June 29
The Minnetrista Cultural Center dedicated its new memorial,"Catalyst," on Thursday with a celebration that included a numberof family activities and events for children. The Edmund F. andVirginia B. Ball Foundation gave "Catalyst" as a gift toMinnetrista. "Catalyst" is the tallest free-standing sculpture inIndiana.
During the event, a bluegrass band played music while studentvolunteers handed out free ice cream. The center even set upstations for children to create their own "Catalyst"sculptures.
Recent Ball State graduate Karen Ailes works as a culturalinterpreter at Minnetrista. During the dedication, she oversaw thestation that allowed children to create sculptures.
"The kids get to use materials similar to those in thestructure," Ailes said. "By using rocks, plastic and clay, they canmake 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 atlimestone carving and chiseling.
Anamarie Booher, 8, practiced her artistic skills at thededication. She said she created three clay sculptures in 30minutes and planned to make more.
Ball State senior Katie Carlson attended the event and said bylooking 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 thingsEd and Virginia did for the Muncie community," Carlson said.
During the dedication, "Catalyst" artist Beverly StuckerPrecious said the sculpture was a tribute to the spirit of the Ballfamily and she hoped all visitors to Minnetrista would be able toenjoy "Catalyst" for years to come.
"'Catalyst' sprang out of my drawing tablet with movement,vitality and strength," Precious said. "The piece will beever-changing from morning to night and from January to June."
Precious' art exists throughout private and corporatecollections across the United States as well as Germany andChina.
"Catalyst" was originally a gift from Virginia Ball honoring herlate 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 canthink of to honor my late husband, Edmund F. Ball. It is my hopethat "Catalyst" will continue to inspire the community to achievegreat things."
Nancy B. Keilty, director of the Edmund F. and Virginia B. BallFoundation, said that she hoped the structure would be a constantreminder of the Ball family's devotion for the community. As thedaughter of Edmund F. Ball and Virginia Ball, Keilty remembered herparents through a tearful speech.
"By following my parents' lead, we can all be catalysts in ourown right," Keilty said.
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