March's First Thursday (full listing)

Cornerstone Center for the Arts Debra Gindhart Dragoo at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 2nd floor Scott Anderson at Gordy Fine Art and Framing Co. Marilyn Keiser at Grace Episcopal Church Deborah Miller, Muncie Artist Guild's "Artist of the Month" Muncie Central High School AP Artist Exhibition, Muncie Makes Lab Dominick Haskins, Muncie Makes Lab

111 Arts Gallery 
111 E. Main
111 Arts Gallery will have the art of Ron Bias of Fort Recovery, Ohio on display for First Thursday. Ron was a tattoo artist in La Crosse, Wisconsin. After moving to Indiana in the 1980s, he made his art on tombstones since tattooing was illegal until 1997 in Indiana. Ron’s flash sheets from Dad’s Tattoo Shop will be on display throughout the month. 

Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 E. Main
Cornerstone Center for the Arts will again host local artists in conjunction with Muncie’s First Thursday. Resident Artist Debra Gindhart Dragoo is coordinating this event and has lured several local artists to participate during the past two First Thursday celebrations. March’s pop-up artist lineup includes Jill Palumbo, Angel Gillette, Tom Stader, Alyssa Carey, Christine Barber Bush, Val Kelley, Elizabeth Reichert, Kat Mesaros, Shannah Mesaros, Taunya Fallon, Melissa Moles, Maria Clifford Walker, Stephen M. Millben, Miranda Quakenbush, Crosby Family Art, Olivia Morrow and Dragoo. 

In addition, the Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery will display the works of Eugene Boyd, a noted ceramics artist who teaches at Cornerstone. Local electronic musician Arttacgo Alexander will provide music. “We believe it is important to encourage the creative paths of our artists, we also celebrate the youth who are creative artists in the community,“ says Dragoo. Those who want to participate should call Dragoo at Cornerstone at 765-281-9503 ext. 150. Pop-up artists are $10 per table with additional tables $5 each. For additional information on First Thursday, art classes, rentals and events, please go to www.cornerstonearts.org or call 765-281-9503 EXT. 150. 

Debra Gindhart Dragoo turns her Green Glam Studio Jewelry into a LOVE of ANIMALS collection of earrings and pendants. Debra chose a worthy Muncie non-profit to create for, Muncie Animal Care & Services. The dog, kitty, fish, etc. earrings and pendants are $20 each with 50% proceeds for Muncie Animal Care & Services. Debra loves supporting her community and the arts through creating, curating and advocating arts for children through adults. 5-8pm, 2nd floor, Great Hall

Cornerstone Center for the Arts offers opportunities for creative expression for all through community and rental spaces in a historic setting. Thousands of area residents attend wedding and civic events, in addition to taking classes in art, dance and music. Cornerstone is home to the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and The Masterworks Chorale. For additional information go to www.cornerstonearts.org or call 765-281-9503.

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co. 
224 E. Main
Gordy Fine Art & Framing party for Conjure, Combine, Continue: Ceramics by Kimberly Anderson and Paintings by Scott Anderson, Thursday March 2, 5-8 pm. 

Kimberly and Scott Anderson are beloved artists in our area, making art and teaching art students for over 25 years.  Gordy has represented their work for over 20 years, and we are proud to highlight them in an exhibit thru March 11.  Conjure, Combine, Continue implies the dedication and shear persistence of their artistic practice with works they have produced throughout their careers.  A portion of all sales of Scott’s paintings will go to support a BSU scholarship for upper level painting students. Light refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend. 

Kim Anderson is a Junior High Art Teacher at Jay County Schools.  She has a studio and kilns in Hartford City, Indiana, where she lives. Her art considers the intricacies of life and the environment. “I am influenced by two spheres of thought: the physical sciences and the human psyche. I find that science considers facts, and the psyche discloses the mysteries of life. I am not searching for truth, but for a secret.”

Scott Anderson is a Professor of Painting at Ball State University since 1995 and has exhibited professionally for the past 30 years.  “My paintings attempt to show idea systems in conflict through a mixture of styles, surfaces, symbols, appropriated images, and forms that have been assembled into a contrasting visual stew.”

Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company promotes talented artists, provides appraisals, restores antique frames, 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, 10 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

Grace Episcopal Church
300 S. Madison
Grace Episcopal Church in Muncie is sponsoring an organ concert in coordination with Muncie’s First Thursday activities this March. All are welcome to attend this free concert:

Marilyn Keiser, organist
Thursday, March 2, 2023
7:00 p.m.
Grace Episcopal Church
300 S. Madison (corner Madison and Adams—next to classic McDonald’s sign)

Marilyn Keiser is Chancellor’s Professor Music Emerita at Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington, where she taught courses in sacred music and applied organ for 25 years.  Active as a church musician for nearly six decades, Dr. Keiser has recently retired as organist/director of music at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bloomington.

Muncie Artist’s Guild
Various locations
Debra Miller is the Muncie Artist Guild’s “Artist of the Month.”

Through my art I endeavor to express my feelings of joy and awe at the beauty of nature (including mankind) through the use of color and light. I am not tied to any particular technique. In a day and age that is centering on destructive elements, I hope to “remind us how to embrace this beautiful broken world once again with an open heart” (Terry Tempest Williams). Painting in the mediums of acrylics, watercolors, and oil paints allows me to build my color, light, and depth through layering, translucency, and value changes. 

Having received my BA and MA degrees (fine arts and education) from Anderson University and ISU respectively, I taught art in the South Vermillion School Corporation (and previously at Southwest Parke) until retirement. After retirement I taught art in Madison County and Jay County. These positions included kindergarten through high school art. These experiences impressed me with the pure joy that children have with the creative process itself and that you should paint what you love or what moves you. 

Active in the Wabash Valley Art Guild, I exhibited art in Terre Haute and surrounding areas, taking several ribbons. I painted two murals in the area: one was painted with a fellow artist at Union Hospital’s chapel and another was a panel section at the Saratoga Restaurant (both under the name of Bonness). I have done commissioned pieces in Vermillion County, Vigo County, and Delaware County. I am currently active in the Muncie Artists Guild and Alcove Artists. 

Deborah will be displaying her work at the following businesses for the month of March: 

Northwest Bank, 110 E Charles St. Muncie, IN 47305
Old National Bank, 2401 S Madison St. Muncie, IN 47302
Parlour at Hazelwood Hair Salon, 1300 W University Ave, Muncie, IN 47303
Rosebud Coffee House, 1805 S Hoyt Ave. Muncie, IN 47302
Vera Mae’s Bistro, 207-209 S Walnut St. Muncie, IN 47305 

Muncie Makes Lab
628 S. Walnut
Muncie Makes Lab will be showing the Muncie Central High School AP Artist Exhibition for March’s First Thursday. 

MCHS Art Teachers: Carol Daugherty, John McKalip
AP 2d and 3d Art students
Variety, inspiration, and youthful creativity are displayed simultaneously by the most advanced artists at Muncie Central High School. They have been working all year on a body of artworks for a portfolio in their AP Art Studio courses. Various media, subject matter, and driving questions are explored as students determine the focus for their artworks. Come see the talent and imagination of Muncie's AP art students displayed across the walls for this exhibition! 5-8pm

Special feature BSU Artist: Dominick Haskins, “Selected Works”
Feast your eyes upon the apocalyptic, war-felt, and cavernous meanings creatively exhibited for pleasure. "I, Dominick Haskins, am a Ball State senior currently student teaching at Muncie Central high school. I concentrate on two-dimensional art, with my primary media choice being charcoal, graphite, and Prismacolor. Proceed with caution when visualizing some artworks; skip details if you dare! Come with your minds open for interpretation!"