1,607 past events with the downtown tag

111 Arts Gallery 
111 E. Main
111 Arts Gallery will feature Vintage Tattoo Flash from Fort Recovery, Ohio and La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 E. Main
Artists participating in the First Thursday, Cornerstone Center for the Arts new monthly arts show, will be held in the Great Room on the second floor of the building at 520 E. Main Street on February 2, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Resident Artist Debra Gindhart Dragoo coordinated the initial First Thursday this year on January 5 which drew 20 artists pop-up booths (including several artists on Cornerstone’s staff) and 75 guests. In addition, a Cornerstone featured artist displays multiple works in the Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery next to the Great Room. This month’s featured artist is Anwar Ruhma Frazier whose a local acrylic and tattoo artist whose premier gallery show was hosted last year at in the Gallery. 

Local musicians will provide accompaniment. Community members are encouraged to call organizer Gindhart Dragoo at Cornerstone at 765-281-9503 EXT. 150. Gindhart Dragoo says “We believe it is important to encourage the creative paths of our artists, we also celebrate the youth who are creative artists in the community.“

Spots for pop-up artists are $10 per spot and extra tables are $5 each. Displaying Cornerstone staff artists include Nick Martin, Allen Leberteux, Leon and Laura Crosby, Eugene Boyd, Chaney Youngblood, Olivia Morrow, Shirley Jean Rice, and Ashton Baker. 

Debra Gindhart Dragoo visual arts educator, local artist, designer, curator and arts advocate will feature her Green Glam Studio jewelry for February First Thursday at Cornerstone Center for the Arts LOVE BAUBLES Valentine’s fancy sparkle earrings, pendants, and stretchy bracelets. GINDHART FIBER ART too, super soft and warm cowl neck scarves. She will have a selection of acrylic and assemblage art work pieces. Meet the artist. Second Floor/Great Hall

Cornerstone offers opportunities for creative expression for all with visual arts, dance, music, and martial arts classes. Cornerstone also provides community and rental spaces in a historic setting.  Thousands of area residents attend proms, wedding, corporate conferences and civic events at Cornerstone each year. Cornerstone is home to artists and art organizations including The Masterworks Chorale and Orchestra Indiana.  For additional information on First Thursday, art classes, rentals and events, please go to www.cornerstonearts.org or call 765-281-9503 EXT. 150.

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co. 
224 E. Main
Gordy Fine Art & Framing will be having an opening party for Conjure, Combine, Continue: Ceramics by Kimberly Anderson and Paintings by Scott Anderson, Thursday February 2, 5 – 8 pm. 

Kimberly and Scott Anderson are beloved artists in our area, making art and teaching art students here for over 25 years.  Gordy has represented their work for over 20 years and we are proud to highlight them in a new exhibit on Thursday February 2, 5 – 8 pm. Conjure, Combine, Continue implies the dedication and shear persistence of their artistic practice with works they have produced throughout their careers.  They will be on hand during the evening to engage with viewers and answer questions.  Light refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend. At 6:15 Scott Anderson will speak about his work

Kim Anderson is a Junior High Art Teacher at Jay County Schools.  She has a studio and kilns in Hartford City, Indiana, where she lives. Her art considers the intricacies of life and the environment. “I am influenced by two spheres of thought: the physical sciences and the human psyche. I find that science considers facts, and the psyche discloses the mysteries of life. I am not searching for truth, but for a secret.”

Scott Anderson is a Professor of Painting at Ball State University since 1995 and has exhibited professionally for the past 30 years. “My paintings attempt to show idea systems in conflict through a mixture of styles, surfaces, symbols, appropriated images, and forms that have been assembled into a contrasting visual stew.”

The exhibit will be on view with works for sale in the gallery and at gordyframing.com through March 11, 2023. 

Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company promotes talented artists, provides appraisals, restores antique frames, and offers expert design and craftsmanship for framing and displaying treasured family possessions and works of art. Business hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5:30 pm, Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm. Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company is located at 224 East Main Street, next door to Muncie Civic Theatre.  For more information, visit www.gordyframing.com or call 765-284-8422

Muncie Artist’s Guild
Various locations
Our Artist of the Month for the Muncie Artists Guild for February 2023 is Jennifer "Jennie" Irving. 

Jennifer Irving is a Delaware County resident. She started working in watercolor and acrylic painting in the past few years after retiring from her career in Massage Therapy. She has always enjoyed working with her hands and creating. For her 50th birthday, she decided to gift herself a watercolor course and supplies with local artist Cindy Norrick-Turner. Jennie found she really enjoyed the merging of the colors and results which could arise.  She loves working in a non-traditional style and likes alcohol inks and yupo paper for their magical movement and vibrancy. She continued to take various classes and explored mediums and techniques. 

Previous avenues of expression have included weaving, stained glass and jewelry making. She has a love of color and textures. An avid gardener, Jennie notices the shadows and structure in nature and finds joy and solace in natural flowing designs." 

Jennie will be displaying her work at the following businesses for the month of February: 

Northwest Bank, 110 E Charles St. Muncie, IN 47305
Old National Bank, 2401 S Madison St. Muncie, IN 47302
Parlour at Hazelwood Hair Salon, 1300 W University Ave, Muncie, IN 47303
Rosebud Coffee House, 1805 S Hoyt Ave. Muncie, IN 47302
Vera Mae’s Bistro, 207-209 S Walnut St. Muncie, IN 47305 

Muncie Makes Lab
628 S. Walnut
No Labels / Design is a Tool of Action / Architecture is a Verb is a broad and effervescent speculative-reservoir designated to undertake academic and professional] ventures related to modern reflections and contemporary works of spatial and cultural matters. The comprehension of envisaging the design discipline (architecture included) as a vigorous energy intends to spotlight the value of ‘construction’ -the tangible and/or the intellectual. That vigorous energy looks for architectures like processes of thinking and making, as well as it questions how those processes work in the global scenario of today. 

Current [team]work: Degrees of Certainties_ 
Pre-thesis inquiry and two images inspired the ephemeral-structures and conceptualizations exhibited, challenging some presumed, prescriptive notions such as suppleness and physicality among others, and their [possible] translations in the architectural world. 

Artwork: Ana de Brea
Curators: Tyler Renschen, Charlie Davis, Dillon Redding, Dylan Fruchey, Drew Pankey Wallace, Kaylor Mickle, Assumpta Nyein, Casey Stamm, Alana Kunkler, Ashley Totten, Kelsey Clady, Lauren Mullins, Nian Muang, Sofi Gallo, Autumn Patrick, Owen Wallace and Matt Welch.

3 great bands all with Muncie/Ball State connections. 

The Why Store

Pushing Daisy's Band

Mike Milligan & Steam Shovel

111 Arts Gallery 
111 E. Main
111 Arts Gallery will have the art of Ron Bias of Fort Recovery, Ohio on display for First Thursday. Ron was a tattoo artist in La Crosse, Wisconsin. After moving to Indiana in the 1980s, he made his art on tombstones since tattooing was illegal until 1997 in Indiana. Ron’s flash sheets from Dad’s Tattoo Shop will be on display throughout the month. 

Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 E. Main
Cornerstone Center for the Arts will again host local artists in conjunction with Muncie’s First Thursday. Resident Artist Debra Gindhart Dragoo is coordinating this event and has lured several local artists to participate during the past two First Thursday celebrations. March’s pop-up artist lineup includes Jill Palumbo, Angel Gillette, Tom Stader, Alyssa Carey, Christine Barber Bush, Val Kelley, Elizabeth Reichert, Kat Mesaros, Shannah Mesaros, Taunya Fallon, Melissa Moles, Maria Clifford Walker, Stephen M. Millben, Miranda Quakenbush, Crosby Family Art, Olivia Morrow and Dragoo. 

In addition, the Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery will display the works of Eugene Boyd, a noted ceramics artist who teaches at Cornerstone. Local electronic musician Arttacgo Alexander will provide music. “We believe it is important to encourage the creative paths of our artists, we also celebrate the youth who are creative artists in the community,“ says Dragoo. Those who want to participate should call Dragoo at Cornerstone at 765-281-9503 ext. 150. Pop-up artists are $10 per table with additional tables $5 each. For additional information on First Thursday, art classes, rentals and events, please go to www.cornerstonearts.org or call 765-281-9503 EXT. 150. 

Debra Gindhart Dragoo turns her Green Glam Studio Jewelry into a LOVE of ANIMALS collection of earrings and pendants. Debra chose a worthy Muncie non-profit to create for, Muncie Animal Care & Services. The dog, kitty, fish, etc. earrings and pendants are $20 each with 50% proceeds for Muncie Animal Care & Services. Debra loves supporting her community and the arts through creating, curating and advocating arts for children through adults. 5-8pm, 2nd floor, Great Hall

Cornerstone Center for the Arts offers opportunities for creative expression for all through community and rental spaces in a historic setting. Thousands of area residents attend wedding and civic events, in addition to taking classes in art, dance and music. Cornerstone is home to the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and The Masterworks Chorale. For additional information go to www.cornerstonearts.org or call 765-281-9503.

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co. 
224 E. Main
Gordy Fine Art & Framing party for Conjure, Combine, Continue: Ceramics by Kimberly Anderson and Paintings by Scott Anderson, Thursday March 2, 5-8 pm. 

Kimberly and Scott Anderson are beloved artists in our area, making art and teaching art students for over 25 years.  Gordy has represented their work for over 20 years, and we are proud to highlight them in an exhibit thru March 11.  Conjure, Combine, Continue implies the dedication and shear persistence of their artistic practice with works they have produced throughout their careers.  A portion of all sales of Scott’s paintings will go to support a BSU scholarship for upper level painting students. Light refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend. 

Kim Anderson is a Junior High Art Teacher at Jay County Schools.  She has a studio and kilns in Hartford City, Indiana, where she lives. Her art considers the intricacies of life and the environment. “I am influenced by two spheres of thought: the physical sciences and the human psyche. I find that science considers facts, and the psyche discloses the mysteries of life. I am not searching for truth, but for a secret.”

Scott Anderson is a Professor of Painting at Ball State University since 1995 and has exhibited professionally for the past 30 years.  “My paintings attempt to show idea systems in conflict through a mixture of styles, surfaces, symbols, appropriated images, and forms that have been assembled into a contrasting visual stew.”

Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company promotes talented artists, provides appraisals, restores antique frames, and offers expert design and craftsmanship for framing and displaying treasured family possessions and works of art. Business hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5:30 pm, Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm. Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company is located at 224 East Main Street, next door to Muncie Civic Theatre.  For more information, visit www.gordyframing.com or call 765-284-8422

Grace Episcopal Church
300 S. Madison
Grace Episcopal Church in Muncie is sponsoring an organ concert in coordination with Muncie’s First Thursday activities this March. All are welcome to attend this free concert:

Marilyn Keiser, organist
Thursday, March 2, 2023
7:00 p.m.
Grace Episcopal Church
300 S. Madison (corner Madison and Adams—next to classic McDonald’s sign)

Marilyn Keiser is Chancellor’s Professor Music Emerita at Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington, where she taught courses in sacred music and applied organ for 25 years.  Active as a church musician for nearly six decades, Dr. Keiser has recently retired as organist/director of music at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bloomington.

Muncie Artist’s Guild
Various locations
Debra Miller is the Muncie Artist Guild’s “Artist of the Month.”

Through my art I endeavor to express my feelings of joy and awe at the beauty of nature (including mankind) through the use of color and light. I am not tied to any particular technique. In a day and age that is centering on destructive elements, I hope to “remind us how to embrace this beautiful broken world once again with an open heart” (Terry Tempest Williams). Painting in the mediums of acrylics, watercolors, and oil paints allows me to build my color, light, and depth through layering, translucency, and value changes. 

Having received my BA and MA degrees (fine arts and education) from Anderson University and ISU respectively, I taught art in the South Vermillion School Corporation (and previously at Southwest Parke) until retirement. After retirement I taught art in Madison County and Jay County. These positions included kindergarten through high school art. These experiences impressed me with the pure joy that children have with the creative process itself and that you should paint what you love or what moves you. 

Active in the Wabash Valley Art Guild, I exhibited art in Terre Haute and surrounding areas, taking several ribbons. I painted two murals in the area: one was painted with a fellow artist at Union Hospital’s chapel and another was a panel section at the Saratoga Restaurant (both under the name of Bonness). I have done commissioned pieces in Vermillion County, Vigo County, and Delaware County. I am currently active in the Muncie Artists Guild and Alcove Artists. 

Deborah will be displaying her work at the following businesses for the month of March: 

Northwest Bank, 110 E Charles St. Muncie, IN 47305
Old National Bank, 2401 S Madison St. Muncie, IN 47302
Parlour at Hazelwood Hair Salon, 1300 W University Ave, Muncie, IN 47303
Rosebud Coffee House, 1805 S Hoyt Ave. Muncie, IN 47302
Vera Mae’s Bistro, 207-209 S Walnut St. Muncie, IN 47305 

Muncie Makes Lab
628 S. Walnut
Muncie Makes Lab will be showing the Muncie Central High School AP Artist Exhibition for March’s First Thursday. 

MCHS Art Teachers: Carol Daugherty, John McKalip
AP 2d and 3d Art students
Variety, inspiration, and youthful creativity are displayed simultaneously by the most advanced artists at Muncie Central High School. They have been working all year on a body of artworks for a portfolio in their AP Art Studio courses. Various media, subject matter, and driving questions are explored as students determine the focus for their artworks. Come see the talent and imagination of Muncie's AP art students displayed across the walls for this exhibition! 5-8pm

Special feature BSU Artist: Dominick Haskins, “Selected Works”
Feast your eyes upon the apocalyptic, war-felt, and cavernous meanings creatively exhibited for pleasure. "I, Dominick Haskins, am a Ball State senior currently student teaching at Muncie Central high school. I concentrate on two-dimensional art, with my primary media choice being charcoal, graphite, and Prismacolor. Proceed with caution when visualizing some artworks; skip details if you dare! Come with your minds open for interpretation!"

Ahead of its nationwide theatrical release, Muncie will be one of 20 cities (and the only in Indiana) to early screen The First Step, a 90-minute documentary film that follows political commentator Van Jones and the bipartisan coalition who fought to pass landmark criminal justice reform in 2018 (The First Step Act), which has allowed more than 20,000 people to come home from federal prisons. The first screening opened in late-February in New York City and will conclude in May in Virginia.  

Immediately following the Muncie screening on March 18th at Muncie Civic Theatre, The Facing Project co-founder and president, J.R. Jamison, will moderate an interactive local panel discussion on the themes of the film that include addiction, recovery, reentry, and criminal justice reform. 

Local panelists will include: 

• Jeff Hansard, Chief Probation Officer, Delaware County Probation;
• WaTasha Barnes Griffin, CEO, YWCA of Central Indiana;
• Dr. Ryan P. Brown, Medical Director of Addiction Services, IU Health East-Central Region;
• Kellie Arrowood, Community Member;
• Neil Kring, Pastor and Team Leader, Muncie Harm-Reduction;
• Sara Renee, Director of Muncie Folk and Team Leader, Muncie Harm-Reduction;
• Cory Matters, Social Worker, Clinical Therapist, and Certified Addiction Peer Recovery Coach;
• Dr. Jean Marie Place, Director of Community Research, Addictions Coalition of Delaware County;
• Ro Selvey, Muncie City Council;
• Jeff Stanley, Chief Deputy, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.

Tickets for the screening are $10 and available online or at Muncie Civic Theatre’s box office: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=167410.

There are a limited number of reserved seats for those who need financial assistance. Please contact J.R. Jamison (jr@facingproject.com) for details. 

More about the film can be found at: https://www.firststepfilm.com/. 

Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 E. Main
Artists participating in the First Thursday, Cornerstone Center for the Arts new monthly arts show, will be displaying their art in the Great Room on the second floor of the building at 520 E. Main Street on April 6 from 5-8 p.m.

Community artists/creatives displaying in April include Cornerstone Center for the Arts staff artists Eugene Boyd, community artists Crosby Family Art, Val Kelley, Jill Palumbo, Ronn Brown, Catherine Cox, Kat and Shannah Mesaros, Miranda Quakenbush, Willow Walters, Christine Barber Bush, Morris Gibbons, Debra Gindhart Dragoo, Angel Gillette, Tom Stader, Brenda McCoy, Shila Youngblood, Rock Art, Deb-Wand Love, Morgan Mercer, Monet Terrell Wright,  TKeyS Crafts and Creations, Sarah Herbert, Grace Longfellow, Tina Caines, Hallie Gick, Nathan Stotler and Maevyn Stone alongside her daughters and Olivia Morrow and  Resident Artist Debra Gindhart Dragoo, who coordinates First Thursday. 

This month’s featured Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery artist is Matt Blanchfield, a Cornerstone instructor. Local musician Katie Jo Robinson will provide accompaniment. Dragoo says “We believe it is important to encourage the creative paths of our artists, we also celebrate the youth who are creative artists in the community.”

Cornerstone offers opportunities for creative expression for all with visual arts, dance, music, and martial arts classes. Cornerstone also provides community and rental spaces in a historic setting. Thousands of area residents attend proms, weddings,23 corporate conferences and civic events at Cornerstone each year. Cornerstone is home to artists and art organizations including The Masterworks Chorale and Orchestra Indiana. For additional information on First Thursday,art classes, rentals and events, please go to www.cornerstonearts.org or call 765-281-9503 EXT. 150.

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co. 
224 E. Main
Gordy Fine Art & Framing opening party for Legacies: Pat Nelson and the Ball State Metals + Jewelry Program, 5-8pm. 

Gordy is proud to highlight the history and legacy of the Metals + Jewelry Program in the School of Art at Ball State in a new exhibit on Thursday April 6, 5 – 8 pm.  For nearly four decades, Distinguished Professor Pat Nelson led the program and mentored numerous students who are now forging their own careers as artists and educators.   The exhibition will highlight work by Pat Nelson, and Associate Professor of Art, Jessica Calderwood, who now leads the program, along with more than a dozen alumni who have successful careers in the arts.  The exhibitors will be on hand during the evening to engage with viewers and answer questions.  Light refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend. 

At 6:15 Pat Nelson will speak about her work and the decades long influence of the program.

The Ball State Metals Program was founded in 1961 by Ned Griner.  He brought Pat Nelson to continue building the program in 1979. Since then, she has been a major contributor to the arts community of Muncie, Ball State, and the larger art field through her art practice, teaching and professional service.  She has a long legacy of students who have successful careers as artists and educators.  This exhibition will feature her as an individual artist and her effect as an educator who built the Ball State Metals + Jewelry program that launches careers and attracts nationally important faculty and continues to thrive. Exhibiting alumni include Aimee Clinger, Amanda Bergman, Dana Fear, Emily Pellini, Guadalupe Navarro, Jakob Rosenberger, Lydia Fast, Natalie Lowe, Rebecca Zink, Stacey Webber, Taylor Fentz, Tessa Rickard-Carpenter, Paula Rice, and Andrea Jackson.

The exhibit will be on view with works for sale in the gallery and at gordyframing.com through April 29, 2023. 

Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company promotes talented artists, provides appraisals, restores antique frames, and offers expert design and craftsmanship for framing and displaying treasured family possessions and works of art. Business hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5:30 pm, Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm. Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company is located at 224 East Main Street, next door to Muncie Civic Theatre.  For more information, visit www.gordyframing.com or call 765-284-8422

Muncie Artist’s Guild
Various locations
Tom Heatherly is the Muncie Artists Guild’s featured artist for April 2023. Heatherly worked at Muncie Community Schools for more than two decades before retiring in 2011. Since that time, he has been pursuing his passion for oil painting. His hard work at honing his painting skills has paid off with success as he has won several awards for his paintings in the past ten years. In 2019 he won the Peoples’ Choice Award at the Muncie Artists Guild’s Annual Show.   

Heatherly prefers to paint people, landscapes, and buildings. His wartime experience also influences his artwork.  Heatherly is a Vietnam War Army Veteran who served in the 25th Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division from 1970 to 1971. He has created several paintings of soldiers in action from this time period. One of these paintings is proudly on permanent display in the Yorktown American Legion.  

Tom will be displaying his work at the following businesses for the month of April:
Northwest Bank, 110 E Charles St. 
Old National Bank, 2401 S Madison St.
Parlour at Hazelwood Hair Salon, 1300 W University Ave  
Rosebud Coffee House, 1805 S Hoyt Ave.
Vera Mae’s Bistro, 207-209 S Walnut St. 

Muncie Makes Lab
628 S. Walnut
Community, Collaborations, & Celebrations: Six Years of Studio 165+
2nd floor, 5-8pm
Coordinators: Maddy Burton, Kyra Morgan, and Prof Shantanu Suman
Studio 165+ is putting together our first-ever show to celebrate turning six years old. It will be a new experience for us because we are usually busy in our studio, burning the midnight oil, listening to our favorite music, and creating projects for our community partners. If you have ever crossed paths with us—knowingly or unknowingly—we invite you to check out the show on Thursday, April 6, on the second floor of Muncie Makes Lab from 5 to 8 p.m. The show will celebrate the collaborations with our local community that shaped our team and helped us make fantastic friends. We hope you will come and bring your friends and family to meet the faces behind Studio 165+ and help us celebrate Muncie.

Sarah Zimmerman  I Tried MFA thesis exhibition
1st floor, 6-9pm, with an artist’s talk at 7pm
I tried strips away the barriers of status and surface adornment in a humble effort to be seen without concealment of my flaws and failures of my present and past. What I hold to be sacred and personal is extended as an offering for mutual compassion and understanding. 

Additional viewing by appt or Mar 31-Apr 2; Apr 7-8 from 6-8pm contact IG:@sjz_artist

Muncie Map Co.
111 E. Adams
Muncie Map Co. will be hosting a wake to commemorate the death of its brick-and-mortar retail location. We'll have a big card on the front window for you to sign bidding MMC "not goodbye, but see you later!" Everything we have left (if we have anything left, including fixtures) will be DEEPLY discounted, we *might* have refreshments (if Andy can afford them), and he'll be leading a short Jazz Funeral parade around the block and back to the shop starting at 6pm. Come pay final respects and celebrate a now-legendary but ultimately impossible local retail storefront that still managed to survive longer than the Confederacy... take that, racists!

The Second Story Lounge at the Downtown Farm Stand
107 S. Mulberry
Join us, and local artists for a community jam during First Thursday (& every Thursday)!

To celebrate First Thursday, April 6th, we'll be offering an Arts Walk punch & sampler plates from our Menu. Stop in and enjoy craft cocktails, fabulous music, and amazing food in this hip, historic venue ~ a truly unique experience! We are located above The Downtown Farm Stand at 107 S Mulberry Street.  For more information, Click HERE

Celebrate your favorite Muncie memories and places by creating your own custom jigsaw puzzle and storage box.

Participants will create a digital collage using their own photos, images, or artwork and will use the sublimation printer to print and press your own 48-piece jigsaw puzzle and accompanying storage box.

Instructor: Lena Reid

Date: Saturday, April 8 | 4–6pm

Recommended ages: 16 through adult

Ages 8–15 may accompany a registered adult

Cost: $15

Scholarships are available to any individuals or families with a demonstrated need. Email Kyra Zylstra, Director of Initiatives and Partnerships, at kyra@madjax.org.

Learn the basics of using the Canva design platform, then create and print your own personalized stickers. Stickers can be used for hydro-flasks, laptop cases, phone cases, wall decor (they peel off easily), window clings, etc.

You may also bring original artwork, photos or create a hand drawn design to use on your stickers.

Instructors: Meghan Anacker and Olivia Ward

Date: Thursday, April 13 | 4–7 pm

Recommended ages: 13 through adult

Ages 6–12 may accompany a registered adult

Cost: $5

Scholarships are available to any individuals or families with a demonstrated need. Email Kyra Zylstra, Director of Initiatives and Partnerships, at kyra@madjax.org.

Learn how rain barrels can help contribute to a more sustainable local ecosystem, and learn to build your own rain barrel. Make a barrel and take it home ready to use.

There are two registration options for this workshop. Please make sure you choose the correct registration button for your preferred option below:

Barrel and Education only: You will receive a list of supplies to purchase on your own, plus a reclaimed barrel free of charge.

Barrel, Education, and Kit with guided instruction: For only $15 you will receive all the parts, the reclaimed barrel, and the on-site instruction to complete your kit during the event.

Instructor: Jason Donati, Stormwater/Recycling Educator at the Muncie Sanitary District

Date: Thursday, April 20 | 6–8 pm

Recommended ages: 16 through adult

Ages 8–15 may accompany a registered adult

Cost: $0 – Barrel ONLY, no parts kit | $15 – Barrel AND Parts Kit

Scholarships are available to any individuals or families with a demonstrated need. Email Kyra Zylstra, Director of Initiatives and Partnerships, at kyra@madjax.org.

Join your community and enjoy the spring Bridge Dinner above the White River. This event is free to attend and open to everyone. Local food and drink options will be available for purchase, or bring your own.

Also enjoy:
* Community tables to eat with neighbors, friends, and new acquaintances
* Live music
* Muncie items for sale
* One-of-a-kind view of the bridge, White River Greenway, and White River

Getting there:
There is easy pedestrian and biking access from the White River Greenway. Parking is available within walking distance at Tuhey Park.

Hosted by:
Muncie Action Plan, Shafer Leadership Academy, Muncie Downtown Development, Ball State Office of Community Engagement, Polcz Volbrecht Homes at RE/MAX Real Estate Groups, Ivy Tech Community College – Muncie, and Words with Jas.

With generous support from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County Inc., City of Muncie, and Woof Boom Radio.

Rain date is May 4.

Join Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning for a Design Thinking workshop that is specifically designed for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. This hands-on experience will help students tackle complex challenges through systematic, creative problem-solving. Come and learn more about how to think like a designer!

This workshop is offered in Partnership with the Ball State University R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning.

Instructor: Derek Bohm

Date: Saturday, April 29 | 10 am–12 pm

Recommended for students in Grades 6–8

Cost: $5

Scholarships are available to any individuals or families with a demonstrated need. Email Kyra Zylstra, Director of Initiatives and Partnerships, at kyra@madjax.org. 

Join us on April 29 for the 2023 Indiana Black Barbershop Initiative Health and Beauty Show!

Celebrate Black hair, and learn about managing your health risks through free blood pressure and blood glucose screenings provided by Open Door Health Services.

This event is being held in partnership with Open Door Health Services, Muncie Juneteenth Celebration, the Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative, and SteVen Knipp Hair Studio.

Vendor Callout! Health and beauty professionals are welcome to set up a table at no charge. For more information, contact SteVen Knipp at SteVenKnippHairStudio@gmail.com or 765-372-8090 by Thursday, April 27.

Using one of the oldest photographic methods, create your own work of art in cyanotype’s blue signature color. Using the sun, participants will create cyanotype photograms (or sun prints). Compose your own prints using local plants, foliage, found objects, and pre-made photographic negatives as inspiration.

Participants are asked to leave one print on loan to be featured in a two-week exhibition that will be on display at Madjax.

This workshop is offered in Partnership with the Ball State University R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning. Instructors have been chosen as a Ball State Madjax Fellowship.

Instructors: Jon Rees & Catherine Yong Hellsten, Ball State University

Date: Saturday, April 29 | 1–4 pm

Recommended ages: 13 through adult

Ages 8–12 may accompany a registered adult

Cost: $15

Scholarships are available to any individuals or families with a demonstrated need. Email Kyra Zylstra, Director of Initiatives and Partnerships, at kyra@madjax.org. 

Create paper mache sculptures of local birds from upcycled materials easily found around the home and local shops. Learn to appreciate the craft of sculpture and maybe notice the birds in your environment with greater appreciation.

Instructor: Aimee Maychack

Dates: Sunday, April 30 AND Sunday, May 7 | 3–4:30 pm

THIS IS A TWO PART WORKSHOP (Please plan to attend both sessions.)

Recommended ages: 12 through adult

Ages 6–11 may accompany a registered adult

Cost: $10

Scholarships are available to any individuals or families with a demonstrated need. Email Kyra Zylstra, Director of Initiatives and Partnerships, at kyra@madjax.org. 

Learn to use the Glowforge laser cutter in the Design Lab to etch a design into your own personalized, original bookmark—as well as copies to give as gifts and “plant” in local libraries as treats for others to find and treasure! Handwrite a phrase or create a drawing for the Glowforge to trace and etch.

Instructor: Molly Schaller

Dates: Wednesday, May 3 | 6–8 pm

Project pickup is Wednesday, May 10, at 6 pm, with an option to stay and embellish your bookmark. The instructor will provide more information about planting your bookmarks in library books at the workshop.

Recommended ages: 12 through adult

Ages 8–11 may accompany a registered adult

Cost: $5

Scholarships are available to any individuals or families with a demonstrated need. Email Kyra Zylstra, Director of Initiatives and Partnerships, at kyra@madjax.org.

111 Arts Gallery 
111 E. Main
111 Arts Gallery is a small local gallery, workspace, and functioning tattoo studio. With classical art, folk art, and 1920s style tattooing as a foundation, this gallery focuses on experimental, outsider approaches to art. We constantly have rotating exhibitions and just refreshed our west wall with new flash from our 111 artists. Open for tattooing during First Thursday from 1-8pm. 

Canan Commons
500 S. Walnut St.
Lighting Ceremony Announces the Opening of the “Rainbow Garden” at Canan Commons:

Community Enhancement Projects (CEP) and the City of Muncie are pleased to announce a public lighting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the “Rainbow Garden” lights at Canan Commons in Downtown Muncie. The ceremony will take place as part of May’s First Thursday celebration on May 4, 2023 at 8 PM at Canan Commons, 500 S. Walnut. Brief remarks will be made by Mayor Daniel Ridenour and representatives of CEP. 

The “Rainbow Garden” is a light installation designed to contribute a significant addition to the aesthetic landscape of Muncie’s downtown area while also providing necessary pathway lighting at Canan Commons. In brief, the eight light poles circumnavigating Canan Commons have been refurbished and repurposed to support a colored acrylic cylinder and LED lighting. Each of the eight cylinders are a different color, with progressive degrees of saturation from top to bottom. During the day, the sun will illuminate the colorful cylinders, while at night the cylinders will glow with color while also providing ambient lighting for the Commons’ perimeter walkway. Thus, the “Rainbow Garden” project is both an aesthetic installation as well as a functioning lighting system. 

The “Rainbow Garden” at Canan Commons is a project of Community Enhancement Projects (CEP), with design by Jeanne Zeigler. The mission of CEP is to foster through beautification efforts a cooperative environment wherein area citizens, government, industry, and organizations continue to enhance and improve our quality of life for today’s community and future generations. The “Rainbow Garden” project aligns with this mission by creating a beautiful, unique and significant addition to Muncie’s downtown landscape that will help to improve the quality of life for all residents of our area.

For more information about the “Rainbow Garden” and CEP, please visit www.cepmuncie.org.

Carrie Wright Silk Gifts & Gallery
405 S. Walnut, Suite 201
Silk painter Carrie Wright invites you to a special evening in her newly opened multi-purpose studio and gallery space! Sporting the best view of downtown Walnut Street, Carrie has turned the second floor corner of the Murray Building into a beautiful gift shop now open to the public. She's providing light refreshments just outside her door in the foyer for all who visit the Murray Building Open Studios and is offering a 10% discount on all non-framed items in the store during this special inaugural event!

The Clubhouse at Accutech
115 S. Walnut
Swing by The Clubhouse during First Thursday! 25% off digital game bay rentals, and a free side of popcorn with purchase! 

Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 E. Main
Cornerstone Center for the Arts will feature the work of popup artists, creatives, and music from 5-8pm on the 2nd floor!

Cornerstone’s feature artist for May’s First Thursday is Debra Gindhart Dragoo:
“BElow ART: Catching Colors” is the feature art installation by Debra Gindhart Dragoo at Cornerstone Center for the Arts May First Thursday 2023. Gindhart Dragoo is a local artist, visual arts educator, poet, curator, and community arts advocate. Embracing her skills with aerosol painting she has prepared this feature show in her style of spray can painter techniques. Debra proclaims that art reflects your inner story. You will enjoy vibrant colors of aerosol and acrylic paints together telling the stories of Gindhart’s vocal social commentary art. The paints are joined with techniques of collage and assemblage art. Debra’s GREEN GLAM STUDIO jewelry will feature wearable art red cardinal jewels. Perfect timing for BSU Graduation swiftly approaching. Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery, 2nd floor, 5-8pm

Music will be provided by Nash Hammond

Popup artists and creatives will include:
Christine Barber Bush, Julie Lephart, Trinity Moore, Taunya Fallon, Jill Palumbo, Melissa Stephens, Olivia Morrow, Morgan Mercer, Jennifer Chrich, Mary Hammond and kids, Sadie Kendall, Lauren Maines, Kili Krippenstaple, Takeya Searles, Sara Collas, Val Kelly, Heather Neal, Crosby Family Art, Tina Caines, Angel Gillette, and Tom Stader. 

Forever Young Children’s Boutique
125 E. Charles
Forever Young Boutique will be open for May’s First Thursday celebration. Forever Young is a local women’s, children’s and tween’s clothing store in downtown Muncie. We make it easy to stay up to date with current fashion styles and trends. New arrivals almost every week. We have a wide selection for Women, Tween Girls and Kids.

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co. 
224 E. Main
Brian Gordy, Watercolors: 
Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company will celebrate First Thursday with an opening reception for Watercolors by former owner Brian Gordy.  Brian’s paintings were last featured here in 2016.  Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend. 

"Brian Gordy's art will always enjoy a privileged place on the gallery walls here," said owners Barbara and Carl Schafer.  "Those who know his work will recognize his longtime concern for the natural environment and wildlife habitat."

Gordy paints with watercolor, preferring it to other kinds of painting because the thin transparent paint saturates the paper in different degrees to conjure the image.  In watercolor, the paper and paint become one, rather than layering up on a board or canvas the way oil or acrylic paints do. With skillful strokes watercolor paint migrates into the fibers of the paper and images emerge out of the white paper like the artist is a wizard rather than a painter. 

"I am known for paintings of turtles,” said Gordy.  “My interest in turtles started with the way I observed light playing on their shells. Increasingly I would appreciate their resilience in poor environmental conditions and how their presence can indicate the health of the ecosystem.  When I go into nature to look for them, I also find erosion caused by fast flowing rivers that have exposed root networks of different trees.  The intricacy I find there is endlessly mysterious both as a place that supports life and the compositions they offer me as a painter.” 

The exhibit will be on view with works for sale in the gallery and at gordyframing.com through May 27, 2023. 

Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company promotes talented artists, provides appraisals, restores antique frames, and offers expert design and craftsmanship for framing and displaying treasured family possessions and works of art. Business hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5:30 pm, Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm. Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company is located at 224 East Main Street, next door to Muncie Civic Theatre. For more information, visit www.gordyframing.com or call 765-284-8422

Grace Episcopal Church
300 S. Madison
Organ Concert at Grace Episcopal Church featuring Michael Messina, 7pm
The celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Grace Episcopal Church’s Pipe Organ continues with a recital by Dr. Michael Messina, Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, and Organist for St. Richard’s School. 

Michael holds MMus and DMA degrees in Organ Performance and Literature, as well as the Performer’s Certificate, from the Eastman School of Music, and was graduated magna cum laude with the BMus degree in Church Music from Saint Olaf College. He has competed in and won several local and national organ competitions. 

His program at Grace Church will include works by Calvin Hampton, Samuel Scheidt, G.F. Handel, J. S. Bach, and Felix Mendelssohn. All are welcome to the concert and reception following.

Grace Episcopal is located at 300 S. Madison St., Muncie (corner Adams & Madison – next to iconic McDonald’s sign). This program is free and open to the public.

Made in Muncie
313 S. Walnut
Conservation Tales: Corals and Coral Reef Ecosystem
ART 370 Art Immersive Spring 2023
5-8pm

Exhibition of artwork from the upcoming Conservation Tales books on Corals and Coral Reef Ecosystem in partnership with Mote’s Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration and the Indianapolis Zoo. Meet the team of illustrators, graphic designers, photographers, videographers, science storytellers, and Spanish translators who will be available to answer questions about the creative process; includes activities for children and book sales. Includes the premiere of the short documentary video “Restoring Our Disappearing Corals” created by director and editor, Faith Oakley.

Artists include: Brooke Ackerman, Rachel Baker, Abigail Clone, Britney Currie, Emma Everhart, Caecey Franz, Kami Geron, Alex Marshall, Annie Mowers, Faith Oakley, Kylie Owens, Karina Powell, Rae Rodabaugh, Emma Rybicki, Zoe Scherer, Nicole Thielmann.

Faculty mentors: Tom McConnell, Biology and Barbara Giorgio-Booher, School of Art

Muncie Artist’s Guild
Various locations
Pati Sparks is the Muncie Artists Guild's Artist of the Month for May 2023.
As a professional artist, Pati (Bell) Sparks specializes in portraits and landscapes in oil and pastel from her studio north of Sulphur Springs, Indiana, where she also teaches art privately. After a successful career as an mural artist in Indianapolis, she has returned to Henry County, where she lives in the Victorian farm house where she grew up. 

Art has been a large part of who Pati is from a very young age. She won her first award at age seven, and received her first portrait commissions while still in her teens. Her inspirations come in a large part from her passions for travel and people. She is a naturally gifted artist, developing her talent by studying fine art in various museums and galleries, and by experimentation. 

Her paintings have won numerous awards, including “Best of Show” in juried exhibits in Indiana and North Carolina. Her murals have been featured on the cover of national magazines such as Better Home and Gardens. She has been listed in the fine art section of “Who’s Who in Interior Design. Her murals may be seen publicly in such well recognized venues as James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, and Medical College of Georgia Children’s Hospital in Augusta Georgia, as well as Kona Jack’s restaurant in Indianapolis.  Her paintings and murals are part of numerous private collections in Indiana and the Southeast US. 

Pati will be displaying her work at the following businesses for the month of May: 
Northwest Bank, 110 E Charles St. Muncie, IN 47305  
Old National Bank, 2401 S Madison St. Muncie, IN 47302 
Parlour at Hazelwood Hair Salon, 1300 W University Ave, Muncie, IN 47303   
Rosebud Coffee House, 1805 S Hoyt Ave. Muncie, IN 47302  
Vera Mae’s Bistro, 207-209 S Walnut St. Muncie, IN 47305 

Muncie Makers Market
Corner of Walnut and Adams
First Thursdays with the Muncie Makers Market are coming soon!
 
The Muncie Makers Market is happy to be a part of Muncie’s First Thursday community events in Downtown Muncie! This is a popular local monthly tradition, going many years back, with all sorts of vendors, artists, and entertainers set up throughout Downtown Muncie. It’s a casual, relaxed evening outdoors, and we help to bring folks to the area. We are looking forward to a great turn out! 

Assuming good weather, the Muncie Makers Market will set up every month on the sidewalks by the corner of Walnut and Adams Streets for the 2023 First Thursday gatherings, and be open ‪to the public from 5-8p. The Muncie Makers Market is a registered farmers market featuring handmade creations, homemade foods, and locally grown produce and plants! We hope you come see us and enjoy a lovely evening with your community! 

All Vendors must register in advance - watch for the “Call for Vendors” posts on our Facebook group for all event details and to sign up to sell with us, thank you! 

Muncie Makes Lab
628 S. Walnut
Muncie Makes Lab will feature two shows from 6-8pm:

Special Topics: Neon & Light
The Neon artwork included in this exhibition is a result of the Neon & Light Special Topics class held each spring at the Glick Center for Glass. Within the class, students are asked to create both sculptural and sign-based neon. Students this semester include:  Derek Bohm, Anna Grabowski, Jessie Murawski, Michelle Pokorny, Arielle Birk, Michael Carson, Kaylee Demlow, Lyle Dotson, Hayly Oldfather, Karina Powell, Riley Taylor, Maddison Uphaus, Frankie Viglietta with SoA Prof Jon Rees.

GAPS and other acts of architecture
This elective explores the generative act of architecture through a series of lenses. Investigations take positions on technique, authorship, as well as translations between drawing and imaging, technology and craft, aesthetics and information- not necessarily in opposition but in dialogue. Final production of student-driven work will explore meaningful representation as the foundation for future design methodologies. Show includes: James Blankenberger, Georgia Cushing, Nicky Johnson, James Kohlmeyer, Mini Laird, Nian Muang, Assumpta Nyein, Seong Joon Park, Autumn Patrick, Nicole Pokorny, Lal Len Thang, Kayleigh Timmons, Shayla Tran with CAP Prof Janice Shimizu

Murray Building Studios
405 S. Walnut
Artists invite you to their inaugural Open Studios Reception! See behind the scenes in these historic second and third floor studio spaces where work from more than seven different artists from all mediums will be on display and for sale. Meet the artists and be sure to get your punch card marked from each as well as at Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co. to be entered to win a gift basket brimming with artful donations from the resident artists. Light refreshments will be served in the second floor foyer! Live music streetside! Don't miss this very special opportunity!

Vera Mae’s Bistro
207-209 S. Walnut
Vera’s is bringing back First Thursday Cajun Night! Featuring Fresh Oysters, Creole Stew, and other Cajun fixin’s. 

First Thursdays with the Muncie Makers Market are coming soon! 🌱 #ShopSmall #BuyLocal

The Muncie Makers Market is happy to be a part of Muncie’s First Thursday community events in Downtown Muncie! 🍃 This is a popular local monthly tradition, going many years back, with all sorts of vendors, artists, and entertainers set up throughout Downtown Muncie. It’s a casual, relaxed evening outdoors, and we help to bring folks to the area. We are looking forward to a great turn out!

Assuming good weather, the Muncie Makers Market will set up every month on the sidewalks by the corner of Walnut and Adams Streets for the 2023 First Thursday gatherings, and be open ‪to the public from 5-8p‬. 🌿 The Muncie Makers Market is a registered farmers market featuring handmade creations, homemade foods, and locally grown produce! We hope you come see us and enjoy a lovely evening with your community!

All Vendors must register in advance - watch for the “Call for Vendors” posts in our Facebook group for all event details and to sign up to sell with us, thank you! 💚

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627047027524961/       

First Thursdays with the Muncie Makers Market are coming soon! 🌱 #ShopSmall #BuyLocal

The Muncie Makers Market is happy to be a part of Muncie’s First Thursday community events in Downtown Muncie! 🍃 This is a popular local monthly tradition, going many years back, with all sorts of vendors, artists, and entertainers set up throughout Downtown Muncie. It’s a casual, relaxed evening outdoors, and we help to bring folks to the area. We are looking forward to a great turn out!

Assuming good weather, the Muncie Makers Market will set up every month on the sidewalks by the corner of Walnut and Adams Streets for the 2023 First Thursday gatherings, and be open ‪to the public from 5-8p‬. 🌿 The Muncie Makers Market is a registered farmers market featuring handmade creations, homemade foods, and locally grown produce! We hope you come see us and enjoy a lovely evening with your community!

All Vendors must register in advance - watch for the “Call for Vendors” posts in our Facebook group for all event details and to sign up to sell with us, thank you! 💚

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627047027524961/       

April showers bring May… plants! Come explore what plants need to grow. We will experiment with growing conditions including soil, music, lights, and water. Participants will be able to take home their own potted plants to continue their scientific exploration.

Instructor: Jenifer Pierce

Dates: Saturday, May 6 | 10 am–12 pm

Recommended ages: 12 through adult

Ages 8–11 may accompany a registered adult

Cost: $5

Scholarships are available to any individuals or families with a demonstrated need. Email Kyra Zylstra, Director of Initiatives and Partnerships, at kyra@madjax.org.