November's First Thursday (full listing)

Jacinda Russell, "Thunderbird Motel, Marfa Texas," The Atrium Gallery Ryan Sparrow, "Che Mural," Book Arts Collaborative Marvin Groves, "Lion Jumping," Cornerstone Center for the Arts Linda Riedel Ellis, "Blooming Pink," The Fickle Peach Holiday Showcase, Gordy Fine Art and Framing Sale and Truffle Release at Queer Chocolatier Jeff Bracket, ""Life's Patterns," Savage's Alehouse David Zeiler, "The Magic of Madness," Studio Exhale Michelle Duran, "Sugar Skull Demo and Decorating," Twin Archer Brewpub "Blues Jam" at Valhalla

The Atrium Gallery
Arts and Journalism Building, 1st floor, Ball State University campus

Jacinda Russell: Autobiography in Water
The Ball State University School of Art Atrium Gallery will have extended hours for November’s First Thursday from 5:00pm to 8:00pm for Jacinda Russell’s exhibition “Autobiography in Water.”

From November 1-11, 2017, the Atrium Gallery proudly presents a solo exhibition of Russell’s series of artworks, which were completed during her sabbatical leave of spring 2016, as well as related work that ranges from 2013-2017. Russell will conduct a Gallery Talk at 5:00 p.m. during the 4:00-6:00 p.m. opening reception on November 2.

In her artist’s statement Russell states, “Autobiography in Water depicts water as a source of renewal, leisure, tradition, longing, helplessness and fear, as well as a delineator of space and the passage and suspension of time. It is site-specific, and since July 2013 it has required extensive travel throughout Texas, Idaho, the Pacific Northwest, California, Arizona, Florida, the Canadian Rockies, Iceland and New Zealand. The artworks depict the places I took for granted before moving to the Midwest and those where one visit altered the course of the future. They also include the unknown, those sites for which I yearn, where my story is yet unwritten. The pools, rivers, lakes and oceans offer continuity and familiarity in an effort to connect me to the locales that I long to call home.”

To fulfill her sabbatical requirements Russell performed two artist-in-residencies. She spent March 2016 at Playa in Summer Lake, Oregon and May 2016 at Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts in Brush Creek, Wyoming. The locations visited in spring 2016 to complete the series were: 17 days driving from the northernmost point of the North Island to the southernmost point of the South Island on her fifth trip to New Zealand, and visits to the locales of Lake Tahoe and the Arizona Inn in Tucson were also included.

Russell is an Associate Professor of Art and teaches in the School of Art Photography / Intermedia area.

The School of Art Atrium Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturdays 1-4 p.m.

Book Arts Collaborative (at Madjax)
600 E. Main

“Return to Cuba: Photographs by Ryan Sparrow”
“Return to Cuba: Photographs by Ryan Sparrow” will be on view throughout the month of November at Book Arts Collaborative. Come by during First Thursday to check out the work on view and buy some photographs and other gifts at reasonable prices. Sparrow has led several photographers on tour of Cuba since its borders opened to US citizens in 2016. An accomplished photojournalist, Sparrow will show and sell his work on the walls of Book Arts Collaborative in the Madjax building throughout the month of November. Proceeds go entirely to the artist.

Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 E. Main

Cornerstone Center for the Arts will be open from 5-8pm on First Thursday for a viewing of wildlife photography by Marvin Groves.

While Groves continues to stay very much engaged in all photographic styles, he has developed a love of nature and wildlife photography. He has produced many award-winning images throughout his travels. His photography includes but is not limited to: wolves in Minnesota, wild horses in Wyoming, and many varieties of smaller animals. He has traveled to Alaska to capture images of Black, Grizzly, Brown and Kodiak bears.  In 2016 he journeyed to the Arctic on a Russian Icebreaker to photograph Polar Bears, walrus and seals. As exciting as all these opportunities have been, none compare to his 2017 trip to Tanzania, Africa where he photographed all the big cats plus elephants, gazelles, giraffes, several species of birds and so much more.

On Wednesday, November 1s at 5:30pm in the Cornerstone Art Gallery on the second floor, Groves will give a special photography presentation. Groves will project his photography onto the big screen in the E.B. Ball Auditorium at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. He will share the tales of his travels to Africa and firsthand experience in capturing these majestic creatures on film.

The Fickle Peach (21+)
117 E. Charles

The Fickle Peach will host an exhibition of photography by Linda Riedel Ellis. Riedel Ellis is a third generation photographer living in Daleville and has been doing photography for 41 years, starting at Highland High School on a yearbook and newspaper staff. After graduation, she continued photographing weddings, seniors, sports teams, Saint John’s Hospital, Community Hospital, Anderson Christian School, North Anderson Church, Travis Construction, commercial work, and has won many awards.  Her father, Harvey Riedel, is a well-known photographer from Anderson Indiana that taught her how to become successful with photography. His work can be seen on YouTube.

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co.
224 E. Main

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Company will open its Holiday Art Showcase on First Thursday, November 2nd from 5-8 PM. A feast for the eyes, the Holiday Art Showcase offers works of art by more than 25 East Central Indiana artists as dozens of drawings, jewelry, paintings, prints, and pottery pieces fill the gallery. Carl and Barbara Schafer will introduce the show during a brief talk at 6:15. The event is open to the public and light refreshments will be served giving customers the opportunity to buy unique objects created by local artists for holiday decorating and gift giving.

Prices range from $1 to $2,000, with most falling between $30 to $200. From whimsical “Funcie” signs and shirts to handcrafted mugs and plates. Paintings capturing Indiana’s rural landscapes in various media to handbound journals and letterpress cards.

“The Holiday Art Showcase is a great opportunity to find unique holiday gifts with a connection to the city we live in,” says Gordy owners Barbara and Carl Schafer. “Often our customers are shopping for friends who have moved away from Muncie, or for their grown children who need something special to remember their hometown.  Useful things such as mugs, bowls, and t-shirts are popular since they are used every day.”

The show will run through December 31st. New works will be added throughout the holiday season to replace things that are purchased and removed.

Grace Episcopal Church
300 S. Madison

It’s getting cooler but the music is still hot. Singer, songwriter, and guitar player Bryce Taylor will be performing at 7:30pm at Grace Episcopal Church (corner of Madison and Adams). Taylor is a local musician who enjoys playing in intimate settings like house concerts. Come and enjoy an awesome evening with great music and a really nice reception that follows the concert.

Harmony Café and Studio
112 W. Jackson

Please join Harmony Studio and Cafe and High Street United Methodist Church for a special dance performance on the corner of Walnut and Jackson from 6-7:30pm. Several performers will be doing salsa dancing and others will hand out flyers to promote a fundraising dance for Puerto Rico on November 12th at High Street United Methodist Church.

The Queer Chocolatier
405 S. Walnut St. Suite 204

Queer Chocolatier is a new, local queer women-owned chocolate shop selling chocolate truffles and a line of art pieces for the home called Homo Décor. Owned by Morgan Roddy and Cheri Ellefson, Queer Chocolatier crafts chocolate truffles in both classic (with dairy) and vegan (non-dairy) options. Truffles as well as Homo Décor items can be purchased at our website: www.queerchocolatier.com or at our retail location. For November’s First Thursday event, we will have new Homo Décor pieces available as well as feature the release of our truffle flavor of the month: Hazelnut Crunch.

Savage's Ale House (21+)
127 N. High

Savage’s Alehouse will host an exhibition by Jeff Bracket titled “Life’s Patterns.” Brackett is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Ball State. His freeform, pattern-heavy, artwork aims to transform life’s often-elusive patterns into “tangible ones,” filled with tensions between simplicity and complexity, as seen in this series of ink drawings.

Studio Exhale
103 N. High St.

Studio Exhale will host an exhibition titled “The Magic of Madness” by David Zeiler. Zeiler is a local mixed-media artist that includes acrylic, pencil, pen & ink, and 3-D. Subject matter of his works range from dinosaurs and Harry Potter to mental health issues and horror. Fine art has become his passion and therapy, helping him deal with PTSD from his time in the Marine Corps.

Twin Archer Brewpub (all ages)
17 W. Charles St.

Day of the Dead Sugar Skulls Demo and Decorating
Dr. Michelle Duran, a specialist in Mexican Art, will be setting up an altar for Day of the Dead (which is on First Thursday!). She will also have blank sugar skulls for kids and adult to decorate (all materials provided) and take home. (Sugar skulls are traditionally made for Day of the Dead.) Come learn about Mexican art and traditions and make your own Day of the Dead skull!

Valhalla  (21+)
215 S. Walnut

Valhalla and The Heorot present “Blues Jam” every Thursday. “Blues Jam” is an open event with sign-up starting at 7pm and music from 8-11pm. Come show us your talent!