership with Knoxville’s Arts & Culture Alliance, the Mobile Art Gallery began with a simple goal: bring local art beyond traditional gallery walls and directly into the community. Working with a budget of less than $500, the team created a modular, adaptable installation designed to maximize its usefulness well beyond the one-day event.
Constructed primarily from birch plywood, the gallery uses a flexible system of panels that can be quickly assembled, rearranged, disassembled, and stored. Its modular design allows it to function as a freestanding gallery, stage backdrop, space divider, or outdoor exhibition, with additional components serving as seating or pedestals for artwork. This versatility allows the Arts & Culture Alliance to continually adapt the installation for different artists, events, and spaces.
Sustainability and resourcefulness were central to the design. Rather than creating a temporary installation destined for disposal after PARK(ing) Day, the MHM team focused on developing a durable system that could continue supporting the Arts & Culture Alliance and its mission of connecting artists with the community.
“The constraints became the source of invention, producing a flexible exhibit system that brings art, dignity, and cultural access to broader audiences. It is a compelling reminder that architecture can be powerful, even when modest in size and cost.””
The AIA Tennessee jury praised the project for turning its constraints into opportunities for creativity, describing the result as a flexible system that expands access to art and demonstrates the impact architecture can have even at a modest scale and cost.
What began as a small volunteer effort has become an enduring platform for art, creativity, and community connection. MHM is honored to see the Mobile Art Gallery recognized at the state level and proud of the team members who volunteered their time and talents to bring it to life.