Pottery wheels, jazz musicians and culinary and visual artists filled the streets in a kaleidoscope of artistic activity as members of the Ball State University and Muncie communities came together Thursday night to celebrate the arts in the galleries and along the sidewalks of downtown Muncie.
For the sixth consecutive October, Ball State partnered with downtown Muncie galleries and merchants for the city's ArtsWalk, a special annual event in downtown Muncie to showcase the talented artists in the community. Downtown Development holds a cultural event each month called First Thursday, and ArtsWalk served as October's event.
"We've always left ArtsWalk open to visual or performing arts of many kinds, and this takes many shapes," Cheryl Crowder, program director for Downtown Development, said.
Crowder said she estimated there were 1,800 to 2,000 in attendance Thursday, noting the total attendance would be difficult to know as the event took place over an eight-block district.
Standing in front of The Blue Bottle coffee shop and enjoying the live music provided by a Ball State Jazz ensemble, Ball State University President Jo Ann Gora said she was very impressed by the turnout of Ball State students - not only the number observing the entertainment, but also by how many were displaying their talents.
"I think it's wonderful that we have so many talented students," Gora said. "It's not necessarily their major but it's something they enjoy, and when I looked over the calendar of tonight's events I was really impressed with how many Ball State students were participating."
Crowder said Ball State students play an important role in the continuing growth of the arts culture in Muncie.
"Students are a part of what can happen in this city. [ArtsWalk] is a celebration of what we can do artistically together," she said.
Crowder said the partnership between the university and downtown galleries was a great affiliation that could only improve the area's arts community. This partnership, she said, is growing and will hopefully continue for the foreseeable future.
"We can look forward to full and busy first weekend of October for many years to come," Crowder said.
Ball State art professor Sarojini Johnson said she enjoys ArtsWalk because it is a great way to pull the community together.
"I love it because our students can come," Johnson said. "And our community can come, and we can be here. Our children can be here. I just think it is a very vibrant event for us."
Animation graphics major Melissa Coffer spent the evening leaning over a pottery wheel along with other members of the Ball State Clay Guild. Coffer said she was impressed by the event and the turnout.
"It's really neat," Coffer said. "I'm glad that they are doing something like this."
Ron Rarick, a professor of art history at Ball State, said he agrees ArtsWalk is one of the better ways for members of the local community to get out and experience more of the area's culture.
"Muncie has found a number of ways to draw people together using the arts," Rarick said, "Cornerstone Center for the Arts is one, and this is another. It's a great way for people to get out and get acquainted with the galleries."
Students from Ivy Tech culinary school also carved radishes as part of gourmet and aesthetically pleasing dishes.
With all the talent on display during Thursday's ArtsWalk, Rarick said it was a good example of the strong art community developing in Muncie.
"We have literature, and there is music down the street, along with all kinds of visual arts. That kind of mutual support and cooperation," Rarick said, "is what kind of makes for a more vibrant art community."
--Amanda Junk contributed to this story.
Downtown Development holds a cultural event each month called First Thursday, and ArtsWalk served as October's event.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
