Meet the Artists at First Thursday Downtown

Celebrate the arts in Downtown Muncie this First Thursday, February 7th, from 5 to 8 pm. Our many art galleries spotlight their exhibit openings on the first Thursday evenings of every month, with meet-the-artist receptions.

Some of the gallery events (in alphabetical order by gallery) at the next First Thursday:

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

February at the Artist Within will feature abstract paintings by Jason Bord from Feb. 5 through 29th. The upstairs gallery at The Artist Within will feature the work of four Ball State University student printmakers, Paul Grant, Marc Girouard, Andrew Nicholson and Brie Thompson through Feb.

An opening reception will be held Thursday, February 7, from 5-8 pm.

Jason Bord is a graduate of Ball State University with a B.F.A. in sculpture. He is from Columbus, Indiana, but calls Muncie home having lived here the past five years. Working on his large scale sculptures created a space problem after graduation so Jason looked to two dimensional work as a means of artistic expression and exploration. Painting was much more compatible with the size of his studio and has opened up new avenues for him to venture down. His current work examines the ideas of insanity leading to death and the afterlife. Large masonite panels explode with layers of color that have been brushed, dabbed and drizzled to express emotion.

The four printmakers will exhibit limited edition prints created in a variety of mediums. Paul Grant, Marc Girouard, Andrew Nicholson and Brie Thompson will have an exhibit of woodcuts, intaglios and lithographs. Handmade books will also be included in their exhibit. All four of these artists are Indiana natives and have exhibited throughout the state in various shows. Local exhibits include work in shows at Art Works, Gordy's Fine Art and Framing, Doc's, Minnetrista and the Student Gallery at Ball State.

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Artworks ~ 301 South Walnut Street ~ 765-288-2221

Artworks will host a new exhibition, "From Heart and Hand" by Arlene Johnstone and Donna Cunningham, February 7 through March 6, 2008. There will be an opening reception during First Thursday, February 7, 2008 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm.

This mother, daughter team excel in working with wool tobcreate colorful and finely detailed felted bags and "pots" , wool applique, woven shawls and ponchos and hooked rugs. Both have had extensive training in fiber arts and have been working in this medium for many years. Arline Johnstone teaches rug hooking on an individual basis.

Ongoing Exhibits: David Calvin - Wood and Furniture Mary Carmichael - Paintings and Drawings Rita Cassell - Stained Glass

Artworks is an artist owned and operated sales gallery, featuring original works for sale by outstanding Indiana artists. Regular gallery hours are from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm.

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Gallery 308 ~ 308 E. Main Street ~ 765-289-8575

Gallery 308 will Showcase Katie James' Photography: Shifting Dimensionson February 7. James is a graduating senior studying photography at Ball State. Her exhibition opens on First Thursday, February 7, with an evening reception at the Gallery at 308 East Main. The reception begins at 5:00 p.m. Admission is free; refreshments will be served.

In James's eyes, small towns have one unifying feature: a "main" street, long neglected and often forgotten, filled with old buildings and businesses from another era. She is intrigued by the loneliness of such places - once bustling with life but now, all but abandoned, overlooked and under-appreciated.

Shifting Dimensions will be on view at Gallery 308 through February 29.

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

Marilynn Derwenskus, painting professor at Ball State University, will exhibit new works along with four of her friends - three from Cardiff, Wales, and the fourth from Oakland, CA. Opening February 4th at Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company in downtown Muncie, the exhibit will continue through February 29, 2008. A reception for the artists will be held First Thursday, February 7th from 5 to 8 PM. Light refreshments will be served and the public is invited to attend.

The group of women have previously shown together in Cardiff and wanted to exhibit again in the United States. While each artist creates in a particular medium, the pieces relate via shared philosophies and perspectives by the artists. Entitled "Other Visions: Here and Now," the exhibit promises to be a rich and exotic blending of photographs, prints, paintings and sculpture.

The exhibit may be viewed during normal business hours, Monday - Friday, 9 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday, 9 to 3. Gordy Fine Art and Framing is located at 224 East Main Street, next to Civic Theatre. For more information, call (765) 284-8422.

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Mitchell Place Studio ~ 301 S Walnut

Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts & Animation Student Art & Research Showcase
Thursday February 7th, 5 p.m.

See monthly showcase of recent, supported student art and research projects in association with First Thursdays downtown. For more information on this and other IDIAA programs visit www.bsu.edu/cmd/mps.

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

~ 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

Additionally, all of Downtown's independently owned bars and restaurants will be open and ready to serve you. For more information, visit www.munciedowntown.com.

Please help keep us informed of any upcoming events or exhibits in Downtown Muncie. Email details to info [at] munciedowntown.com.