Ball State to contribute to Muncie ArtsWalk

Several architecture and urban planning students will bring some of what they learned from Latin America to the streets of downtown Muncie at today's ArtsWalk.

“We chose as a collective to do this exhibit not only to document our trip, but also to raise awareness of the relevance of Latin American design," said Laura Kapp, a senior architecture major. “It is my hope that the exhibition will spark the interest of others to investigate the culture deeper and to be inspired by [it].”

Kapp was part of an architecture trip that went to Argentina, Portugal, Ecuador and Spain during this past summer.

Of the 33 events at ArtsWalk, 10 are affiliated with Ball State, including an exhibition from the Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts, performances by Ball State music ensembles and various displays of artwork from both students and faculty.

Alexandre Mballa-Ekobena, a senior architecture major, said the diverse exhibits at ArtsWalk will help people learn more about subjects they wouldn't normally be introduced to.

“It’s a good way to expose yourself to different schools of thoughts and ideas,” Mballa-Ekobena said of attending ArtsWalk. “[You grow] when you challenge yourself to something from the outside.”

Ted Neal, an associate professor of art, will demonstrate how to work a pottery wheel at the event. He said ArtsWalk is a good way for students to see the culture of the city they live in and it gives him a chance to showcase his work.

“[ArtsWalk] is a way to stay in contact with the community and to make people aware of what we do as artists.” Neal said.

Cheryl Crowder, event director for the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, said the idea was about the community's presentation of art.

“The idea was for the community to [present art] as a whole,” she said. “It’s a way to connect [to] and understand the beauty of where you are.”

Connecting to the community can also present unexpected opportunities.

“In the short time I have lived here I have seen small projects explode into events that have changed the community permanently for the better,” she said. “Muncie is our home for the time that we are here, and it is our responsibility to make this home the best it can be.”

ArtsWalk isn’t only about the arts. During the event, downtown restaurants and bars will participate in Soup Crawl where participants can try different soups after buying tickets. All the proceeds will go to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Ellie Fawcett, a member of an immersive learning project entitled “The Infinite Museum,” encouraged students to attend ArtsWalk to support not only the arts, but the city as well.

“It’s always important for everyone to support arts in the community,” Fawcett said. “Ball State students are a very large part of the Muncie community, it’s good for them to get out and get involved.”

Read More

‘Carry forward the torch of liberation’

By WaTasha Barnes Griffin / 21 hours ago

Watasha Barnes Griffin of YWCA Central Indiana stands by the commitment to eliminate racism and empower women in Muncie and Delaware County.

---

Ball State women’s basketball loses to Kent State in battle of toughness

By Elijah Poe / Yesterday

The Ball State women's basketball (20-6, 12-2 MAC) lost to Kent State (17-10, 8-6 MAC), 60-54, their second consecutive loss in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

---

Sustaining plant life through harsh winter months

By Stephanie Weaver / 2 days ago

Sparky’s Corner Greenhouse holds a variety of plants throughout the backyard of business owner Jeffrey Brubaker.