The Minnetrista Cultural Center dedicated its new memorial, "Catalyst," on Thursday with a celebration that included a number of family activities and events for children. The Edmund F. and Virginia b. Ball Foundation gave "Catalyst" is a gift to Minnetrista. "Catalyst" tallest free standing sculpture in Indiana.
During the event, a bluegrass band played music while student volunteers handed out free ice cream. The center even set up stations for children to create their own "Catalyst" sculptures.
Recent Ball State graduate Karen Ailes works as a cultural interpreter at Minnetrista. During the dedication, she oversaw the station that allowed children to create sculptures.
"The kids get to use materials similar to those in the structure," Ailes said. "By using rocks, plastic and clay, they can make as many pieces of art as they want."
Because "Catalyst" was made from 32,000 pounds of limestone, Minnetrista also set up an area for children to try their hands at limestone carving and chiseling.
Anamarie Booher, 8, practiced her artistic skills at the dedication. She said she created three clay sculptures in 30 minutes and planned to make more.
Ball State senior Katie Carlson attended the event and said by looking closely, she could literally see the shapes of two people - Edmund F. Ball and Virginia Ball - in the sculpture.
"It's a beautiful structure and symbolizes all the great things Ed and Virginia did for the Muncie community," Carlson said.
During the dedication, "Catalyst" artist Beverly Stucker Precious said the sculpture was a tribute to the spirit of the Ball family and she hoped all visitors to Minnetrista would be able to enjoy "Catalyst" for years to come.
"'Catalyst' sprang out of my drawing tablet with movement, vitality and strength," Precious said. "The piece will be ever-changing from morning to night and from January to June."
Precious' art exists throughout private and corporate collections across the United States as well as Germany and China.
"Catalyst" was originally a gift from Virginia Ball honoring her late husband, Edmund F. Ball. After her death last fall, however, "Catalyst" became a memorial to them both.
When production of "Catalyst" first began, Virginia Ball said, " The commission of this sculpture is the most appropriate way I can think of to honor my late husband, Edmund F. Ball. It is my hope that "Catalyst" will continue to inspire the community to achieve great things."
Nancy B. Keilty, director of the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation, said that she hoped the structure would be a constant reminder of the Ball family's devotion for the community. As the daughter of Edmund F. Ball and Virginia Ball, Keilty remembered her parents through a tearful speech.
"By following my parents' lead, we can all be catalysts in our own right," Keilty said.
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