Arts Walk 2012

Experience the arts in Downtown Muncie at this year's ArtsWalk on Thursday, October 4th from 5:00 – 9:00pm in the streets of Downtown and in Canan Commons.

ArtsWalk will feature live entertainment such as music ensembles from Ball State University and America's Hometown Band, the YART sale featuring local works of art for under $40, and performances by Muncie Ballet Studio, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Muncie Civic Theatre, Ancient Arts Dancers, and more. Downtown art galleries are kicking off new exhibits, and there will be a kids area for activities and creative fun.

The event will also feature street performers, a Soup Crawl at various locations, dinner and drink specials at local restaurants and establishments, community information featuring arts and culture partners, artisan booths, and more. Detailed maps will be available at the event throughout downtown.

The spotlight of the event will be a ceremony celebrating the Grand Opening of the Canan Commons beginning at 7:15pm. The ceremony will feature guest speakers including the Mayor, music from America's Hometown Band, and a special pyrotechnics display and other entertainment to celebrate the opening of the new park and entertainment venue. The Grand Opening is presented by the City of Muncie, Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, and Muncie Arts and Culture Council. The event is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County. 

Please join Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, Muncie Arts and Culture Council, Ball State Music Department, and all of the local galleries, artisans, and downtown businesses to celebrate the rich culture of arts and entertainment.

111 Arts Gallery
111 E Main

Work by artists Malik, Brad Brunsman, Stephanie Hutchinson, Amanda Lentine, Nate Harmon, Sofielsa Harmon, Hector Cedillo, Sean King, Brant Dailey, Elyssa Christensen, and Alexa Camacho.

The Artist Within
“2 burris OWLS & A freeburg MIDGET (*W/mad art skills)” - 313 S Walnut

Work by artists Debra Dragoo, Kara DuQuette, and Michael DuQuette in a collaborative exhibit of art dolls and wall art with music by Bryce Taylor.

The Artist Within will also feature demonstrations of throwing on the potter’s wheel with resident potter Toren Scott and representatives from the BSU Ceramics Department and their Potters’ Guild.

Cortex
Sticks and Stones - 112 W Jackson

Work by Sticks And Stones, a collaboration between mixed media artists Taylor Fentz and Dustin Davis. This artisan team uses a variety of materials such as bone, stone, wood, and metal to create an array of handmade crafts ranging from jewelry to pipes to weapons. The inspiration behind their creations comes from nature, primitive cultures, and a common background of Native American ancestry and tradition, all mixed with an artistic twist and a dash of fantasy. Visit http://sticksandstonesdt.etsy.com for more information.

Also at Cortex:

• Music by Mike Martin
• Performance by Freakshow Foley
• Jewelry by Jill Palumbo
• Sculptures and other art by Kate Titus
• Paintings by Ben Bryantt
• Jewelry and painting by Sarah Hedges
• On-site caricatures by Mike Fentz

Gallery 308
308 E Main

Work by 2012 Paper Chase Show "Best in Show" winner Ann Johnson. “There is So Much I Want to Say to You” is a collection of pictures Ann has painted since she sold F.B. Fogg in 2008.

What began as desire for watercolor paper which led her, as a young mother to take the first mixing of lint from her dryer to form an early handmade paper, blossomed into a 24-year career as handmade paper artist F.B. Fogg.  According to Johnson, “In my not so- quaint past, I took  paper further than it should go… clocks sold in every state in the union, sculptures in 14 countries, and enough golden retrievers  to form an avalanche of paper.  Then I sold Fogg.  When you experience loss or change, you surprise yourself.  Sometimes what matters is not what one gives, but what one gives up.  Now, I have returned to my 'roots', so to speak, and am once more a painter, a colorist.  So painting is a delight for me and best yet, I paint only to enjoy the art.  What a delightful time I am having!"

Gallery 308 will also be hosting art making activities for all ages with aerosols, chalk, and the ever-popular squirt gun painting. Across Main Street, members of the BSU FreshstART group and other local artists will be "chalking the block". Be sure to check out their art!

In case you miss the gallery opening, the exhibit continues through October 26. The gallery is open Wednesdays through Saturday from 12:30 – 5:00pm.  Admission is free.

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co.
10 Year Gallery Anniversary - 224 E Main

Ten years ago, Brian and Genny Gordy realized a dream by turning their oversized frame shop showroom into a legitimate art gallery. The Boyce Block space already offered high ceilings and hardwood floors, and underneath layers of wallpaper, a stunning plaster wall, authentically distressed by the centuries. A nifty hanging system was installed to protect that wall, and a gallery was born. The first artist was Gala Bent, who had worked for the Gordy’s while attending Ball State University as an art major.  The opening reception was held on the first Thursday in October 2002.

The Gordy’s – also graduates of the BSU Art Department – had a vision about fine art, fine handcrafted picture framing, and the downtown Muncie art scene. They were certainly not alone in that vision, and a decade later, “First Thursdays” is a term that seldom needs explanation. Scores of art lovers mark their calendars to visit various gallery spaces downtown for an evening of exhibits of mostly local works that include oil paintings, watercolors, prints, jewelry, and a robust selection of pottery. Music is often a part of that scene, running the gamut from tuba ensembles to drum circles.

“It is fulfilling,” offers Brian Gordy, “to live in a town that embraces its art and artists, not only by showing up at the various exhibits, but by collecting works by those artists, many of whom are recognized far beyond the boundaries of Delaware County.” The Gordy gallery represents twenty two local and regional artists.

The owner himself will be the exhibitor on the wall for the month, opening during the annual ArtsWalk event on October 4, 2012. Designated an Indiana Artisan artist, Gordy has won numerous awards and is included in galleries beyond his own. For this show, titled, “Recent Watercolors,” twenty new paintings with varying subjects will be hung, including complex compositions with intense colors and the first of a new series. The new pieces are semi-abstract images inspired by roots, riverbanks and reflective waters, and will hang alongside the final pieces of a turtle series the artist has been painting for the past seven years. States Gordy, “I consider these five images to be the most challenging and aesthetically successful of the turtle series. They also mark its conclusion.”

The evening’s agenda includes a short talk and introduction of artists at 6 PM, “Meet and Greet the Artists,” and photo op. “For any contribution, guests may have a picture taken with one of the artists.  Greg Harty and Jack’s Camera Shop are donating services for this fun event, the proceeds of which will go to the 2nd Harvest Food Bank,” Genny explains. “They are doing The Soup Crawl again during ArtsWalk, and we wanted to help with their mission. We thought this would be a memorable way for the artists and the gallery to give back to the community that sustains us.”

Visitors may also register to win a $200 gift certificate for custom picture framing during the 5 to 9 PM time frame. For children, there will be a “Fill in the Famous Frame” coloring sheets.  Music will be provided by Mike Statler, also of Jack’s Camera Shop.

“We started a gallery because it was an important aspect of our personal “ideal community” concept. That others are encouraged by our efforts is the icing on our anniversary cake,” offers Genny.

ArtsWalk Agenda at Gordy Fine Art 2012:

• 5 PM – Exhibit, “Recent Watercolors,” opens
• 6 PM - Genny will give a short talk and introduce the artist, Brian Gordy and other GFAF artists
• 6:15 to 7 PM - Meet and Greet artists and photo op for a donation to be given to 2nd Harvest
• 8 PM - Drawing for $200 gift certificate for picture framing (need not be present to win)
• All evening - Fill in the Famous Frame Coloring sheets for Children and Interested Adults
• 9 PM – Closing
• Intermittent:  Woody Statler live music

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co. is located at 224 E. Main Street, next door to Muncie Civic Theatre.  For more information, call 765-284-8422 or visit http://www.gordyframing.com.

Muncie Civic Theatre
216 E Main

Work by artist Susie Burns.

Rose Court
125 E Charles

The photography of Jennifer Smith and Andrea Swartz.

Jennifer Smith is a retired business professional turned camera junkie who uses the photographic lens to learn about, view and document her travels.

Andrea Swartz teaches in the Department of Architecture at Ball State University.  Her photographs explore our built environment and its relationship to place, time and people. Both have had work accepted in juried shows and received awards.

Savage's Ale House
127 High St.

Work by artist Jannell Summers.

Yart
Canan Commons

Yart is a yard-sale-styled art sale that has been a Muncie tradition for many, many years. All art is created by local artists and each piece is available for sale for $40 or less.