Ball State University students, faculty and Muncie residents got in touch with their inner artists Thursday at ArtsWalk, a downtown event showcasing creative endeavors.
Curious art fans lined Walnut and Main streets, ducking in galleries, restaurants and other local businesses to see what was on display. Many shops brought in special exhibits by local artists and musicians.
The ArtsWalk program, in its sixth year, highlights the talent that exists in the community, event co-chair Cheryl Crowder said.
"It's a good opportunity to expose people to all the wonderful venues we have downtown," she said.
Crowder has worked on ArtsWalk since its inception and said it has grown each year.
Chickqiela Elbert from ArtWorks, a gallery that had a visiting artist and refreshments for ArtWalkers this year, said there was a bigger crowd than in the past, partly because of the beautiful weather.
"It's exciting that all the businesses here are cooperating and putting this on," she said.
This year, the Muncie Indiana Transit System ran a special trolley loop to transport Ball State students downtown, Crowder said.
Junior art major April Bey said the trolley was a good idea.
"They're making it easier for students to get [downtown]," she said.
Bey and fellow junior art major Danielle Krapinski said some of their favorite sites at the event were the displays at The Artist Within, a local gallery, and the student art exhibits.
Krapinski said she was glad Ball State was working to promote student art at the event.
"It's helping the art program grow," she said. "More people are getting into it."
They said another favorite exhibit was the ceramics demonstration put on by the Clay Guild, a Ball State club dedicated to ceramic arts. The club president Kyle Rees said the group had given displays at ArtsWalk in past years, but added live demonstrations using pottery wheels this year.
Rees said this was also the first year the club used a special method called raku firing, where they fired their pottery on site in trash cans.
A Muncie belly dancing troupe, groups from Ball State modern dance classes and a student improvisational theater group called Reflex gave performances during the four-hour event.
The musical arts were also represented by Ball State organizations and local musicians. The Ball State Jazz Ensemble and Tuba Ensemble drew crowds on the street, and several local musicians performed within shops, galleries and restaurants.
Downtown venues offered a selection of foods to ArtsWalk patrons. Many shops had refreshments available, and cafes and restaurants had specials. The Hot Dog Man, a Ball State student favorite, was also present.
The Atrium Gallery in the Art and Journalism Building was also open into the evening to showcase student art.
Junior English studies major Kim Bortnem said she had not been to ArtsWalk before and that she was impressed by what she saw. She thought it was good that Ball State was reaching out to downtown Muncie.
"I'm really excited because it's something that caught my attention off campus," she said. "I think it's good for the community."
The technological arts were also represented at ArtsWalk through the Ball State Immersion Studio at Mitchell Place. Onlookers donned 3D glasses and listened to interactive music pieces designed by students.
Crowder said she loves when Ball State and downtown businesses work together as they did for this event.
"We really do consider Ball State as part of this community," she said.
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