Events on January 1, 2026

Since 2001, Open Space: Art About the Land has encouraged artists from across the state to draw inspiration from the land that surrounds us. From painters to sculptors and beyond, the exhibition presents a diverse showcase of creative talent that celebrates the beauty achieved when nature inspires art. Sachi Yanari-Rizzo, curator of prints and drawings at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, will be this year’s exhibition juror. Once again, tandem exhibitions will be presented by Minnetrista and the Red-tail Land Conservancy’s mission to protect wild lands in East Central Indiana.

First Thursday's Silver Anniversary, Logo design by Shantanu Suman Andrew Slack, “Green Sunlight,” Muncie Artist Guild's "Artist of the Month” art, Island of Islay, Andrew Slack, “Nebo Road, Yorktown,” Muncie Artist Guild's "Artist of the Month” Andrew Slack, “Loch Gruinart, Island of Islay,” Muncie Artist Guild's "Artist of the Month” Cari and Foxxy, The Songwriter Sessions at 7 Rock Laura Switzer, The Songwriter Sessions at 7 Rock

Help us celebrate out Silver Anniversary on January 1st, 2026! First Thursday has been a monthly art event in downtown Muncie for 25 years and we will be celebrating all year long!. 

Many thanks to Shantanu Suman for the new logo design that we will be using throughout this entire year. 

Muncie Artists Guild
Various locations
Andrew Slack is the Muncie Artists Guild’s Artist of the Month for January 2026.

"I grew up in the west of Scotland on Loch Lomond helping my dad crew his freshwater biology research launch. Hence the outdoors and the wild have always been a passion. From childhood this has been articulated through painting landscapes in watercolor."

Andrew's work will be on display at the following locations: 
Rosebud Coffee House, Haul n Oats, Vera Mae’s, Patterson Lobby, and Old National Bank. 

The Songwriter Sessions at 7 Rock
613 N. Madison
The Songwriter Sessions is a monthly event where local and regional songwriters share the art of original music and the stories behind the songs.  The event is held in conjunction with Muncie's First Thursday. It runs from 8-10pm at 7 Rock, 613 N Madison St, after the main First Thursday events, as an after party where you can unwind and listen to awesome live music performed by the creators. The January event features Laura Switzer from Bloomington as well as Cari and Foxxy from Alexandria. You may find details here or on The Songwriter Sessions Facebook page.