July's First Thursday (full listing)

Michael Eldon Duquette at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 2nd floor Michael Eldon Duquette at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 2nd floor Debra Gindhart Dragoo at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 2nd floor Debra Gindhart Dragoo at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 2nd floor Jill Palumbo, Muncie Artist Guild's "Artist of the Month" Jill Palumbo, Muncie Artist Guild's "Artist of the Month"

The Clubhouse at Accutech
115 S. Walnut
Stop by The Clubhouse for dinner on First Thursday! All entrees are buy one get one free at equal or lesser value from 5pm until 9pm. 

Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 E. Main
Cornerstone Center for the Arts will host several events for July’s First Thursday.

The featured artist for July is Michael Eldon DuQuette, who will be exhibiting his work in the Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery on the 2nd floor. 

Mixed Media Artist, Michael Eldon DuQuette, was born in San Antonio, Texas, lived in Chicago for 20 years and moved to Muncie in 2008. His art career began in the mid 1980's, beginning with a representational style, moving through impressionism and cubism to abstract expressionism with realism mixed in. DuQuette’s work reflects his ceaseless interest in the exploration of different mediums and materials, a philosophy he adopted and developed while studying at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He continually moves from one medium to the other and has created works in mediums such as: collage, fiber, sculpture, oil/acrylic paintings, found objects, watercolor, oil pastel, photography, sound, video, performance art, installation and digital art.

DuQuette is a rare artist displaying convincing accomplishment both in abstract expressionism and a kind of "funk-neo-cubism" with which he creates portraits, cityscapes/landscapes and sculptures in a decidedly off beat style visually provocative, compositionally exciting and wild with color. Over time, it has become his mission to share the creative experience with as many people as possible using every tool he can find. He works to demystify art and to break through barriers. He hopes to touch the imagination of children and adults alike.  

Cornerstone’s Artist-in-Residence is Debra Gindhart Dragoo. She shares her love of art and repurposing with ECI and beyond. She will feature her Green Glam Studio PRIVATE COLLECTION again. Her artist mantra is “Real Babes Recycle, RE-use, RE-claim, RE-new" this mantra moves through her Green Glam Studio jewelry. Debra will feature her wearable art jewelry. recycle chic necklaces, bracelets, pendants, ensembles and earrings. 

Debra Gindhart Dragoo is artist in residence, curator and arts advocate. Debra loves supporting her community and the arts through creating, curating, creative workshops and advocating arts for area youth and adults. 5-8pm, 2nd floor

Local artists will also display and sell their work at Cornerstone. Resident Artist Debra Gindhart Dragoo is coordinating this event and has encouraged a number of local artists to participate.

Community artists participating this July include Alice Rose, Camellia Eckart,Julie Lephart, Val Kelly, Donita Drake, Jaci Lenox, Shayna Cline, Tom Stader, Brayden Byler, Teaira Carey, Renee Hoover York, Vicki Robertson, Angel Gillette, Traci Kelley, Brenda Kay McCoy, Linz Rodriquez, Will Britton, Stephen Millben, Dawn Cannady, Brent Craycraft, Lauren Maines, Jill Palumbo and Jennifer Amos. Cornerstone artists include Eugene Boyd, Michelle Metsker-Cass, Debra Gindhart Dragoo and Olivia Morrow.

Musicians George Lopez and Ervin Smith of GLo n Butch will perform. The featured artist for July is Michael Eldon DuQuette, who will be exhibiting his work in the Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery on Cornerstone’s 2nd Floor.

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 Cornerstone's website or call 765-281-9503 EXT. 150.

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 765-281-950

Harmony Dance Studio
227 S. Walnut
Harmony Dance Studio will have a pop-up event next to the Fickle Peach! We will have DJ Jorge Torres playing salsa and swing music, and feature on-the-spot mini dance lessons. 

Muncie Artist’s Guild
Various locations
The Muncie Artist Guild’s “Artist of the Month” is Jill Palumbo:

Jill Palumbo is an award-winning artist living in Muncie, Indiana, USA.  

She has been an artist at heart since her earliest memories and began selling beaded macramé jewelry in local gift shops as a middle schooler. She now designs her award-winning jewelry pieces in polymer, writes articles, and teaches workshops.  

Palumbo’s longtime favorite medium is polymer, but she also creates artwork in glass, ceramic, pastels and acrylic. She is passionate about art, is mainly self-taught, and is inspired by nature, textures, and world cultures. Palumbo spent thirty-four years teaching French, Japanese, and Spanish and recently English, citizenship, and general studies to adult refugees and immigrants. As an intentional world citizen, she is active online and enjoys rubbing elbows with fellow artists both at home and around the world. Palumbo is a member of the Muncie Artists Guild and the International Polymer Clay Association.  

Palumbo enjoys creating at home in both her indoor and outdoor studios. You can find her creations at the Minnetrista Museums and Gardens’ Orchard Shop and at the Rosebud Coffee House. To discover Palumbo’s upcoming events and shows, please visit her website https://jillpalumboart.com/

Her work will be shown at the following venues:
Northwest Bank, 110 E Charles St. 
Old National Bank, 2401 S Madison St. 
Parlour at Hazelwood Hair Salon, 1300 W University Ave 
Rosebud Coffee House, 1805 S Hoyt Ave. 
Vera Mae’s Bistro, 207-209 S Walnut St. 

Muncie Makers Market
Corner of Walnut and Adams
The Muncie Makers Market is happy to be a part of Muncie’s First Thursday community events, a popular local monthly tradition, going many years back, with all sorts of vendors, artists, and entertainers set up throughout Downtown Muncie. Assuming good weather, the Muncie Makers Market will set up on the sidewalks by the corner of Walnut and Adams Streets for all of the 2023 First Thursday gatherings, and be open ‪to the public from 5-8pm. The Muncie Makers Market is a registered farmers market featuring handmade creations, homemade foods, and locally grown produce! All Vendors must register in advance. 

Patterson Block
108 S. Walnut
Join us at our corner of Main Street and Walnut for Popsicles at Patterson Block while supplies last. Cool off with a popsicle and learn more about our historic building while you are there!

Vera Mae’s Bistro
207-209 S. Walnut
First Thursday Cajun Night at Vera’s! Featuring Fresh Oysters three ways, Trout Almondine, and other Cajun fixin’s.