Braydee Euliss

A reception for the Annual Print Show will be held First Thursday, February 2^nd,  2012, at the downtown gallery. Works by BSU professors Sarojini and Dave Johnson, select printmaking students, as well as Tom Minkler will be on display. The artists will be on hand to answer questions or to discuss techniques. The public is encouraged to attend, and light refreshments will be served. 

Savage’s Ale House is proud to announce a new works exhibit by emerging local artist, Andrew Hinck. His abstract paintings will be on display during the month of March 2012, with an opening reception Thursday, March 1^st, which coincides with downtown Muncie’s First Thursday event.

A recent Ball State University grad, Hinck has been adamant about continuing to produce work after completing his undergraduate painting degree. Confidence gained by a collections list that includes BSU Housing and Residence has supported his enthusiasm for attempting to artfully engage the Muncie community. The Historic Rose Court Building hosted his first post grad solo show in December, 2011. About March’s show, the artist cited Savage’s as “a great venue to expose young Muncie residents to honest work from local artists.” The bar is happy with that role, boasting, “Showing at Savage’s is such a casual thing. We try to choose artists that are actually customers so that we can be proud of what we show.” Works to be displayed explore themes of choice and opportunity cost through unique manipulation of building materials.

A reception for the artist will be held First Thursday, March 1^st, 2012, from 7 to 9 PM at the downtown bar. The public is encouraged to attend and continue their First Thursday experience beyond normal gallery opening hours, as Savage’s is opening until 3 AM. The exhibit can be viewed through April 3^rd, 2012 Monday through Saturday 3 PM – 3 AM, and Sunday 3 PM – 1 AM.

Artists through the ages have traveled to far-away places for inspiration and new views of the world. The two artists featured for the May exhibit at Gordy Fine Art will offer their individual views of France and New Zealand for Muncie gallery guests.

Suzanne Lambert paints large, lush canvases of color and feeling. "De la MER et le CIEL - Of SEA & SKY" features swirls and dabs that dance together, then apart, with special sensitivity to light and rhythm.  In the painting “2 Shores 2 Souls,” one almost feels the golden light on each “shore,” with the central swirling sea of cold blue that divides them. Offers the painter, “I was inspired by a quote from Khalil Gibran, ”Love one another but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.” Lambert maintains studios in Ohio and France, and makes regular visits to her family in Muncie.

Jan McCune, recently retired art teacher, just returned from a 21 day trip through New Zealand. The prolific artist produces one-of-a-kind pendants in silver and copper, adding etched textures and interesting, sometimes rare, stones.  This exhibit will feature 21 new pendants inspired by the trip, including Maori motifs, such as carvings, tattoos, the spiral and fish hooks. Stones include amber and jade, which the artist learned to carve during her visit. Titled, “The New Zealand Collection,” each pendant may be viewed as a small format work of wearable art.

A reception for the artists will be held First Thursday, May 3^rd , 2012, from 5 to 8 PM at the downtown gallery. The public is encouraged to attend, and light refreshments will be served. The other downtown galleries will also be hosting exhibits, and there is no charge to attend.

Each of the artists will give a short talk during the event. McCune will speak and answer questions beginning at 6 PM, followed by Lambert at 6:30. 

Tom Spoerner spent twelve years as the Chair of the Ball State Art Department, where he encouraged scores of students in their artistic pursuits. He was active in art education work at both state and national levels and the recipient of numerous honors, including the Art Education Association of Indiana Distinguished Fellow award. He retired from academic life in 2002.

“I started painting again in the summer of 2009,” Spoerner explains. While most of the professor’s works are hard-edge or abstract designs, he considers himself to be “old school” in both his approach and appreciation of art. “I am not concerned with super realism but want my paintings to look like something, have content, and be colorful. All of my paintings have a story behind them.”

Working in both painting and photography, the professor has exhibited in national, regional and local exhibitions; however, this will be his first show in 34 years, which he titled, “Back to the Old School: Painting Again after a 34 Year Hiatus.” Brian and Genny Gordy were students of Spoerner as they pursued Masters Degrees in the early 1980’s.

Gordy Fine Art and Framing provided its first art award at this year's Annual Student Show at Ball State. Arranged by their gallery director, Braydee Euliss, the award gave a student an exhibit of their work at the downtown gallery. Chris Graham was chosen by the juror to receive this award and will be showing in Gordy’s small front gallery during the month of June. Graham is fascinated with big cities, and most of his subject matter involves urban scenes. The new graduate has decided to move to Chicago, and this show, “The One of Many,” commemorates the big step he will be taking in this move. Graham works in woodblock, lithography, intaglio, and serigraphy to create the contemporary urban landscape.

A reception for the artists will be held First Thursday, June 7th, 2012, from 5 to 8 PM at the downtown gallery. The public is encouraged to attend, and light refreshments will be served. Spoerner will speak about his work at 6 PM. There is no charge to attend.

Gordy Fine Art & Framing Co. is located at 224 E. Main Street, next door to Muncie Civic Theatre. For more information, call 765-284-8422 or visit www.gordyframing.com. 

Please join us July 5th, 5 to 8 PM, for our 1st Thursday Art Opening. We asked 9 local potters to fill the gallery with their latest work: Kim
Anderson, Sue Beach, Carol Burt, Shonet Lambert-Martin, Ted Neal, John Peterson,Marty Price, Cathy Spiaggia, Judy Wojcik.

Genny willl give a talk @ 6:15 on Muncie Pottery - the name of both the company and the stunning pieces - vases, pottery and lamps - created there in the 1920's & 30's. Mark Eckelman has agreed to fill our display case with authentic pieces! This event will be a celebration of an historic pottery scene, right here on the banks of the White River.

Help us celebrate these artisans and our local art scene, circa 2012.