December's First Thursday (full listing)

Olivia Willard at Cornerstone Center for the Arts Light up DWNTWN, Canan Commons Gordy Fine Art and Framing, Co. Mark Rosander at The Guardian Brewing Co. Dame Leo at Madjax Gindhart at Madjax Gindhart at Madjax Motivate our Minds at Madjax Muncie Makers Market Blues Jam at Valhalla

Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 E. Main
No Going Back, Featuring the Art of Olivia Willard:

Join Cornerstone Center for the Arts on Thursday, December 5 for the opening reception of No Going Back art by Olivia Willard. The reception will take place in the Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery on the second floor of Cornerstone from 5 to 7 p.m. in conjunction with December’s First Thursday events.

This mixed media collection draws inspiration from Willard’s early experiences in studying blind contour drawing and the process of fabric absorbing pigment. Wanting to capture the painstaking process of examining and capturing a subject all at once in another challenging medium, she began to explore stitchwork as it shares that “no going back” mentality. Willard loves watching the watercolor seep into a wet fabric and unpredictably stain it. This chaos is clarified with line work from one unbroken stitch on a sewing machine. Her favorite subjects are dream imagery and the human form. She has chosen to display the work in embroidery hoops so the viewer can clearly see how the fabric has absorbed paint, contrasted with the texture of the thread. The final product is a display of pigment and thread as vivid and wildly free as the unconscious mind.

Originally from Northwest Indiana, Olivia has lived in the Muncie area since 2006. She currently lives in Anderson with her Husband Zach and two children, Eloise (4) and Spencer (2). Olivia studied painting at Ball State University, but truly began her exploration of art at the age of three while taking classes at South Shore Arts. Having a lifelong passion for art and the unusual, she collects anything from strange old photographs and prints to doll parts. Olivia draws inspiration from her own journey of learning self-compassion, understanding the subconscious, and finding a place for bright saturated color in a bleak, grey state.

No Going Backwill be on display and open to the public in the Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery throughout the month of December.

For more information about the exhibition call Cornerstone’s Department of Education & Communication at 765-281- 9503, ext. 23 or visit cornerstonearts.org.

Downtown Development
Canan Commons
Light Up DWNTWN, powered by Indiana Michigan Power, will be held on First Thursday, December 5, from 5 -8 p.m. throughout Downtown Muncie. Galleries, restaurants and retailers invite you to spend the evening with them as we kick off the holiday shopping season.

The Community Tree Lighting ceremony will take place at Canan Commons (located in the 500 block of S. Walnut St.) at 6:00 p.m. Join us as Mayor Dennis Tyler, BSU President Geoffrey Mearns Charlie Cardinal and Santa Claus light up the holiday tree!

Experience the animated light show synchronized to music! The light show will be executed Thursday's-Sunday @ 6,7,8,and 9pm throughout December.

Muncie Community School's Elementary School Choirs will sing their Community Christmas Sing songs and lead the crowd in a carol or two!

Canan Commons will also be the location for the Holiday Makers Market, featuring nearly 50 artists in a heated tent.

Kiddie Express train will be running. Fire pits will be lit to keep you warm and concessions will be available.

For more information, please visit downtownmuncie.org

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co.
224 E. Main
Gordy Fine Art & Framing Company will celebrate Light Up DWNTWN on First Thursday, December 5th from 5-8 PM. Local art and gifts will be available for purchase with special sale prices on select Christmas ornaments, earrings, mugs, and shirts for one night only. 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.

Our gold photo op frame will be in the store for friends and family to capture portraits for the holiday season. Stop by and STRIKE a pose.

This event coincides with Gordy’s weeklong 40% Custom Frame Sale happening from Friday November 29, thru Saturday December 7. 

The Guardian Brewing Company (at Madjax)
514 E. Jackson
The Guardian Brewing Company will host an opening reception of Studio 418: Paintings by Mark Rosander.

Ivy Tech
345 S. High St.
Ivy Tech Community College will be open during December’s First Thursday until 8pm. Stop by to apply to the College, register for classes, explore program offerings, and tour the newly renovated John and Janice Fisher Building at 345 S. High Street.  Be sure to say “Hi” to Rudi Roadrunner at the tree lighting at Cannon Commons. We’ll see you on campus.

Let There Be Art
812 W. White River Blvd.
Let There Be Art invites you to visit and experience Open Studio!  Enjoy light refreshments while viewing our studio gallery, now featuring our holiday and winter selections!  Create a unique Christmas gift for your loved ones!  First Thursday Special: 10% off!  Open Studio is every Thursday, 12-8pm."

Madjax Muncie
515 E. Main St.
5–8 p.m. unless otherwise noted

The following artists and exhibitors will have work on display at Madjax during First Thursday:

5Chickens (NEW!)
Kevin and Susie Klinger are the makers behind 5Chickens, a luxury personal care products company featuring goat milk from their family herd along with essential oils and other quality ingredients. Pamper yourself with bar soaps, moisturizing lotions, oils, shave pucks, and more, or give them as holiday gifts. Learn more about 5Chickens and their products at 5chickens.com.

Beyond I CAN
Beyond I CAN is a creative day services program that creates opportunities and experiences for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities to explore through creative media in a fun, social environment. Stop by during First Thursday to view pottery, greeting cards, jewelry, holiday décor, and other gift items created by the program's Artisans.

Book Arts Collaborative
Book Arts Collaborative is an immersive learning course and student-managed business under the direction of Dr. Rai Peterson that offers Ball State University and community courses in letterpress printing, book binding, and collaborative opportunities for artist's book making. Students will be on hand to answer questions about the bookbinding process and to display their latest creations. Stop by and browse handmade journals, coasters, and holiday-themed items perfect for gifting.

Denise Broyles (Dame Leo)
Denise Broyles is having an open studio on the 2nd floor of Madjax. Come meet the artist! Broyles makes mixed media, repurposed “Angry Dame Art”.

GindhART
More social commentary artwork from Debra Gindhart, longtime local artist/artivist and visual arts educator. Debra has created WWJB(What Would Jesus Buy), a visual look at the consumerism that plagues our planet and feeds our landfills. Debra's December First Thursday exhibition will also include hand knitted loop scarves by GindhARTFiberART. Thick and soft fibers create wonderfully warm wearable art. Some of the yarns are hand spun. Native American Heritage natural stones by Green Glam Studio jewelry is also featured. Meet the artist and enjoy light refreshments.

It's a Wood Thing Penturning
Scott Wood creates pens and other items in his shop using all types of woods and acrylics. Purchase one for yourself or as a gift.

Motivate Our Minds Student Art Display

5:00–7:00 p.m. You are invited to Madjax to view and celebrate the hard work and progress made over the fall by the students of Motivate our Minds', "We Think It, We Make It" club and community volunteers. Come see finished projects and meet the MOM students who will be working on future projects.

Smoke River Pottery
Stop by Smoke River Pottery to view and purchase unique and functional pieces by artists Spencer Davis and Rachel Stahlke. Dishware and decorative pieces for the home will be on display and available to purchase.

Tribune Showprint
Tribune Showprint, America's oldest continuously operating print shop, will be open during First Thursday with prints, stationery, and holiday items for sale. Tribune Showprint designs and produces hundreds of made-to-order posters for concerts, sporting events, festivals, and carnivals one letter at a time. A wide variety of ready-made posters, notecards, and holiday-themed items are for sale.

Muncie Makers Market
Canan Commons
The Muncie Makers Market will again join Light Up DWNTWN on Thursday, December 5th from 5-8p at Canan Commons in Downtown Muncie! The Muncie Makers Market has our Annual Holiday Gift Market filled with local artisans in a HEATED tent on PAVEMENT right by the Community Tree! The Muncie Makers Market is a community farmers market with fresh homemade food, locally grown fruit and vegetables, fresh and dried herbs, live plants, beautiful art, and handmade gifts of all kinds - and we’ll be cozy in the big tent all evening! 
 
Light Up DWNTWN, powered by Indiana Michigan Power, and sponsored by the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, features the Community Tree Lighting ceremony led by Mayor Dennis Tyler, Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns, Charlie Cardinal, and Santa Claus! The Market’s tent is next to the Community Tree, on Walnut Street which will be closed to vehicle traffic, with FREE ADMISSION. There will also be an animated light show synchronized to music, Caroling, the Kiddie Express Train, Fire Pits, and more! This is a HUGE Muncie tradition, be sure to bring your family!

Shop with these wonderful LOCAL Growers and Makers for all of your holiday gifts:

* The Pie Lady
* JE Jewelry Works
* Round Rock Farm
* Mellia’s Sweet Doggy Treats
* None of Your Beeswax
* Tina’s Tarts
* Squid Ink
* Apple Dumpling Gang
* Tall Parakeet
* Flaneur
* Vulture Culture Aromatherapy
* Through the Screen Door
* The Silver Lining Gemstones
* Ashanti's Garden
* TransAtlantic Treasures
* The Lottie Series by Dana Brown Books
* The Bearded Baker
* Jill Palumbo’s Art
* Curry’s Sweets & Treats
* Muncie Map Co
* Northern Tropics
* Hustle Humble
* Karret Family Farm
* Victorian Apothecary
* Mindy's Crocheted Creations
* Li’l Shop of This & That
* MTJ Jersey Dairy
* The Lazy Housewives
* HealThy Self Snacks
* Ashcraft Creations

Sponsored by the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, THANK YOU!

Muncie Makes Lab
628 S. Walnut
Monsters of the Midway - new dormitory ideas situated along the historic Midway at The University of Chicago. Thirteen unique proposals by 3rd year architecture students from the College of Architecture and Planning. The context for the proposed new designs would be along the historic Midway at the University of Chicago. Originally designed for the Worlds Columbian Exposition in 1893 by Frederick Law Olmstead, the Midway parkway is home to the south edge of the University of Chicago and new emerging architecture including the future Obama Presidential Center. The exhibition includes drawings, design diagrams, and 3d printed models of the students’ proposed structures. All are welcome, including high school or middle school students who might have an interest in pursuing a future in architecture and design.  5-8pm

Valhalla  (21+)
215 S. Walnut
Valhalla presents “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!