Fun for Everyone at ArtsWalk on Oct. 4

Downtown Development and Ball State University's Departments of Fine Art and Music will join forces with downtown merchants, galleries and property owners for an evening of art, food and music for ArtsWalk 2007, 5-9 p.m. Oct. 4.

ArtsWalk is a special celebration of the regular First Thursday art event in Downtown Muncie. On the first Thursday of every month, our many art galleries downtown spotlight their monthly exhibit openings with meet-the-artist receptions. The specialty shops downtown are open late on this evening for a free, family fun event.

Bring the family Downtown to ArtsWalk on Thursday, October 4, and visit our fine galleries. We have a couple new galleries as well, please stop in and wish them well. RD Hunt Studio and Gallery has recently opened at 118 S. Walnut Street, and Gallery 308 will celebrate a grand re-opening at 308 East Main St.

Additionally, YART will be returning to Downtown Muncie on Saturday. Any artists interested in having a table can email phantom@themunciescene.com for details.

The MITS trolley will provide free service to and from Downtown and the Ball State campus on Thursday.

See exhibit details on each of the Downtown galleries, in alphabetical order below.


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~ The Artist Within, 313 S Walnut Street - 765-289-7895 ~

The Artist Within will feature artwork by members of the Muncie Artists Guild during October. During first Thursday's ArtsWalk, the upstairs gallery will exhibit paintings and be the site for several Guild artists to demonstrate their drawing and painting techniques. Opening reception Thursday Oct. 4th from 5 to 9 pm, with Muncie Artists Guild painting demonstrations, BSU Cearmics Guild raku firing and throwing demonstrations and art sale in Old National parking lot!

Muncie Artists Guild was organized in 1952 as the Amateur Artists Association. Their first show was held in June of 1952 in Ball Stores' Blue Room. Through the years, the group met and painted together in member's homes, plus enjoyed painting excursions to the Matthews Covered Bridge and the gravel pit on Cornbread Road. Many members took classes at Ball State and studied with Dr. Alice Nichols. Dr. Nichols became a mentor to them and encouraged them to exhibit at the Ball State Art Gallery, currently the Ball State Museum of Art. In time, the group decided to drop the "amateur" from their title and changed their name to the Muncie Artists Guild.


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~ Artworks, 301 South Walnut Street ~

Visual Poetry by Indiana artist Patricia Kowalski-King's work is organic and subtly colored. Abstract compositions begin in response to the landscape and evolve into both homages to the world around us and intense visual meditations on the inner life. The work invites close inspection. Each countless stitches is comprised of two to three different colored threads, slowly and patiently built up on the linen or cotton ground like paint on canvas. Exhibit on display through Nov. 1.

ONGOING EXHIBITS INCLUDE:
Lynette Whitesel-acrylic painting
Pat Garafalo- watercolors
Jon Peterson - pottery
Heidi Hale- jewel artistry

Regular gallery hours are from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Artworks is an artist owned and operated sales gallery, featuring original works for sale by
outstanding Indiana artists.

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~ Doc's Music Hall, 215 S. Walnut Street - 765-286-9049 ~

GRAMMY Award winning artist Tom Wilkes will continue his exhibit through October 7 at
Doc's Music Hall, 215 South Walnut St. in downtown Muncie.

"Classic Rock & Roll Art by Tom Wilkes" show and sale features artwork from the Monterey
International Pop Festival in 1967; rejected album cover art for George Harrison and Neil Young;
and select prints from his "Legends of the West" series, including rare photographs of Gram
Parsons, Emmylou Harris and bluegrass legend Bill Monroe.

Proceeds from the sale of the artwork will benefit Wilkes' Project Interspeak, a not-for-profit
environmental and human rights organization devoted to planetary enhancement programs.

The exhibit is presented by munciedowntown.com, Rosie's Custom Frames, and The Allan Hays Company,
a local internet and marketing firm in partnership with Wilkes to promote the sale of The Beatles'
"Peace to Monterey" artwork.


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~ Gallery 308 (formerly MPG), 308 E. Main Street - 765-289-8575 ~

Gallery 308, Muncie's nonprofit art gallery located at 308 East Main, will host a Grand Opening, Thursday, October 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. The event coincides with Arts Walk 2007, Muncie's annual celebration of the downtown arts scene.

A Grand Opening reception begins at 5:00 and promises "amazing art, food, and merriment." The month-long exhibit for October is called "One Man's Quilts" and will be introduced to the public at the Grand Opening. It is a solo exhibition of Martin George's fiber art. George is affiliated with the Indianapolis-based INfiber group which showed some pieces at the Gallery last spring.

In addition to George's quilts, winners of the Muncie Visitor's Bureau's Delaware County Photo Contest will be displayed throughout October.

Admission to the Gallery is free. Gallery 308 offers new exhibits and educational programs each month, with a new opening every First Thursday. The Gallery, formerly known as Mitchell Place Gallery, moved last summer from South Walnut Street.

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~ Gordy Fine Art & Framing, 224 E Main Street - 765-284-8422 ~

Deep Woods Art by Alan Patrick.

The depth and feel of these works pulls the viewer into a scene. Color sense, brushstroke, and attention to detail all lend their richness to the experience. Refreshments and live music by Ric Dwenger. Public is invited to attend, meet the artist and view the show.

The exhibit and may be seen during normal business hours after the opening: Monday though Friday, 9 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday, 9 to 3, or by appointment. For more information call 284-8422 or visit www.gordyframing.com .

Gordy Fine Art and Framing is located at 224 East Main Street, next door to Civic Theatre.

For more information call 765.284.8422 or visit www.gordyframing.com.

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Other downtown Muncie businesses may have art exhibits or special events during First Thursdays
include:

~ Blue Bottle Coffee Shop, 206 S Walnut Street - 765-284-36300
~ Cortex Hair Salon, 112 W Jackson Street - 765-288-6685
~ David Dale Designs, Interior Designs & Fine Art Gallery, 421 S Walnut Street - 765-284-4987
~ FB Fogg, 418 E Main Street - 765-289-7464
~ Glitterati in the Rose Court on Charles Street
~ Minnetrista, 1200 N. Minnetrista Parkway - 765-282-4848
~ RD Hunt Studio & Gallery, 118 S. Walnut Street - 765-

All of our independently owned bars and restaurants will be open and ready to serve
you. For more information, visit www.munciedowntown.com.