Bring Your Friends Downtown for the First Thursday Gallery Walk

Celebrate the arts in Downtown Muncie this First Thursday, November 6th, from 5 to 8pm. Our many art galleries launch their monthly exhibits on the first Thursday evenings of every month, with meet-the-artist receptions.

The following exhibits will be opening (in alphabetical order by gallery) at the next First Thursday:

111 Arts Gallery and Tattoo Studio ~ 111 East Main Street ~ 765-282-8342

Graffiti artist Aaron Roberts will exhibit works at 111 Arts Gallery at 111 E. Main Street. There will be an opening receptio during First Thursday, November 6th, from 5 to 8pm.
For more information visit www.tattooindiana.com or http://www.myspace.com/tattooindiana.

The Artist Within Gallery

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

The Artist Within will feature artwork by members of "Creative Artists Guild", a local organization that has a membership with a wide range of interests and mediums.

These artists work in drawing, mixed media, oils, pastels, watercolor, sculpture and photography. "Creative Artists Guild" is a support group that offers encouragement to promote the development of the arts, as well as contributing to various local charities. Members take pride in their great fellowship and positive critiques and encouragement. Member artists have exhibited locally at the Maring Hunt Library, Robin's Nest, and the Blue Bottle. Guild members exhibiting their work in this show include: Sherman Bragg, Nancy Brown, Mike Fields, De Hale, Steve Hammond, Eric Murphy, Rose Ray and Tanya Ray. The exhibit and sale will run November 4-29, 2008.

An artists' reception will be held from 5-8 pm, Thursday, November 6, 2008.
Beginning Saturday November 8th, the Artist Within will be open from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm on Saturdays. We are also adding Sunday afternoon hours November 9th and will be open from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sundays. These new hours will remain in effect through the Holiday Season.

Several other Downtown businesses are extending their hours and we hope you will visit and shop with them too.

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

ArtWorks Gallery's featured artist for November is Michael Hoots, in an exhibit titled "Turning Wood Into Objects d'Arte." There will be an oening reception during First Thursday, November 6, 2008 - 5:30pm to 8:30pm. The exhibit runs through November 30th.

Michael Hoots started MatMar WoodWorks several years ago after becoming tired of the corporate world. "At the time I focused mainly on home renovation trim carpentry and custom decks while living in Georgia. MatMar WoodWorks took a few years hiatus when I decided to reenter the corporate world as a manager of a chemical plant in Ohio and then relocated to Indiana as a General Manager/VP of a small locally owned business. When asked to relocate along with the business, I decided to make a living doing what I really loved, working with wood".

Michael was introduced to wood working by his father and grade school shop teachers. As his skills and tool collection grew, so did the complexity of his projects.

A few years ago Michael made the choice to either learn how to use the lathe given to him by his father over 30 years ago, or give it to one of his sons and let it gather dust in their homes. Once he learned the basics he stated: "I was addicted".

Michael's first pieces were simple bowls and plates made out of solid blocks of wood. He began gluing various species of wood together after reviewing a 1976 article in "Fine Woodworking" on segmented bowls. He stared experimenting with different forms, deriving inspiration from ancient vases in National Geographic, forms in nature and other art sources. He eventually realized that the secret to a beautiful piece of turned wood lay not only in the turning, but in the preparation and especially the finishing. Now over half his house and most of his workshop is covered with pieces waiting to be turned.

Michael's current work primarily consists of segmented turnings made from both domestic (ash, walnut, maple, osage orange) and exotic (wenge, rosewood, purple-heart) woods.

Michael states that: "I am constantly trying new forms, techniques and finishes. A lot of time and effort is put into each piece and I want everyone who owns one of my pieces to be completely satisfied. The look and feel of a carefully crafted piece of woodworking can bring warmth and personality to a room like nothing else can".

" MatMar WoodWorks was named after my sons, Matthew and Marshall. They have always given me great joy and I consider them to be my best work".

ARTWORKS GALLERY'S MISSION - as a non-profit, cooperative artist gallery, our mission is to serve the Muncie community, provide local artists a facility to exhibit their art and to provide educational opportunities and affordable art to our community.

Blue Bottle ~ 206 South Walnut Street ~ 765-284-3630

Bottle coffee shop on Walnut St. showcases local artwork every month. Visit www.bluebottlecoffee.com or myspace.com/bluebottlecoffee for information.

Downtown Farm Stand ~ 125 East Main Street ~ 765-288-3775

Downtown Farm Stand organic market at the corner of Main and Mulberry streets now carries Sue Beach's functional pottery. The Downtown Farm Stand offers a seasonal selection of meat, dairy, eggs, produce, bulk foods and canned goods from Indiana's finest farms and regional producers. Visit www.downtownfarmstand.com for info.

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

November is for lovers...of art and wine! This month find some real treasures at the 6th Annual Wine Dinner and Art Auction sponsored by Gallery 308 and held on November 21 at Vera Mae's.

To kick things off, the Gallery is hosting a reception, Thursday November 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. Get a sneak peek at the art treasures to be on the auction block--and place your bids early. The "auction preview" (and early bidding) will continue through the month until auction night.

You may also purchase wine exclusively bottled for the event by Grape Expectations in Carmel. Well-known local artist Jim Faulkner has designed unique one-of-a-kind "collectible" labels for the wine bottles.

Once again, the proceeds from the silent auction and sale of wine will be divided evenly between Gallery 308 and A.R.F. (Animal Rescue Fund).

Admission to the November 6 opening reception is free and open to the public. Tickets for the dinner and auction are also available at the Gallery, 308 East Main, Muncie, or can be purchased from Sherry Powell at 765-282-0204. An auction book with photos of the artwork will be circulating prior to and during auction night.

Gallery 308 is a 501(c)(3) community art gallery which exists to provide exhibition space for artists, encourage innovative work and serve the community as a cultural and educational resource. Contributions to Gallery 308 are tax-deductible. For more information about gallery hours, volunteer and donor opportunities, please call 765-289-8575.

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

Watercolors by Jim Faulkner will be exhibited at Gordy Fine Art and Framing during the month of November and will include both new pieces and other related favorites.

A reception for the artist will be held during the First Thursday downtown event on November 6, 2008, from 5 to 8 PM. The public is invited to attend and light refreshments will be served.

If art communities had royal members, watercolorist Jim Faulkner would wear a crown. Much-admired by patrons, other artists and former students - he taught in the Ball State Art Department - Faulkner has lived the romantic life we all like to believe artists live. And he's still living it.

On several acres just outside the city limits, the artist, along with wife, Eleanor, raised and trained dogs, ran a successful kennel and pursued a solid art career. Both a plein air and studio landscape painter, Faulkner rigs his van to serve as mini-studio as he travels back roads of Indiana, searching for old barns, century-old hilltop brick homes, former garages in small towns. Back home, he applies finishing touches in his converted grand old barn studio. Normally a solitary painter, Faulkner spent a couple of years traveling the state with comrade David Dale, as they painted and sketched the entire course of the Wabash River.

"I paint the meadows, woods, homesteads, towns and people of the mid-west. Trying to find meaning in the stillness of an abandoned farm, or the quiet of a snow-covered woods, or even the aging of the human face. If I find that meaning and quality, the painting is worthwhile to me and I hope to the viewers of my work," offers the soft-spoken Faulkner.

The exhibit may also be viewed during normal business hours:Monday - 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 to Civic Theatre.

Mitchell Place Studio ~ 301 S Walnut

Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts & Animation Student Art & Research Showcase
Thursday April 3rd, 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.

Toys Forever Models & Hobbies ~ 311 South Walnut Street ~ 765-288-6505

On First Thursdays, Toys Forever Models & Hobbies hosts a meeting of modelers who build and detail plastic models of cars, trucks, aircraft, ships, sci-fi and other subjects. The meeting is held from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. Come see finished models on display, models in the process of being built and talk to the modelers about tips and techniques. Any person interested is welcome to join and participate in the display and discussion. For more information, contact Brandon Mundell at Toys Forever Models & Hobbies (765) 288-6505.

In addition, Toys Forever Models & Hobbies will be open to the public extended hours until 8:00 PM First Thursday. Come meet our knowledgeable and friendly staff while exploring East Central Indiana's premier selection of model and hobby supplies.

Other downtown Muncie businesses may have extended hours or special events during First Thursdays including:

~ Cassella's Kitchen, 401 S. Walnut Street - 765-289-8980
~ FB Fogg, 418 E Main Street - 765-289-7464
~ 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.

Click Here for More Downtown Muncie Events.

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

Please tell them you saw it on munciedowntown.com