December's First Thursday (full listing)

23rd Anniversary of First Thursday (image courtesy of Debra Gindhart Dragoo) Light up DWNTWN! Christmas flash at 111 Arts Gallery Art at the Murray Pete VanDenberg at Cornerstone Center for the Arts Fox & Sparrow Tattoo Bob Ross in Carbonite by Aaron Nicholson at Gordy Kat's Crystals and Curiosities Muncie Makers Market Muncie Makers Market

Celebrate the 23rd Anniversary of First Thursday with us this December! First Thursday gallery walk events began in 2001 with the opening of the Mitchell Place Gallery in downtown Muncie. The downtown area is one of Muncie's four designated cultural zones and widely recognized as a hub for local artists to sell their wares and is home to a growing number of art galleries, non-profit experimental art spaces, and businesses supportive of our Arts + Culture community! As always, these gallery walks are free, family friendly, and typically include a number of exhibition openings, film screenings, performances, and a wide variety of community events. 

This month, we are celebrating Light Up DWNTWN with loads of fun events!Help us kickoff the holiday season with our annual Light Up DWNTWN event on First Thursday, December 5 from 5-8 pm.

Starting at 5 pm, enjoy performances, a kiddie train, and even a visit from Santa all at Canan Commons! Embrace the Christmas spirit by counting down the lighting of the community Christmas tree at 6 pm.

Explore the rest of DWNTWN for specialty holiday festivities:
- Holiday Gift Market
- First Thursday Gallery Walk
- Storefront Holiday Window Display Contest

111 Arts Gallery 
111 E. Main
We are hanging out annual Christmas tattoo flash. Krampus the Christmas Devil and get what ya’ get Christmas devil specials, tattoo art themed around Christmas.

Art at the Murray
405 S. Walnut (upstairs between the Caffeinery & Atty. Frank Brinkman's)
We have a jam-packed lineup for you! Start out with a snack in the second floor foyer gallery featuring “Transitions,” an inspiring photography collection by Jenny Moore Smith. Explore the wide variety of ooak handmade gifts and fine silk art available at Carrie Wright Silk Gifts & Gallery. Venture just a few paces down the hall to find Certified Bob Ross Instructor Chris Taylor offering rare discounts on upcoming classes as well as several of his oil paintings for sale. Next, head on up to the third floor to find our newest edition- the Dunckelhaus Photography Studio all decked out for holiday sessions. Fine art portrait painter Kerry Shaw is offering you a rare peek into his workspace with several smaller works for sale. And before you head downstairs, explore Cassie Dunmyer's studio to see a diverse collection of original art including new, detailed mixed media work along with a range of giftable prints and cards perfect for art and nature enthusiasts.

Cornerstone Center for the Arts
520 E. Main
Shop our vendors, listen to music by Angel Gilette, and explore and shop the artwork of Pete VanDenberg.

Fox & Sparrow Tattoo
304 S. Walnut
We will be open 1pm-8pm offering a Holiday Themed Flash Special, custom walk-ins, tattoo gift cards & T-shirts to kick off your holiday season. 

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co. 
224 E. Main
Gordy Fine Art & Framing Company kicks off our annual Holiday Art Sale with 10% off locally handmade items perfect for gift giving. Our Holiday Art Sale will be open 5-8pm, First Thursday, December 5 and continue through December 14

Gordy Fine Art and Framing is the area’s leading source for holiday gifts that are handmade locally. These include prints, pottery, and jewelry. Prices mostly fall between $30 to $200. From whimsical “Funcie” shirts to handcrafted mugs and plates. Paintings and prints capture Indiana’s landscapes in both traditional and contemporary styles.

“The Holiday Art Sale offers great opportunities to find unique holiday gifts with a connection to the city we live in,” says Gordy owners Barbara and Carl Schafer. “Often our customers are shopping for friends who have moved away from Muncie, or for their grown children who need something special to remember their hometown. Useful things such as mugs, bowls, and t-shirts are popular since they are used every day.”

The sale will run through December 14 and new works will be continually added to replace things that are purchased and removed.

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. We also offer photo printing and enlargement services. Business hours: Monday through Friday, 9am – 5:30pm, Saturday, 9am-3pm. 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.

Kat’s Crystals & Curiosities
111 E Adams St 
We will be offering 11% off storewide at 111 E Adams St from 5-8pm to customers who mention this promotion! We will also be offering Tarot & Oracle card readings & serving complimentary refreshments! Advent Calendars, Mystery Boxes, Grab Bag Stockings, Stocking Stuffers, and Gift Sets will be available for purchase. Stop in to see us for some holiday cheer! 

Muncie Makers Market
Corner of Walnut and Adams and Canan Commons
The Muncie Makers Market will be set up in TWO locations this First Thursday!

The 2024 Annual Holiday Gift Market at Light Up DWNTWN will be open from 5-8pm in our cozy indoor location at 301 South Walnut Street, next to HeidiJHale Designs. This is Muncie's chance to shop early with Hoosier Makers! Many unique gifts and treats for everyone!

The Muncie Makers Market will also set up outdoors on the sidewalks of Downtown Muncie for Light Up DWNTWN! We'll be at Adams & Walnut from 5-8pm- bundle up and enjoy a lovely Winter evening in Downtown Muncie!

Carnegie Lights
301 E Jackson St
A stunning video projection and dance performance on the façade of our own treasured Carnegie Library in the heart of downtown Muncie. Jackson Street will be closed to traffic for this brief event starting exactly at 6:30. Come experience an awe-inspiring multimedia and dance performance motivated by the muses! (…who, by the way, also exist in sculpted form on the Carnegie facade!)