May's First Thursday (full listing)

Ivan Harmon at 111 Arts Gallery Ivan Harmon at 111 Arts Gallery "Animation, Graphic Design, and Graphic Arts Management Senior Showcase," Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 1st floor Debra Gindhart Dragoo at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 2nd floor Debra Gindhart Dragoo at Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 2nd floor A Tattoo Flash Fundraiser, Paws for a Cause, with Fox & Sparrow Tattoo and ARF A Tattoo Flash Fundraiser, Paws for a Cause, with Fox & Sparrow Tattoo and ARF Jeff Brackett, at Gordy Fine Art and Framing Co. Radical Jewelry Makeover at Made in Muncie Laser engrave a scannable spotify link or QR code onto a throwback acrylic keychain for just $5, Design Lab at Madjax CARS/Beyond I Can, Vinyl Record Art, Madjax CARS/Beyond I Can, Vinyl Record Art, Madjax Sherry Adkins, Muncie Artists Guild "Artist of the Month" Sherry Adkins, Muncie Artists Guild "Artist of the Month" Muncie Makers Market

111 Arts Gallery 
111 E. Main
May First Thursday @111artsgallery: Our artist this month solo show is Ivan Harmon. They have grown up in downtown Muncie their whole life apprenticing under their father, owner Nate Harmon. Ivan is showcasing tattoo flash as a solo artist. They have had a solo show every year since they where 5, so celebrate a downtown local artist on their apprenticeship in tattooing! 5-8pm. Snacks n’ drinks and live tattooing! The pieces will be on the main display wall the whole month of May. 

Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 E. Main
FOUND FIBER, FOUND OBJECTS, YARN BOMBING: Tactile & Telling.
Feature Fiber Art Installation
Debra Gindhart Dragoo 

YARN BOMBING isn’t GENTRIFFITI, fiber arts can be beautifully showcased in an art installation, perhaps through large-scale crochet or knit installations, intricate textile sculptures, or immersive weaving environments. The interplay of color, texture, and form in fiber arts lend itself well to creating captivating installations that engage viewers on both visual and tactile levels. These installations can explore themes such as identity, tradition, or environmental sustainability; offering a rich and immersive experience for audiences to explore and contemplate. Yarn bombing, also known as guerrilla knitting, is a form of street art where knitted or crocheted yarn is used to create colorful displays in public spaces. It’s a way for artists to add whimsy and warmth to urban environments, often covering objects like lampposts, statues, or bike racks with knitted or crocheted material. Yarn bombing can bring a lot of joy and creativity to public spaces. 

Are you ready to be entertained? CCA’s First Thursday musical guest is Arttacgo Alexander. Arttacgo is a performing arts educator and community engagement coordinator on a mission to create performing arts jobs right here in Delaware County. First Thursdays is the first stop on Mr. Arttacgo's Community Concert Tour, where he will be entertaining the crowd with original music from various genres. 

CCA will again also host a group of amazingly talented artists, creators, and makers. Please join us as we celebrate Muncie’s local arts and culture community. Artists Val Kelley, Janessa Erickson, Melissa Wright Davis, Anita Oppinger, Stephen M. Millben II, Angel Gillette, Rhonda Newsome, Molly McQuire, William Erickson, Mikell Vawter, Stefan McKell, and Hope Mechelle Scates will all be there with their amazing work!

Cornerstone Center for the Arts, 2nd floor

Artist in Residence and Community Arts Advocate, Debra Gindhart Dragoo is coordinating this event. For additional information on Cornerstone’s First Thursday, rentals or events, call 765-281-9503.

School of Art - Animation, Graphic Design, and Graphic Arts Management Senior Showcase: Immerse yourself in a world of creativity and innovation at the "School of Art - Animation, Graphic Design, and Graphic Arts Management Senior Showcase"! Join us at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts on May 2nd from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Colonnade Room for an unforgettable evening celebrating the extraordinary talents of our graduating seniors.

Experience the culmination of years of dedication and passion as our students unveil their final portfolios and capstone projects. From mesmerizing animations to stunning graphic designs prepare to be captivated by the boundless creativity on display. Mark your calendars and join us for an evening of inspiration, celebration, and endless possibilities. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this exciting event! 5-7 pm, Colonnade Room (1st floor).

Fox & Sparrow Tattoo
304 S. Walnut
From 1-8pm on May 2nd, Fox & Sparrow Tattoo is teaming up with Muncie’s ARF to celebrate the opening of their new Downtown location with A Tattoo Flash Fundraiser, Paws for a Cause. The Artists serving you for this event are Joshua Chatwin, Samantha Chatwin, Sean King, Laura Hull, Ethan Jester & Guest Artist, Kaylea Elliott! F&ST will have pre-sized animal themed Tattoo Flash designs made specifically for this event, ready to be selected by you! Priced at $80 for outline only and $100 for black and grey or color—25% of all proceeds will be donated to ARF! 

Tattoos aren’t your thing?  You are still welcome to come check out our new location, meet some friendly pups hanging with the ARF crew, and donate directly to ARF via on-site donation boxes. 

For more details on how your donation would be used to help the animals that ARF cares for visit Fox and Sparrow Tattoo and ARF’s socials or websites!

Mom can’t get mad about a tattoo that helps out our furry friends! Must be 18 with a valid state ID to participate. 

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co. 
224 E. Main
Gordy Fine Art & Framing opening party Jeff Brackett, Precisely Abstract: Gordy Fine Art and Framing is proud to highlight the art of artist Jeff Brackett. The party will be on First Thursday, May 2, from 5 – 8 pm. The artist will be on hand.  Light refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend.

Jeff Brackett was previously a professor of religious studies focusing on South Asian religions.  As a visual artist, he is mostly known for his exquisite and meditative line drawings which are balanced between being purposefully composed and meandering adventurously.  “I draw a single line, followed by innumerable other lines that morph into unique artworks. My emphasis on patterns and precision comes from having Asperger Syndrome, which presents itself as an ability to do repetitive line work for hours on end.”

At 6:15, Jeff will speak about his work and his process. 

The exhibit will remain on view through June 1, 2024. 

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.

Made in Muncie
313 S. Walnut
Made In Muncie Pottery will host an opening for Ball State Metals + Jewelry on May 2nd from 5-8pm. Ball State Metals + Jewelry in collaboration with Radical Jewelry Makeover will hold a show and sale at Made In Muncie for the month of May. Portions of the proceeds from pieces sold will go to Ethical Metalsmiths, a community dedicated to inspiring responsible jewelry practices through education, connection, and action. 

Madjax Muncie
515 E. Main St.
Design Lab at Madjax: Laser engrave a scannable spotify link or QR code onto a throwback acrylic keychain for just $5. Come in and see what you can make in the Madjax Design Lab! Free for Design Lab and Co:Lab members.

CARS/Beyond I Can: Celebrate music in Muncie this First Thursday with CARS/Beyond I Can! For $5 you can create your own splatter/spiral paint art piece on a recycled vinyl record or purchase a bowl made from recycled records. Come check out our other hand made goods and rock out to some music with us and other vendors at 515 E Main St., Muncie, IN inside the MadJax building from 5pm to 8pm!

Muncie Artist’s Guild
Various locations
Sherry Adkins is our Muncie Artists Guild's Artist of the Month for May 2024. 

Sherry’s Artist Statement: Growing up in the countryside of Indiana, surrounded by fields, forests and wildlife instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature. Often, I would have a front row seat to the deer that wander into the back yard, a view of the many birds that would gather at the bird feeders, and the families of raccoons that would climb up the apple trees for a snack. 
As an adult, I have a sense of peace and a strong connection to God being in nature. I often admired the natural details and textures in nature. I believe that where I find God the most is in the details. Through the art of pyrography, I aim to push the boundaries of drawing with heat and fire, and reveal an up close, detailed view of the wildlife and nature that surround us. 

Her 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 Makers Market
Corner of Walnut and Adams
The Muncie Makers Market will be set up outdoors on the corner of Adams Street & Walnut Street in Downtown Muncie from 5-8p on First Thursday, assuming good weather. 

The Muncie Makers Market is a community farmers market with fresh homemade food, locally grown produce, live plants, beautiful art, and handmade crafts of all kinds! You’ll find the Muncie Makers Market at Adams & Walnut in Downtown Muncie monthly for First Thursdays (5-8p) and at special events throughout our community all year! Please JOIN us on Facebook and Instagram.