First Thursday

Art on display at The Artist Within Art on display at The Artist Within Art on display at The Artist Within Art on display at The Artist Within Art by Sally Myers, on display at Gallery 308 Art by Sally Myers, on display at Gallery 308 Painting by Eric Ernstberger, on display at Gordy Fine Art & Framing Muncie Makes Lab Muncie Makes Lab Muncie Makes Lab

The Artist Within
313 S Walnut

May at the Artist Within will feature the annual exhibit of work done by the Advanced Art Students from Muncie Southside and Muncie Central High Schools. Drawings, paintings, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture and more will remain on display from May 1 through May 31; several pieces are for sale.

An opening reception to meet the artists will be held during First Thursday May 1 from 5-8pm.  Light refreshments will be served and live music will be provided by Bryce Taylor.

The Fickle Peach (21+)
117 E Charles

Following the success of their past collaborative themed shows, Aaron Brunsman and Jarrod Case will be heading up a group show at Fickle Peach for May's First Thursday. The concept is simple. Participating artists must follow a common theme for their works to be displayed, and the theme is the only thing that is in common in the works. The artists can choose which media they prefer along with his or her approach to the common theme. The theme for this show is "Nudes". The opening will start at 5pm with refreshments and an artists meet and greet.

Gallery 308
308 E Main
Circles and Birds

An exhibit featuring artist Sally Myers opens First Thursday at Gallery 308 on May 1.  Circles and Birds is a collection of metal scultpures created from steel rings Myers found at a scrap yard in Muncie. The opening reception for the new exhibit will be held from 5 to 8 p.m.

Myers said, "I love everything about these rings - the uneven shape, the empty space inside, the opportunity to add objects at the top, bottom and sides, the material - steel - to which I can weld other steel shapes. I also like the fact that they can be displayed outdoors and develop a beautiful rust patina."

She added, "I make this work by working at a coal forge, heating the steel rods to yellow heat, then forming the pieces with a hand hammer or power hammer.  I cut the steel birds from steel sheets using a plasma torch.   There is quite a lot of magic in working with hot steel.  After you heat and bend the steel, even after it is cold, you can appreciate that it was once fluid and able to bend which I think of as 'remembering when it was hot'."

Myers retired from teaching art at Ball State University a few years ago and currently lives on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia with a dog, cat, and a few guinea fowl. Her work has been shown in exhibitions all over the United States including the 27th International Exhibition on Animals in Art, Earth, Wheel and Fire, the International Juried Ceramics Exhibition, and the International Juried Exhibition at The Herbst International Exhibition Hall at the Presidio of San Francisco, California.

Myers is also back in Muncie to celebrate the dedication April 30th of the three panel steel sculpture titled ” Growing through the Changes”, she created located on the  grounds  of City Hall. The sculpture was commissioned and funded by Gallery 308, its members and from major funding from the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County and donated to the City of Muncie and its residents.

The exhibit will be on display through May 30.  The gallery’s hours are Fridays 3-7pm and Saturdays from 12:30 – 5:00pm.  Admission is free.

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co.
224 E Main
Acrylic Energy Paintings

Muncie landscape architect Eric Ernstberger spends a lot of time with his head in the clouds. His work requires a “view from the top” of cityscapes, which he then helps design for ease of travel and beauty. It is not surprising to find that his day work influences his art, which he creates mostly at night. As the rest of his family sleeps, the artist applies copious amounts of acrylic paint to thick watercolor paper in swirls, streaks and cross hatches that become sunset deserts, African landscapes or lavender-lit interiors. One painting, titled, “Afar,” could be a modern take on the famous Monet water lily series. The artist delivers just enough; it is then up to the viewer to decipher the rest.

Art is a form of communication, after all, and tells a story that can only be told in that medium, at that time, by that artist. Ernstberger is deeply connected to the surface of our planet and sees it with eyes educated to know how humans interact with the hills, mountains, plains and waters of our world, for better or worse. His, “American Maelstrom,” delivers an ominous message via active strokes of red, white and blue with occasional merges into that welcomed benevolent lavender.  The artist points out that his work offers “intense abstraction or new perspectives on familiar subjects.”

Ernstberger will speak about his latest work, and answer questions during his opening reception on Thursday, May 1, 2014. The short talk will begin at 6:15 PM in the main gallery, and the public is invited.

The Heorot (21+)
219 S Walnut

Heorot will be featuring a drawing show with artists including Nick Jones, Elise Rodrick, Janelle Summers and Casey Parmerlee to name a few.

Ivy Tech Patterson Building
118 S Walnut – 3rd floor ballroom

Please join Dr. Amanda Latz, Assistant Professor of Adult, Higher, and Community Education, and the graduate students in the EDCC 641 course “Community Colleges and Diversity” at their Photovoice event. The Photovoice event is a participatory photo exhibition to be held on May 1, 2014 from 5 to 7 pm at Ivy Tech Community College’s Patterson Building, third floor ballroom. The Photovoice exhibition is the culmination of a research project carried out by six graduate students in the EDCC 641 course who worked with administrators and students at Ivy Tech Community College involved in LIFE STEPS, a federally-funded TRIO and student support services program that provides students with tutoring, counseling, and instructional services for student success. Through a process of providing six Ivy Tech students with disposable cameras, talking with the students about their photos, and analyzing the conversations to gain understanding about students’ experiences, the EDCC 641 class—in collaboration with Ivy Tech—has organized the Photovoice exhibition as a way to showcase the participatory action research. The exhibition will display the students’ photos, include refreshments, and serve as an interactive space for dialogue and reflection. All Muncie, Ivy Tech Community College, and Ball State University community members are welcome to attend and engage the students at this event. For more information about the EDCC 641 photovoice project, please visit the website or contact Dr. Amanda Latz at aolatz@bsu.edu.

The Living Room
130 W Jackson
Perilous

Artist Cassy Hoffine explains that "'Perilous' is a reminder of simpler times. When we were children, our imaginations roamed free. Now, adulthood overshadows the days of imaginative playing. Something that was once innocent and fun is too unpredictable: a child could get hurt if they are not protected from every risk. I photographed children in out-of-the ordinary situations, and the artwork is intended for an adult audience. Since every adult has some memory of being a child, the work juxtaposes their perspectives with the children’s."

Muncie Makes Lab
628 S Walnut

Muncie Makes Lab will have student work from multiple disciplines, but mainly CAP, featured in a gallery style. Students in an interdisciplinary studio have been working all semester to reopen the building into a gallery/workshop space.

Rose Court
125 E Charles
Cultural Narratives Through Photography

The Rose Court's guest artists for May will be the students of the "Design with Photography" class in the Landscape Architecture Department at Ball State University.

"Cultural Narratives Through Photography" is an exhibition celebrating the pervading spirit of place. Thirteen individual photographers present their work in series, exploring topics ranging from landscape, place, iconoclastic symbols, and the passage of time. The exhibition highlights the stories held within each subject, capturing these accounts through various photographic techniques. The photographic series will be on display in the central atrium of The Rose Court Building and will guide visitors through a journey exploring varying place and photographic media. Specific series address the “Unaltered Landscape,” “Building Blocks of America,” “Commuter’s Drive,” “Power of Sunlight,” and “Layers of the Trail.” The photographers present work in color, black and white, and photographic oil detailing. Materiality, depth of field, juxtaposition, lighting, and motion are just a few of the controlled variables explored. Please join the exhibitors as they celebrate investigation and artistry. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information or images, contact culturalphoto@gmail.com.

The Valhalla Room (21+)
215 S Walnut
Poetry Reading Benefit, Silent Art Auction, and 'Drinks and Draw'

Valhalla will be featuring an art event 'Drinks and Draw' an interactive installation where patrons are invited to create their own work and hang it on the display wall.

Also, please join us for an unveiling of our initiative on the evening of May the 1st at 7:30pm at the Valhalla Venue. Expect a night to remember filled with poetry, art and inspiration.

Included in the evening will be a Power of Words poetry reading benefit and silent art auction, which will raise funds to help inspire downtown by painting the well-known landmark, Dave’s Alley.

Poetry reading by various artists.
Artwork by various artists.
Music by pianist John Linburg.

Wine donated by J & J Winery.
Beer donated by Flat 12 Brewery.
Additional beverages provided by the Hereot.

All proceeds to go to The Power of Words.

Attending Poets: (more to come)
Angela Jackson-Brown- published poet, playwright and award winning author
Tom Chester –Award winning poet
Debra Gindhart Dragoo – published poet
Anna Adams - published poet
Daniel Stewart -An artist who loves to write and relate

Artwork on display for auction: (more to come)

Framed Photography on display by Erin Sadler Photography. Prints will be made available for resale by artist.
Debra Gindhart Dragoo, Britt Husman, Craig Mathis, Kyle Wardlow, Mandy Meyers, Daniel Stewart, Jenni Keith

Door prizes will be provided by published poet - Micah Ling

Settlement, a new collection of poetry by 2011 Indiana Emerging Author Award winner and occasional NUVO correspondent Micah Ling

Yart
Old National Financial Parking Lot
Corner of Walnut and Charles

The Spring 2014 Muncie YART will be held from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/1454615158108419

YART is a Yard Sale for Art! We keep the yard sale vibe going by having the sale outdoors and keeping all art priced under $40. YART began in Muncie, Indiana with students at Ball State University and continues to gain popularity in several U.S. cities. The Muncie YART is now held in Downtown Muncie, twice a year, Spring and Fall.

Muncie’s Spring 2014 YART will be held in conjunction with the May 2014 First Thursday Gallery Walk. YART is held in the Old National Financial lot on the corner of Walnut and Charles Streets in Downtown Muncie, Indiana. This community art sale,  with a goal of making art affordable and accessible to everyone, brings together artists and art patrons in a casual and unique setting.

All forms of art are welcome! Art of all kinds, by all kinds of artists! YART encourages interaction between artists and the community, hoping to make art more accessible, especially to those who think they cannot afford to buy art for themselves. To this goal, all YART art will be priced under $40!

Each YART Artist will be present throughout YART to meet the public, discuss their art, handle sales personally, and some artists will be making art LIVE at YART!

The Spring 2014 YART will feature over 50 artists with their beaded jewelry, soaps, photography, candles, buttons, oil/acrylic/watercolor paintings, fused glass art and jewelry, prints, knits for children and adults, screenprinted t-shirts, drawings, sculpture, lampwork glass beads, stuffed animals and dolls, clothing, digital art, baby booties, and mosaics; as well as the YART Hands-On Children’s ArtSpace, appearances by the acappella singing group Slyphs & Seraphim, the Cornfed Derby Dames, Muncie Burn Mob, the Blue Sky Carnival Band, Muncie OUTreach, and so much more! Fun for all ages - YART and the First Thursday Gallery Walk are for the whole family!

YART is still accepting artists! There is no cost to vend at YART, and YART does not take a cut from artist’s sales. Artists manage their own sales and need their own display. To become a YART Artist, please email Miss Moth here:  MissMoth@gmail.com

Like YART on Facebook by visiting https://www.facebook.com/pages/Muncie-Yart/156725934394407

YART is an all-volunteer/no-budget event and its organizer, Miss Moth, is very grateful to Cheryl Crowder of the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership for support and the donation of YART poster printing, Old National Financial for the donated use of their parking lot, and to The Artist Within for being great YART neighbors!