Downtown Muncie is home to several art studios and galleries featuring both local and regional artists. These galleries provide the community with new exhibits, showcasing various types of artistic works each month. Many different do-it-yourself art opportunities are also offered for those looking to embrace their own creativity.
Gallery 308, located on Main Street, features local artists from Muncie and surrounding Delaware County. Their current exhibit, "10th Annual Gallery 308 Members Show," features 24 different artists, each displaying three of their chosen pieces. Among featured artists is Ball State photojournalism professor Ken Heinen.
"We have quilts, watercolors, sculpture - a wide range. It's a very eclectic collection," Jessie Creselious, a gallery volunteer and artist, said.
Each month the gallery features a new exhibit and the current exhibit will run until July 25. Many exhibits also feature student artists. December's "Senior Show" gallery will showcase works of art by graduating Ball State students.
A few blocks away from Gallery 308 is the ArtWorks Gallery of Indiana Artists, located on Walnut Street. The shop showcases handmade glass beads and jewelry, woodworking, drawings, photography, paintings, pottery, felt, fabric and knitted goods, among other works of art by local and regional artists.
"There is something new each time you come in," Mary Carmichael, a participating artist and volunteer, said. "The artists try to present new stuff on a fairly regular basis."
In addition to the displayed work, ArtWorks will be offering classes and workshops in the fall for the public to make their own works of art. Opportunities for those looking for other artistic outlet options can also be found at The Artist Within, located on Walnut Street as well.
The Artist Within offers paint-your-own pottery and a bead bar for making jewelry. "We have pottery pieces ranging from $6 to $40," Sarah Barnes, an Artist Within employee, said, "plus a studio fee, but that allows you access to more than 100 different colored glazes."
The gallery also offer stamps, stencils, sponges and a staff willing to teach you new painting techniques. "We have several different ways to help people really bring out that artist within," Barnes said.
The gallery has two pottery wheels and offers wheel time on both. For those who are inexperienced, classes on throwing pottery are available. In addition, the studio offers jewelry-making classes.
The Artist Within also features a local artist each month. This month, Hartford City photographer Mary McVicker's photographs are hanging on the walls of the studio.
All three studios - Gallery 308, Artworks Gallery and The Artist Within - participate in The First Thursday Gallery Walk. The walk features the opening of the newest featured exhibits, artists and pieces from the various downtown art galleries and studios. Many of the participants offer free refreshments and live entertainment at these opening receptions, with opportunities to meet the artists. The Gallery Walk takes place on the first Thursday of each month from 5 to 8 p.m. and the next one will be on August 6.
Gallery 308Location: Main StreetBest known for: Featuring pieces ranging from watercolor paintings to quilts by local artists from Muncie and surrounding counties.Quick fact: The gallery features a new exhibit each month. Gallery 308 also has "Senior Show" in December to feature graduating Ball State seniors.
ArtWorksLocation: Walnut StreetBest known for: Wide variety of mediums including jewelry, woodworking, drawings, photography, paintings, pottery, felt, fabric and knitted goods.Quick fact: ArtWorks offers workshops and classes for inspiring artists to create their own pieces.
The Artist WithinLocation: Walnut StreetBest known for: Providing numerous different supplies when teaching students art techniques. Quick fact: The Artist Within features an individual artist each month in their gallery. They are featuring photographer Mary McVickers in July.
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