February's First Thursday (full listing)

Mary Beth Reinhard at Cornerstone Center for the Arts Dame Leo at Madjax, 2nd floor Gindhart at Madjax, 2nd floor Gindhart at Madjax, 2nd floor "Our House: Muncie Fieldhouse, a community gathering place" at Gordy Fine Art and Framing, Co. Michael Eldon DuQuette at Muncie Makes Lab Michael Eldon DuQuette at Muncie Makes Lab Spiral Bound Fine Art at Muncie Map Co. Blues Jam at Valhalla

Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 E. Main
Where the Wild Things Are, Featuring the Art of Mary Beth Reinhard:
Join Cornerstone Center for the Arts on Thursday, February 6 for the opening reception of Where the Wild Things Are featuring the photography of Mary Beth Reinhard. 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 February’s First Thursday events.

Where the Wild Things Are, is a collection of North American animals found in their natural environment. Giving the animals the respect they deserve allows Reinhard to get close enough to develop a relationship with each animal which is often displayed in her images. From the vulnerability of the Deer, wisdom of the Raven, and rugged majesty of the Moose, it’s almost impossible to look at these images without feeling a connection to the featured creature. 

Every animal on our wild planet has its own distinct personality. The objective of Reinhard’s photography is to capture the personality of each animal as observed in the Wild. With a deep respect for wildlife, she often sits in awe of the many creatures which surround us. 

Mary Beth Reinhard, an Indiana native, has had a passion for the great outdoors and our animal friends from an early age. An adventurer at heart, Mary Beth enjoys scuba diving, snorkeling, sky diving, backpacking our National Parks, and many other outdoor pursuits. Mary Beth is a graduate of Ball State University with Master’s Degrees in Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling. She is a Certified Naturalist and enjoys studying our vast natural environment and its inhabitants. She resides in a log cabin in the woods just outside of Muncie, and is currently employed as a Mental Health Therapist in Private Practice. She also teaches Yoga and various dance classes at Cornerstone Center for the Arts.

Where the Wild Things Are will be on display and open to the public in the Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery throughout the month of February.

For more information about the exhibition call Cornerstone’s Department of Education & Communication at 765-281- 9503, ext. 123 or visit cornerstonearts.org.

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co.
224 E. Main
As the Muncie Fieldhouse looks forward to hosting the 2020 Basketball Sectionals, Gordy Fine Art & Framing Company will open the exhibition Our House: Muncie Fieldhouse, a community gathering place, Thursday February 6, 5 – 8 pm. Images will be drawn from the Ball State University’s Archives and Special Collections, a department of Ball State University Libraries.  Additional material will be contributed by Muncie Public Library.  Selected images will include photographs and architectural plans that celebrate the historical importance of the Fieldhouse as a sports arena and a community gathering place for car shows, union meetings, circus events, and concerts. 

Copies of images will be sold to benefit the Muncie Community Schools efforts to preserve the Muncie Fieldhouse and its history.Light refreshments will be served and the public is invited to attend.

At 6:15 a spirited presentation will be led by Dale Basham, former principal of Muncie Central High School.  

Later at 7:30 Muncie Central varsity basketball will play Marion in the Fieldhouse. 

"Dale is the perfect person to convey the spirit we all feel for the Fieldhouse and Muncie Community Schools," said Gordy co-owner Carl Schafer.  "Throughout the evening and during Dale's presentation we will be encouraging everyone to go to the game for this important annual rivalry."

The show will be up and images for sale during February and March.  Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company promotes talented artists 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, 9 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.

Madjax Muncie
515 E. Main St.
Visit Madjax during First Thursday from 5–8 p.m. to view and purchase Muncie-made art and handmade wares! While you’re here, enjoy a bowl of soup and share your ideas to improve our community with Dr. Jane Ellery’s Community Wellbeing Class at Ball State. Interact with our artist and maker community, and discover all of the amazing things we’re up to at Madjax! The following artists, makers, and exhibitors will have work on display at Madjax during First Thursday:

5Chickens
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 gifts. Learn more about 5Chickens and their products at 5chickens.com.

Ball State University Community Wellbeing Class
Enjoy a bowl of soup while sharing your ideas for improving our community with Dr. Jane Ellery’s Community Wellbeing class.

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, 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 items perfect for gifting. Come print a free Valentine!

Dame Leo/ Denise Broyles
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 @Madjax
For the Love of Assemblage is local artist and educator Debra Gindhart’s February First Thursday exhibit. Debra used techniques of assemblage using found objects and vintage elements. Celebrating the month of February with love themed wall art. Vintage cherubs, vintage Philippines paper Cupid, LOVE assemblage, Aerosol LOVE, and Native American Love Assemblage are featured artworks in GindhART at Madjax gallery. Debra also created a humorous contemporary art series Because Bananas and Duct Tape. New scarves have been added to the GindhARTFiberART wearable art collection too. Meet the artist and enjoy light refreshments at February’s First Thursday.

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
You are invited to Madjax to view work made by the students of Motivate our Minds', "We Think It, We Make It" club and community volunteers. Join us from 5-7pm.

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 posters, notecards, and ephemera 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.

Muncie Makes Lab
628 S. Walnut
••• 50AF ••• 50 Years ••• 50 Pieces •••
Michael Eldon DuQuette will be having a solo art show at Muncie Makes Lab. DuQuette will be featuring 25 new works and 25 works from the past in this Birthday Art Exhibition Celebration.

Special thanks to the Department of Architecture, CAP, Ball State University.

Muncie Map Co.
111 E. Adams
Spiral Bound Fine Art will be revealing a new chalkboard piece drawn with pastel. For photo copies of current and past pieces, please talk with Amy Shears. Also, don't leave the shop without grabbing a gift for your Valentine! Plenty to choose from and made with love from local Muncie artists.

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!