March's First Thursday (full listing)

Ron Bias art at 111 Arts Gallery Maya Doss, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 2nd floor Maya Doss, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 2nd floor Sarojini Jha Johnson, Gordy Fine Art and Framing Co. Stephen M Millben II, Muncie Artist Guild's "Artist of the Month" Stephen M Millben II, Muncie Artist Guild's "Artist of the Month" Muncie Makes Lab and Muncie Central High School AP Artists Murray Building Open Studios

111 Arts Gallery 
111 E. Main
As always, 111 Arts Gallery has artwork from Ron Bias, a Fort Recovery artist who recently passed. We have tattoo artifacts he made from 1981-82. Moving to Indiana, tattooing was illegal so he began to do tombstones. Celebrate the life of Ron Bias. Stop by to see his tattoo art and get a tattoo. 

Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 E. Main
Join Maya Doss inside the Judith Barnes Memorial Gallery on the 2nd Floor of Cornerstone Center for the Arts for the opening reception of her first gallery showing- Resurrect on March 7th from 5-8pm! Celebrate our regenerated spirits awakening in the Spring sun by walking through 10-years worth of Maya's artwork themed around death and rebirth, personal transformation, and spiritual visions. Her collection will be up the entire month of March, but on March 7th, alongside Muncie's traditional First Thursday celebration, will be the opening reception for her curated collection. Join the local art scene for Maya Doss' speech, refreshments, and to tell her how her artwork has impacted you!

CCA will again also host several talented community artists and makers, which are listed below: 

Musical guest: Katie Jo Robinson 
Cornerstone Center For the Arts community artists, creatives, and makers: Stefan Mckell, Val Kelley, Janessa Erickson , Alyssa Geary, Lily Elizabeth Catron, Mikell Vawter, Zanita Whitley, Tom Stader, Angel Gillette, Will Britton Jr., Lucas Jared, Michael Lassiter, Jill Palumbo, Hannah Zedaker, William Erickson, Debra Gindhart Dragoo (First Thursday curator and Muncie community arts advocate).

Cornerstone Center for the Arts is a cultural hub located in Muncie, Indiana. It hosts various arts-related activities, classes, and events. If you have specific questions or if there’s something particular you’d like to know about Cornerstone Center for the Arts, feel free to ask! Cornerstone Center for the Arts offers opportunities for creative expression for all through community and rental spaces in a historic setting. Cornerstone is home to The Masterworks Chorale and Orchestra Indiana 

First Thursday Events located on the Second Floor on March 7 from 5-8pm. First Thursday Events located on the Second Floor on March 7 from 5-8pm. 

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co. 
224 E. Main
Gordy Fine Art and Framing will celebrate the First Thursday in March with a party on the 7th from 5 – 7 pm. Art by printmaker Sarojini Johnson, Professor of Art in the Ball State University School of Art will be on view. Light refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend.

Sarojini Jha Johnson has been a printmaker for over four decades, known mostly for color intaglio printmaking, a complex and physically demanding process. The prints in this show represent some of her most ambitious work from throughout her career. Currently teaching intaglio printmaking at Ball State University since 1985, Johnson received an MFA in printmaking from Miami University. Her work intertwines memories and impressions of India, featuring native animals and plants rendered in colors connected to her cultural heritage and her family. 

The exhibit will remain on view through March 16. 

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. Summer Invitational may also be viewed through the end of August during regular 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.

Muncie Artist’s Guild
Various locations
Stephen M. Millben II is our Muncie Artists Guild's Artist of the Month for March 2024. 

Stephen’s Artist Statement/Bio: 
I have always wanted to be an artist, so I have done many different styles of art. From my days at Ball State working with oils and ceramics, to my days as a freelance graphic designer. My artwork is a culmination of years of experimenting. The majority of my work is done in  what I call a “stained glass” look. Very reminiscent of the stained glass my father used to create. I also do Urban Mandalas which is my take on the traditional mandalas. Mine use random images and doodles to create very complex images. 

His work will be shown at the following locations: Northwest Bank (E Charles), Old National Bank (S Madison), Rosebud Coffee House, Vera Mae's Bistro, and Parlour Salon. 

Muncie Makes Lab
628 S. Walnut
Muncie Central High School AP Artists: Then & Now! Exhibition:
Join in on the first call back exhibition for AP Artists! On display is art portfolio work from our current AP Art students AND current art from all of the MCHS AP Art Alumni students who are currently studying ART at Ball State University. This casts the vision of where our AP art students go after graduation, and also highlights the amazing preparation they have in the AP art program at Muncie Central to become artists, animators, and art educators. This exhibit will showcase 14 students and their artistic journey. Drop by to join this visual adventure!

MCHS Art Teachers: Carol Daugherty (2D Art) & John McKalip (3D Art).

Featured BSU Artists (Art education, Animation, Fine Arts): Zake Campbell, Jenaka Davenport, Trinity DeWitt, La’Saiha Ewing, Rayven Lopez, Alex McNeill, Maria Sanchez, Adam Schuler .

MCHS AP Artists: Olivia Church, Waverley Daugherty, Samantha Fowler, Blue Munson, Gabe Reynolds, Elaina Sander.

Murray Building 
405 S. Walnut (between the Caffeinery & Atty. Frank Brinkman's)
Murray Building Trio of Open Studios:
Please join us for the launch of our 2024 First Thursday Open Studios Season! See the work in progress Jeff Brackett is creating as he prepares for his big opening at Gordy's in May; Cassie Dunmyer has work on display from her solo show at Anna Bier Art Gallery; and Carrie Wright is offering a sneak peak of her eclipse themed art collection she's creating for the upcoming Indiana Artisan Marketplace in April!