Fischman Gallery to Host Canceled FL3TCH3R Exhibit

Gallery owner partners with exhibit organizers to bring back the show after it was canceled by East Tennessee State University.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:23am

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The FL3TCH3R Exhibit, an international art show that was canceled by East Tennessee State University in 2025, has found a new home at the Fischman Gallery in Johnson City, Tennessee. Nancy Fischman, the owner and director of the Fischman Gallery, reached out to the Dyer family, the co-directors of the FL3TCH3R Exhibit, to offer her gallery as a venue for the show's 2026 edition after it was canceled due to backlash from the university's Turning Point USA chapter and local government officials.

Why it matters

The cancellation of the FL3TCH3R Exhibit by ETSU raised concerns about censorship of art and the influence of politics on artistic expression. By partnering with the Fischman Gallery, the exhibit's organizers hope to keep the show in the local community where it has been held for the past 12 years, allowing the public to continue to be exposed to socially relevant artwork from around the world.

The details

The FL3TCH3R Exhibit will now be held at the Fischman Gallery from August 7 to September 27, 2026, a slightly earlier timeframe than previous years. While the exhibit's premise will remain the same, with artists from around the world submitting pieces to be juried, the Fischman Gallery may have to limit the number of artworks displayed due to space constraints. The Dyer family and Fischman are committed to keeping the exhibit in Johnson City, where it has been an important part of the local arts scene for over a decade.

  • The FL3TCH3R Exhibit was canceled by East Tennessee State University in the fall of 2025.
  • Fischman reached out to the Dyer family in October 2025 to discuss hosting the exhibit at her gallery.
  • The 2026 FL3TCH3R Exhibit at the Fischman Gallery will run from August 7 to September 27.

The players

Nancy Fischman

The owner and director of the Fischman Gallery in Johnson City, Tennessee, who decided to partner with the organizers of the FL3TCH3R Exhibit to host the show at her gallery after it was canceled by East Tennessee State University.

Barbara, M. Wayne and Carrie Dyer

The family of Fletcher Dyer and co-directors of the International FL3TCH3R Exhibit, who worked with Nancy Fischman to bring the show to the Fischman Gallery after it was canceled by ETSU.

Fletcher Dyer

The founder of the International FL3TCH3R Exhibit, which has been held in Johnson City for the past 12 years.

Turning Point USA

A conservative student organization at East Tennessee State University that was involved in the backlash against the FL3TCH3R Exhibit, leading to its cancellation in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“I've been to most of the FL3TCH3R Exhibits in the past. It was kind of a shock to me when finally, after 12 years, there was some problem with the exhibit. I think it's something that came out of the current situation in the country. I strongly believe that censorship of art is wrong – it's absolutely wrong.”

— Nancy Fischman, Owner and Director, Fischman Gallery

“The side that overpowered finally felt like they could speak out and say whatever, even if it wasn't politically correct, and mount their challenge. I think the election had a lot to do with it because people became emboldened to do this.”

— Barbara Dyer, Co-Director, International FL3TCH3R Exhibit

“Being in the Appalachian region, we needed to bring art here. We needed to allow people here to be exposed to work going on in so many different places and to know the concerns that people have from a lot of different places out there.”

— Barbara Dyer, Co-Director, International FL3TCH3R Exhibit

What’s next

The Fischman Gallery and the Dyer family are currently accepting submissions from artists for the 2026 edition of the International FL3TCH3R Exhibit, which will be juried to determine the final selection of works to be displayed.

The takeaway

The partnership between the Fischman Gallery and the organizers of the FL3TCH3R Exhibit demonstrates the importance of supporting artistic expression and freedom of speech, even in the face of political pressure and censorship. By keeping the exhibit in the local community, the Fischman Gallery is ensuring that the public continues to have access to thought-provoking and socially relevant art.