Art

Free Community Event

Celebrate the start of Black History Month with Minnetrista and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Team. This year’s theme, Celebrating Black Youth in the Fight for Civil Rights, honors the young leaders whose courage and advocacy continue to shape our communities. Enjoy activities, storytelling, community connections, and a Silent Auction in the lobby.

The School of Art invites you to an artist talk with Cheeny Celebrado-Royer as a part of our Visiting Artists and Designers series! This talk is free and open to the public.

About the Artist

Cheeny Celebrado-Royer (b. Naga City, Philippines) is a multidisciplinary artist working with found and discarded materials to create installations, sculptures, and drawings that explore precarity, memory, and displacement. Drawing from decaying architectures and chroma-key aesthetics, she maps fragments of space—wreckage, green or blue tape—into constellations of unstable time and place. Her work reimagines drawing as a form of mapping, assembling familiar-yet-elusive icons into landscapes shaped by liminality. Through building from residue, she explores what might resemble home—transient, cartographic, unresolved.

She is currently a studio fellow in the Whitney Museum of American Art Independent Study Program and serves as an Associate Professor in Experimental and Foundation Studies at the Rhode Island School of Design. She holds an MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art (Mount Royal School of Art). Her work has been exhibited at institutions including the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Walters Art Museum, Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, Columbia College, Louisiana Tech University School of Design, and the RISD Museum.

Indiana Poet Laureate Curtis L. Crisler to Showcase "Indiana Chitlin Circuit" and New Poetic Forms at Ball State University Libraries.

Ball State University Libraries and the Creative Writing program will host a unique evening of literary performance and innovation featuring Indiana Poet Laureate Curtis L. Crisler. The event, which is free and open to faculty, staff, students, and the local Muncie community, will take place in Bracken Library, Room 104 at 6:00 p.m.

The evening will highlight Crisler’s significant contribution to the literary world: the Indiana Chitlin Circuit and the sonastic poetry form- a form of poetry pioneered by Crisler. Joining Crisler for the performance will be distinguished faculty from Ball State’s Creative Writing program.

The Indiana Chitlin Circuit is inspired by the historical network of venues that supported Black entertainers during the Jim Crow era. Crisler’s "Indiana Chitlin Circuit" transforms history into a high-energy, collaborative performance.

During the event, Crisler will share a single microphone with Katy Didden, Associate Professor of English and Director of Creative Writing at Ball State University, and Brian Morrison, Associate Teaching Professor of English at Ball State University, in a "magical round-robin." Unlike a traditional reading, the poets do not choose their pieces in advance; instead, they respond in real-time to the work read by the person before them. This 20-minute improvisational session captures the "pride and verve" of the historical circuit, creating an atmosphere of spontaneous artistic excitement.

Curtis L. Crisler, born and raised in Gary, Indiana, is currently serving his second term as the Indiana Poet Laureate. He is a Professor of English at Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) and a celebrated activist for literacy.

"We are thrilled to welcome Professor Crisler to campus," says Nancy Abashian, Dean of Ball State University Libraries. "His work bridges the gap between Indiana’s rich history and the future of poetic form. This is a rare opportunity for our community to witness the 'soulful things' Crisler creates in a live, collaborative setting."

For more information about the event, please contact Amy Petts, Associate Dean for Strategic Engagement and Learning at Ball State University Libraries. For more information about Curtis L. Crisler, visit www.poetcrisler.com.

Parking on campus is available for free after 5:00 p.m. in yellow lots on weekdays. Visit here for more parking information.

Join us Wednesdays for a 6 week program to explore drawing materials & mediums. Be challenged through using familiar materials in new ways and new mediums you haven't had the chance to play with yet. 

Ages 9-13 will focus on quick sketches of common items in our space, fun prompts, and tips to learn the new materials. Every other week is a new drawing medium.

Ages 14-24 will focus on quick sketches of live figures and a deep dive on a still life with challenges and tips to get more out of the mediums. Each week is a new drawing medium and still life.

We look forward to drawing with you!

Bob Ross Painting Workshop

Learn Bob’s signature “wet-on-wet” technique from an experienced Certified Ross Instructor® and paint in the building where The Joy of Painting was filmed! Just bring yourself, and we will provide everything you need to have a wonderful time. Just like Bob said, “Let’s get crazy!”

This workshop is held in the Bob Ross Experience studio, which is only accessible by stairs. Painting workshops are open to participants ages 14 and up. Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Please note: 765.282.4848 for more information.

Join local educators and community leaders Minister Wilisha Scaife and Dr. Eva Zygmunt for an engaging exploration of the historic Whitely neighborhood—one of Muncie’s most culturally rich and community-driven areas. Together, they will share stories that illuminate Whitely’s legacy of resilience, mutual support, and civic leadership, while highlighting its ongoing role in shaping Muncie’s cultural identity.

This program builds on conversations inspired by the Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See exhibition and Black History Month, inviting guests to connect local history with present-day community life and social justice efforts. Delicious appetizers are included, and drinks can be purchased at our cash bar during the event. Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Learn Bob’s signature “wet-on-wet” technique from an experienced Certified Ross Instructor® and paint at Minnetrista! Just bring yourself, and we will provide everything you need to have a wonderful time. Just like Bob said, “Let’s get crazy!”

This workshop will take place in the Cantina, a ground-level, fully accessible space. Pre-registration is strongly preferred. Limited walk-in seating may be available, so please call ahead. Painting workshops are open to participants ages 14 and up.

Please note: 765.282.4848 for more information.

Instructor: Joseph Durham, CRI®, CRFI®

Learn Bob’s signature “wet-on-wet” technique from an experienced Certified Ross Instructor® and paint in the building where The Joy of Painting was filmed! Just bring yourself, and we will provide everything you need to have a wonderful time. Just like Bob said, “Let’s get crazy!”

This workshop is held in the Bob Ross Experience studio, which is only accessible by stairs. Painting workshops are open to participants ages 14 and up. Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Please note: 765.282.4848 for more information.

Join us Wednesdays for a 6 week program to explore drawing materials & mediums. Be challenged through using familiar materials in new ways and new mediums you haven't had the chance to play with yet. 

Ages 9-13 will focus on quick sketches of common items in our space, fun prompts, and tips to learn the new materials. Every other week is a new drawing medium.

Ages 14-24 will focus on quick sketches of live figures and a deep dive on a still life with challenges and tips to get more out of the mediums. Each week is a new drawing medium and still life.

We look forward to drawing with you!

Nora Krug Hand with Heart, 2021 Illustration for On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder, Ten Speed Press, 2021 Mixed media and collage on paper Collection of Nora Krug ©2021 Nora Krug

February 19 – June 13, 2026

Please note: DOMA will be closed February 28 – March 9 for Ball State's Spring Break.

Events related to this exhibition include:

• February 23: Exhibition Overview Tour for educators at 4:00 p.m.
• March 11: Public Artist Talk by Nora Krug at 6:00 p.m. (AT SURSA HALL)

“Images have political power, and they can change the way we think. Illustrating is also an act of witnessing: images compel us to notice and investigate, and at their best, they shed light on and at the same time critically confront the subjects they engage with.”

—Nora Krug

Award-winning artist Nora Krug’s powerful graphic memoir, Belonging: A German Reckons With History and Home, and her more recent book publication, an illustrated edition of Yale historian Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, are the focus of an exhibition at the David Owsley Museum of Art. Each book takes inspiration from the artist’s personal experiences as well as the events of history through engagement with deep topical research, museum artifacts and flea market finds, vintage photography, oral histories, and personal conversations, with the goal of trying to understand, reckon with, and depict the past in order to take something revelatory and useful away from it.

The exhibition was organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA, and curated by Stephanie Haboush Plunkett, Chief Curator.

This is a free letterpress printing event. No experience is necessary. Come select type and images from our collection to create your own unique print to take home. If you carve your own blocks feel free to bring them. Kids can join as long as an adult is with them. 

Join us for an exclusive Member Saturday at The Orchard Shop! Enjoy a special 20% discount on all merchandise (consignment pieces excluded) as a thank you for your support. Savor complimentary coffee, sample local treats, and shop new seasonal favorites—all while supplies last.

Not a member yet? Sign up today to enjoy all the perks!

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Tuesday, February 24, 1-4 p.m.
Cost: $55
Limited to 10 students
Registration required
Please register online at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

Apply lessons learned from painting marbles to a glass still life painting and create the illusion of transparent glass. You’ll use layering, overlay, and reflection techniques to give your masterpiece a marble glass sparkle and shine.

Instructor: Ann Johnson, local artist and former owner of F.B. Fog

Turn your imagination into wearable art! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll craft a copper or brass pendant using Precious Metal Clay (PMC)—a moldable clay made of real metal particles that transforms into solid metal when kiln-fired. Learn how to cut, texture, and layer your piece while working with the clay in both its wet and green (dry) stages. Finished pendants will be kiln-fired by the instructor and ready for pickup the following week.

All tools, supplies, and safety gear will be provided; please wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Happens on the following Dates:

• Feb 25, 2026, 2:00pm to 4:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
• Feb 26, 2026, 6:00pm to 8:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Turn your imagination into wearable art! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll craft a copper or brass pendant using Precious Metal Clay (PMC)—a moldable clay made of real metal particles that transforms into solid metal when kiln-fired. Learn how to cut, texture, and layer your piece while working with the clay in both its wet and green (dry) stages. Finished pendants will be kiln-fired by the instructor and ready for pickup the following week.

All tools, supplies, and safety gear will be provided; please wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Happens on the following Dates:

• Feb 25, 2026, 2:00pm to 4:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)
• Feb 26, 2026, 6:00pm to 8:30pm Timezone: Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Learn Bob’s signature “wet-on-wet” technique from an experienced Certified Ross Instructor® and paint in the building where The Joy of Painting was filmed! Just bring yourself, and we will provide everything you need to have a wonderful time. Just like Bob said, “Let’s get crazy!”

This workshop is held in the Bob Ross Experience studio, which is only accessible by stairs. Painting workshops are open to participants ages 14 and up. Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Please note: 765.282.4848 for more information.

Learn Bob’s signature “wet-on-wet” technique from an experienced Certified Ross Instructor® and paint in the building where The Joy of Painting was filmed! Just bring yourself, and we will provide everything you need to have a wonderful time. Just like Bob said, “Let’s get crazy!”

This workshop is held in the Bob Ross Experience studio, which is only accessible by stairs. Painting workshops are open to participants ages 14 and up. Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Please note: 765.282.4848 for more information.

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Tuesday, March 3, 1-4 p.m.
Cost: $55
Limited to 10 students
Registration required
Please register online at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

Ann guides artists in crafting a truly unique world of creative expression. You’ll explore a blend of drawing, painting, stamp-making, printing, and collage to create imaginative and refined portraits. Your artwork will show off your creativity.

Instructor: Ann Johnson, local artist and former owner of F.B. Fogg

Learn Bob’s signature “wet-on-wet” technique from an experienced Certified Ross Instructor® and paint in the building where The Joy of Painting was filmed! Just bring yourself, and we will provide everything you need to have a wonderful time. Just like Bob said, “Let’s get crazy!”

This workshop is held in the Bob Ross Experience studio, which is only accessible by stairs. Painting workshops are open to participants ages 14 and up. Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Please note: Admission to the Bob Ross Experience exhibition is not included with workshop registration. All attendees must be registered to participate. Contact our front desk at 765.282.4848 for more information.

Learn Bob’s signature “wet-on-wet” technique from an experienced Certified Ross Instructor® and paint in the building where The Joy of Painting was filmed! Just bring yourself, and we will provide everything you need to have a wonderful time. Just like Bob said, “Let’s get crazy!”

This workshop is held in the Bob Ross Experience studio, which is only accessible by stairs. Painting workshops are open to participants ages 14 and up. Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Please note: 765.282.4848 for more information.

Enjoy tea and light refreshments as Diego Fajardo, Collections Manager at the Museum of Miniature Houses in Carmel, Indiana, shares the fascinating evolution of miniatures in the United States over the past century. From early collectors to contemporary artists, he’ll explore how these tiny works reflect shifting cultural values and artistic practices. Diego will also discuss the unique challenges of caring for and exhibiting miniatures within a museum setting.

Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Learn Bob’s signature “wet-on-wet” technique from an experienced Certified Ross Instructor® and paint in the building where The Joy of Painting was filmed! Just bring yourself, and we will provide everything you need to have a wonderful time. Just like Bob said, “Let’s get crazy!”

This workshop is held in the Bob Ross Experience studio, which is only accessible by stairs. Painting workshops are open to participants ages 14 and up. Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

Please note: 765.282.4848 for more information.

Go behind-the-scenes with the Collections team on an engaging tour exploring the rich history of social clubs and service organizations in the region. Discover stories of camaraderie, civic engagement, and community service as you see a captivating collection of artifacts highlighting the vital role these groups played in shaping local society.

This tour may include standing, stairs, and exposure to loud HVAC noise. Preregistration is strongly preferred; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead. If you need accommodations, please notify us in advance.

Join pysanky artist Carol Powers to learn the centuries-old art of Ukrainian wax-resist egg dyeing. Carol is part of a five-generation lineage of pysanky makers, having learned from her aunt, who learned from her grandmother—who brought the tradition with her when she immigrated from Ukraine. In this hands-on workshop, Carol will demonstrate traditional techniques and guide participants step-by-step as they create their own pysanky egg. While often associated with Easter, pysanky carry deep cultural significance as gifts symbolizing friendship, love, and protection.

All tools and supplies will be provided. Preregistration is required; limited walk-in tickets may be available—please call ahead.

E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center

Wednesday, April 15, 1-3 p.m.
Cost: $45
Limited to 10 students
Reservations required
Please register online at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/BALL_EMS057

Learn how using opposites or complementary elements can make your painting more dramatic and complete. In this class, you’ll explore contrast while using a goose—or a gaggle of geese—as your subject. Discover how to effectively handle a strong foreground subject when you’re unsure what to do with the background, and uncover your own “golden egg” for successful painting.

Instructor: Ann Johnson, local artist and former owner of F.B. Fogg

During the Brink of Summer event, come watch artists and creatives make giant prints using a steamroller. Weather allowing this event will be held in the parking lot on the corner of Walnut and Adams. There will be interactive parts for the general public as well.