Muncie's only island was quiet on Sunday. Despite the planned art show that afternoon, there were only two people calmly enjoying smoothies at The Island Muncie. Owner Roger Conatser said this was how most of the art shows at the Island have turned out.
"The artists are few and far between, really," Conatser said. "It's usually one or none."
Conatser began Art on the Island in May, almost a year after he opened the tropical getaway. The Island Muncie, located by the Cardinal Greenway and McGalliard Road, serves fruit smoothies and offers a lush place to relax, complete with waterfalls and lounge chairs.
Art on the Island takes place every Sunday and allows any artists in Muncie to showcase their work by setting up all around the pseudo-island from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Customers can buy works of art or enjoy the sights while relaxing at the Island. Conatser said displaying art at the Island is beneficial to artists because the process is stress-free.
"There are no commission charges of any kind," he said.
Even with the free forum, Conatser said it has been a struggle registering enough artists to have Art on the Island every Sunday. He said the biggest problem is having nothing to show curious customers who come by expecting an art show.
"The problem has been getting people here on a consistent basis to display art so that people do come and maybe they'll come back or tell other people," Conatser said.
Tapping into the Ball State community is the main goal right now, Conatser said. He said he is hopeful because he is starting to receive feedback.
"I've had probably a dozen e-mails over the last few days asking for more details so I think next Sunday we'll probably see a few [more] people," he said.
Conatser said it is vital to get Ball State involved in Art on the Island because he believes there are many up and coming artists currently studying at Ball State.
"There are a lot of really talented people out there [at Ball State] that I'm sure would love to display their work," he said.
Graffiti artist Amber Colling, a Ball State freshman, has had one showcase at the Island so far. Colling said she hopes other student artists boost their confidence and start taking advantage of this unique form of display.
"A lot of [students] like to hide their art thinking it's not good when it's really good," she said.
Junior Michael Janney, a frequent visitor to The Island Muncie, is one of the many people who have not stopped by Art on the Island. Now that he's learned more about it, he plans on attending soon.
"It does sound very interesting," he said. "I'm definitely going to take my girlfriend. [It will] be nice to be outside seeing artists at work while also getting smoothies."
Conatser said he's optimistic about the future of Art on the Island. Sales at The Island Muncie in general have not been what he has hoped for, but he continues on because the customers who have discovered the hidden paradise have consistently had a tremendous response.
"I'll still do it because I think it's just a matter of getting that reoccurring word out," he said. "If [the artists] don't sell anything, they're not out anything other than their time. And it's not a bad place to hang out.
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