2024 Columns #1

issue no. 1, 2024 | minnetrista member magazine

The

page 3

Exploring Space Through The Heritage Collection pages 4 & 5

IT ’S

TOTALITY COOL pages 6 & 7

Ball Stores Returns pages 8 & 9

Enhance Your Business Through Sponsorship page 10

a

note

columns

from Brian

Hello friends of Minnetrista, If you ever receive an email from me, you may notice two things: (1) at least one spell-check-defying typo (sorry), and (2) that I start out the email asking if you and your family are well. The typos are mine alone, but the question about you and your family is something I copied from a colleague years ago. It’s a way of saying that no matter what business issue I’m writing about, there are other things that matter much more.

With that in mind—I hope you, your family, and your friends are well. We have exciting days ahead at Minnetrista! As you may have heard, we “brought back brunch” at Minnetrista— a time for excellent food and even better company. You can find more information in this issue about our exceptional hospitality team.

We are also preparing for the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8 and will offer family-oriented eclipse-themed events for you to enjoy, including collaborations with the Ball State Department of Theatre & Dance, Muncie Children’s Museum, NASA Ambassador Sarah Vise, and Orchestra Indiana.

Orchestra Indiana will perform a concert on our East Lawn early in the evening on Sunday, April 7, which will be broadcast by Ball State Public Media. Please check our website for more information as our Magic at Minnetrista eclipse weekend approaches.

Later in April, we will open a new original exhibition dedicated to the Ball Stores and their impact on our community. You may have enjoyed Karen Vincent’s delightful book about the Ball Stores (now on sale in our Orchard Shop). You may have also heard stories about Ball Stores from your relatives, and you may

meet the

Editor Jennifer Parks-Strack Designer Jeremy Pittsford

have fond memories yourself. Whatever the case, we think you will love this new exhibition, opening Saturday, April 27 in our Center Building. In speaking with our members and others in the community, what strikes me most is that the stories are not about anything anyone purchased at the stores, but rather the experience of being there—visiting as a child with a parent and hiding in the clothes racks, seeing the woman with her elegant gloves who operated the elevator, being in the line of cars to see the holiday window displays and more. The Ball Stores were an important part of the fabric of this community, and we are excited to share our exhibition with you.

I hope I see you at one of our exhibitions, brunches, the Magic at Minnetrista eclipse weekend, the Muncie Arbor Day event at Minnetrista (including our new 5K run/walk event), or during our Garden Fair signature event. Please let me know what thoughts and questions you have about Minnetrista—we are excited about our future, and it means the world to us to have members who care enough about our museum and gardens to give us their time and input. You can contact me at any time at bstatz@ minnetrista.net or 765. 287.3501.

Thank you for being a friend to Minnetrista!

Brian Statz president & ceo

staff

With over a decade of expertise in the green industry and public horticulture, James Edwards, Associate Director of Horticulture, has served as a dedicated community-engaged horticulturist since 2016. As an active board member of Community Enhancement Projects and a participant in the Urban Forestry Committee, James leads the Muncie Arbor Day Celebration steering committee and contributes to community events, programs, and beautification projects. Outside of work, James and his family find balance and enjoyment in creating memorable travel experiences. A lover of live music, good food, and the outdoors, James embraces a well-rounded life.

Brea Cunningham, Associate Director of Communications, is a seasoned communicator with a passion for strategic storytelling and brand development. With over a decade of experience in the field, Brea has honed her expertise in crafting compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. Outside of her professional endeavors, Brea is an avid traveler, scuba diver, and volunteer firefighter, always seeking inspiration from new cultures and landscapes. If she’s not working, you can find her exploring Indiana with her dog, River.

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Contributing Writers Brea Cunningham, AD of Communications Sebastián Encina, AD of Curation & Exhibitions Lindsey Horan, VP of Community Engagement Kirsten Novotny, Theatre & Events Manager Jennifer Parks-Strack, AD of Development Mindy Price, Collections Manager Tania Said, VP of Exhibitions & Programs Susan Smith, Archivist Brian Statz, President & CEO Natalie Young, AD of Experience & Education Photographers Chris Carroll Chloe Newman ISSN: 2152-6176 Columns magazine is published three times each year and distributed by Minnetrista without charge to its members.

Comments or questions should be directed to Jennifer Parks-Strack at 765.287.3504, or jparks-strack@minnetrista.net.

1200 North Minnetrista Parkway Muncie, IN 47303–2925 © 2024, Minnetrista

Thank you to our

columns

sponsor.

future

the of hospitality at minnetrista! by brea cunningham, associate director of communications Nestled in the heart of Minnetrista, our vision for hospitality goes beyond catered meals and weddings.

It is a feeling of warmth and community, offering visitors a genuine haven that feels like a home away from home. Brunch at Minnetrista is helping to lead the way to reimagining hospitality as we know it.

This revival of a popular past offering serves as a reminder of how our community can connect, interact, and share experience.

From its humble beginnings as a weekend indulgence, brunch has now become a cultural cornerstone, catering to diverse tastes, lifestyles, and culinary trends with innovative menus and concepts. As you step into the Center Building of Minnetrista for Brunch, you are enveloped in an atmosphere filled with the aroma of sweet and savory delights. The friendly staff members are more than just service providers; they are ambassadors of warmth, ready to ensure that every guest feels welcomed.

The return of Brunch at Minnetrista represents a significant societal trend where people are returning to communal experiences and shared moments following the COVID-19 pandemic. In an age marked by digital connections and fast-paced lifestyles, the simple act of gathering around a table to enjoy a leisurely meal becomes a poignant affirmation of human connection. By incorporating community tables, Brunch at Minnetrista fosters an environment where strangers or smaller groups have the option to share dining spaces with each other, encouraging social interaction, networking, and a convivial atmosphere.

Come join us for

brunch April 21 May 19 June 16 August 18

September 8 October 20 November 17 December 15

In the bustling halls of Minnetrista, the return of brunch signifies a shift in community. As visitors gather around tables adorned with delicious treats, they’re not just sharing food—they’re sharing stories, laughter, and the simple pleasures of being in each other’s company. In a world that often feels fragmented and disjointed, places like Minnetrista offer a beacon of hope—a reminder that, no matter how complex life may seem, the warmth of hospitality can always bring us closer together.

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exploring by mindy price, collections manager and susan smith, archivist

space through the

Minnetrista began collecting space history shortly after we opened, largely due to Ball family interests and company involvement. Ball Brothers Company, later Ball Corporation, became involved in aerospace technology in 1956, after purchasing a small company called Control Cells.

Ball established a new division, Ball Solar Pointing Control Model 100 Brothers Research Corporation, that eventually became Ball Aerospace. Initially, the company built pointing controls for military rockets. These devices regulate the orientation of aerospace equipment. Their solar pointing controls aided in the study of ultraviolet radiation.

Over the years Ball Aerospace won numerous contracts with NASA to develop various technological components including some of their first spacecraft, the Orbiting Solar Observatory (OSO) satellites.

Beginning in 1962, this series of satellites were used to study the sun and its effects on the planet. Eight versions were built, and the program resulted in several “firsts” in satellite technology: a control system called dual spin which allowed specific instruments to perform different tasks simultaneously, a Orbiting Solar Observatory prototype component that minimized satellite wobble, various parts that could operate in space for an extended period of time, and the ability to observe the sun’s corona for the first time.

Another solar satellite project was the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) (below right), built to study the cycle of energy from the sun to the earth and its radiation back

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Earth Radiation Budget Satellite development in a Ball cleanroom

into space. This was part of NASA’s climatology program, studying long-term weather patterns, and the natural and man-made effects on weather. ERBS was launched in 1984 on the Space Shuttle Challenger and retired in 2005. It was the first spacecraft specifically designed to be launched from a shuttle.

This (below right) is a NASA-authenticated fragment from Skylab, America’s first experimental space station.

Launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on May 14, 1973, Skylab orbited the Earth 34,981 times and traveled almost one billion miles. The objectives for Skylab were to prove that humans could live and work in space for extended periods and to expand our knowledge of solar astronomy. Three trios of astronaut crews successfully traveled to and occupied the space station for a total of 171 days and 13 hours before it was abandoned in 1974. After Skylab’s orbit decayed, the space station reentered the Earth’s atmosphere on July 11, 1979, and showered debris over Western Australia and the Indian Ocean. Skylab laid the foundations for programs on the International Space Station and future missions to the Moon and Mars, and this fragment is a reminder of early aerospace innovation and success.

This is a model of the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), which was the first telescope to survey the entire night sky at infrared wavelengths. The IRAS mission was a joint project of the space programs of the United States (NASA), the Netherlands (NIVR), and the United Kingdom (SERC). Ball Aerospace, Fokker, and Hollandse Signaal manufactured the spacecraft properties.

Infrared Astronomical Satellite Model

heritage collection IRAS launched on January 25, 1983, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, and the mission lasted for ten months. The success of IRAS and early infrared space astronomy led to future missions on the Space Shuttle, the Infrared Space Observatory, and the Hubble Space Telescope.

of 1993. This commemorative medal (below) belonged to Cary Glenn Rowe, a former Ball Aerospace employee who worked on the project. It was later acquired by Richard Cole, a former Ball Corporation engineer and Minnetrista Curator of Industrial and Business History.

Minnetrista founder and former President of On August 17, 2023, Ball Corporation announced Ball Brothers Company Edmund F. Ball was that it had reached an agreement to sell its passionate about the company’s work in aerospace business to BAE Systems for gross aerospace technology. Ed Ball received proceeds of $5.6 billion. The transaction is this NASA Launch Guest pin (right) when projected to close in the first half of 2024. Ball he visited the Kennedy Space Center on Corporation intends to focus their efforts on April 24, 1990 for the launch of Discovery aluminum packaging and sustainability. and the deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope, the 35th mission of NASA’s Space Thanks to generous donations from Ball Shuttle program. Since its launch, Hubble Corporation, Edmund F. Ball, Richard Cole, and has delivered incredible discoveries and detailed NASA Launch Guest Pin Bonnie McClain, these artifacts and photographs from images of space. To date there have been five servicing Ball Aerospace and NASA are part of the Heritage Collection. missions whereby NASA astronauts repaired and upgraded Be sure to stop by before Sunday, April 14, to see some of the technological instruments. Ball Aerospace built seven those donations on display in the atrium cases outside of the science instruments for Hubble, five of which are still in Gallery 2 exhibition Life on the Edge! use. The most impressive of these is the Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement (COSTAR) which If you would like to discuss donating a piece of space helped correct Hubble’s hazy vision. COSTAR was history, please contact Mindy Price, Collections Manager, installed along with JPL’s WFPC-2 camera during the at mprice@minnetrista.net or Susan Smith, Archivist, at first servicing mission in December ssmith@minnetrista.net.

Skylab fragment

Scan to browse our entire collection or visit minnetrista.net/heritage-collection

Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball at Kennedy Space Center, 1984

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’ IT S TOTALITY COOL MINNETRISTA PRESENTS THREE DAYS OF ECLIPSE LEARNING AND FUN by tania said, vice president of exhibitions & programs with kirsten novotny, theatere & events manager and natalie young, associate director of experience & education

On Monday, April 8, there will be a once-in-alifetime total solar eclipse in Muncie, Indiana and other communities in the path of totality.

It will be a beautiful, memorable event and a spectacle to enjoy with friends and neighbors.

Thousands of people are expected to come to Muncie and our region, so stay close to home and enjoy what Minnetrista Museum & Gardens has to offer over the first weekend in April!

WHAT IS A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE?

When the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, it completely blocks the face of the Sun, leaving those in the path of totality in complete darkness for a few minutes.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO SEE?

The skies will darken gradually between 1:52 p.m. and lighten again by 4:24 p.m. Totality, or the period of time of where the Moon completely blocks the face of the Sun, will last for 3 minutes and 48 seconds in Muncie, between 3:07:34 p.m. and 3:11:22 p.m. It will be eerily quiet as animal and human life adjust to the phenomena. Scientists will use this time to study the Sun’s atmosphere, which is known as the corona.

HOW CAN YOU SAFELY VIEW THE ECLIPSE?

Safely viewing the solar eclipse is very important. Scott Davis, a NASA Solar System Ambassador from Yorktown, recently provided

For up to date information, visit: minnetrista.net/solar-eclipse

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some valuable eclipse viewing advice at the member opening of Life on the Edge, on view through April 14, 2024.

Mr. Davis reminds viewers that the 3 minutes and 48 seconds of totality are the only safe time to look at the eclipse without solar filters.

It is never safe to look at the sun without solar filters during the other phases of the eclipse, including with our cameras and smart phones, which also need filters. So, it’s best to keep your special viewing glasses handy, which are available from The Orchard Shop, and don’t remove them before or after totality. As you prepare for the eclipse, check your viewing glasses to ensure they are not damaged so you can view the eclipse safely.

“Even if it is cloudy, it will still get dark. It will be the experience of a lifetime, shared with millions of others all looking at the sky and contemplating humanity ’s place in the cosmos.” -Scott Davis

MAGIC AT MINNETRISTA The Total Solar Eclipse History Day | April 6 Celebrate humankind’s history of looking up with family-friendly activities, including constellation-making and story-telling crafts, as well as a sun catcher coloring activity.

Visitors will be encouraged to explore our solar system, learn about planets, and complete their intergalactic passport as they journey down Minnetrista’s historic boulevard. The Muncie Children’s Museum will help future astronauts prepare for the eclipse by making solar viewing crowns, offering space-themed sensory bins, and more. Local author and illustrator Laurie Lunsford will read her book The Solar Eclipse is Coming and display her original artwork.

NASA Solar System Ambassador Sarah Vise will share her expertise, and visitors can attend a 20-minute performance of the world premiere of A Golden Curve of Light, an eclipse-themed one-act play written by award-winning playwright, Jennifer Blackmer.

The Total Solar Eclipse of the Arts | April 7 Afternoon activities facilitated by Minnetrista and Muncie Children’s Museum staff will include coloring sun catchers, making solar viewing crowns, and exploring sensory bins.

Visitors will also be encouraged to learn about the solar system while journeying down Minnetrista’s historic boulevard to complete their intergalactic passport. That evening, Minnetrista and Orchestra Indiana will present Eclipsed: A Magical Night of Music. Visitors are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and

picnic blankets to revel in celestial-themed musical selections. Local arts partners and food trucks will be on hand to round out the evening.

The Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Party | April 8 Explore both our solar system and Minnetrista’s historic boulevard via our intergalactic passport, make a moving model of the Moon passing between the Earth and the Sun, and color sun catchers as a fun memento of the day! Make solar viewing crowns, enjoy spacethemed sensory bins, and more with Muncie Children’s Museum. Local author and illustrator Laurie Lunsford will read her book The Solar Eclipse is Coming and display her original artwork, and the Muncie Astronomy Club will be on-site to provide expertise. Visitors can also attend an encore performance of A Golden Curve of Light. After the activities, visitors can claim their spots on our expansive lawns and prepare to experience the eclipse totality event at our Community Viewing Party!

This work is supported by the Simons Foundation and is part of its ‘In the Path of Totality’ initiative funded through the Association of Science and Technology Centers.

Magic at Minnetrista is supported by

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The Ball Stores Return for a Special Appearance by sebastián encina, associate director of curation & exhibition

On October 19, 1934, Indiana Secretary of State, Frank Mayr, Jr., signed the Articles of Incorporation establishing the new Ball Stores. With that, a new chapter commenced in Muncie and eventually Marion. Over the course of the next 50 years, the Ball Stores became an anchor in the communities it served, the places to go for shopping and events. From 1934 until 1989, shoppers could count on Ball Stores to find groceries, fashion, Boy Scouts gear, luggage, register for their wedding, and have The iconic Ball Stores wrapping paper that will a bite to eat. influence the exhibition’s design.

Historian Karen Vincent recounts these stories and memories with her 2023 publication, Ball Stores: East Central Indiana’s Shopping Center. Ms. Vincent weaves together over half a century of history in one book, bringing to light the beginnings of the store, its transition in leadership, the multitude of aspects that set it apart from competitors, and the regretful closing after so many years of impact on residents’ lives. The community has never forgotten Ball Stores as it still holds a special place in the hearts of residents. The publication of Ball Stores has rekindled memories about the company, their or their family’s time working there, and what it meant to shop at Ball Stores.

Ninety years after Ball Stores was founded and 35 years after Ball Stores shuttered, Minnetrista will bring these stories to life with the exhibition Ball Stores. The exhibition will be available in the Heritage Collection Gallery, located on the ground level of the Center Building. Borrowing heavily from the Ball Stores book, the Ball Stores exhibition will dive deeper into the accounts that made the store an experience and such a fixture in the community. Through original objects and historical images, we aim to ensure visitors get a complete sense of what the store meant to longtime residents of Muncie and Marion.

At its core, the Ball Stores exhibition is a story about people. A department store can sell clothing and donuts and fine china to the masses, but what set Ball Stores apart was its connection to the community through the people it served. Ball Stores is a story about Muncie and Marion. Every person who walked through the doors either as a customer or employee contributed to the legacy of Ball Stores. Minnetrista tells these stories by focusing on some of the parts that made up the whole. Some of these include the individuals who made Ball Stores unique, the advertising that helped it stand out, the services it offered, and the special events held within its walls such as fashion shows and visiting literary figures. There is a treasure trove of material to dive into.

Additionally, the exhibition will bring back some nostalgic memories and favorites. The iconic brown plaid paper will definitely make an appearance, as will The Ball Stores store sign that hung outside the Collegienne.

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the gift boxes that bear the same design. We will do our best to recreate the window displays and how they changed by the season. This holiday season we will refresh the exhibition to evoke the memories of Christmas past through holiday-related photographs and displays.

Of course, there isn’t enough space on a page or wall to share all that Ball Stores meant to everyone in the community. However, we don’t want that to limit us. Therefore, we are including a section for our visitors to leave their own stories. We want to know what Ball Stores meant to you, what memories you have, what a visit entailed. We welcome your additions and want to hear from you. Share your memories with us at info@minnetrista.net and we will look to incorporate your contributions into the exhibition.

Though clientele skewed primarily to females, Ball Stores carried fashion for men and children as well.

Minnetrista is excited to bring this slice of Muncie and Marion history to life. Muncie is a special place full of interesting stories and people. We are delighted to have the opportunity to bring you even a fraction of what has happened here. With so much rich history to be told, we are not at a loss for what to display. Be sure to return to the exhibition often to see what other tales we recount.

Opens April 27, 2024 Stay tuned for information about an exhibition in Marion!

In partnership with

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your

enhance business’s visibility and impact through sponsorship by lindsey horan, vice president of community engagement Every business has marketing goals. Today, many are also looking for unique ways to make a positive impact in the communities in which they operate. Minnetrista Museum & Gardens offers businesses the opportunity to meet both of these goals, enhancing brand visibility and community impact through sponsorships. Businesses that donate provide critical support to our mission of celebrating the region’s heritage and boosting its cultural vibrancy and they receive myriad business-boosting benefits in return.

The hallmark of Minnetrista sponsorships is the exposure businesses receive to our large audience of visitors.

Sponsors are prominently featured in advertising materials, ensuring that their brand reaches our diverse audience across the region. From families with young children, to art-loving adult audiences, our team is happy to work with you to determine which offering will deliver your brand to your target audience.

Sponsors also receive access to a variety of tangible benefits that can be shared with staff, customers, clients, and partners as the sponsor wishes. These benefits include passes to sponsored programs, invitations to exclusive events, and family memberships.

Each partnership is unique, and businesses can choose from a variety of available options each year: Signature Events like Faeries, Sprites, & Lights and Enchanted Luminaria Walk offer the opportunity to be seen by thousands of visitors over just a few days and include lead-up promotions to help extend the visibility.

Exhibitions run an average of 3.5 months and offer sustained recognition throughout those showings.

Program sponsorships are available at a variety of price points and frequently offer the opportunity to get repeated exposure across a whole year.

Minnetrista also offers exclusive Publication sponsorships, allowing a company to present a year’s worth of Events & Activities Guides or Member newsletters.

The newest addition to the portfolio includes some popular Campus Spaces, allowing companies to support favorite destinations like the Backyard Garden and the Nature Area!

Sponsorships start at just $1,000 and benefits are customized to meet each businesses particular needs and goals. By supporting Minnetrista’s offerings, sponsors play a crucial role in enriching the cultural experiences of tens of thousands of visitors who flock to Minnetrista each year. Want to learn more?

Contact Jennifer Parks-Strack at jparks-strack@minnetrista.net or 765.287.3504.

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nature

celebrate at our upcoming events

2024 minnetrista board of

Minnetrista comes alive in the spring! The flowers start to bloom and we see more visitors enjoying the beautiful campus. Join us for these upcoming spring events.

Arbor Day Celebration April 27, 9 a.m–Noon Come together with Minnetrista, Muncie’s Urban Forestry Committee, and our community partners for the Muncie Arbor Day celebration featuring a sapling giveaway.

Whether you need help planting a sapling, advice on selecting the perfect tree and its ideal location, or want to take part in a free raffle to win a tree, gardening tools, and other great prizes—you are in for an informative and enjoyable experience!

John Anderson Ball State University

Chuck Reynolds Muncie Community Schools

Ed Armantrout (Vice Chair) Civic Leader

Matt Rust Civic Leader

Candace Bankovich Muncie Power Products

Jeff Scott Ivy Tech Community College

Jake Benn IU Health–Ball Memorial Hospital

Sara Shade Hamilton (Vice Chair) Beasley & Gilkison, LLP

Faye Chechowich Civic Leader

Steve Slavin Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group

Nancy Dayton Taylor University

Steve Smith Mid-West Metal Products

Ermalene Faulkner Civic Leader

Brian Statz President & CEO Minnetrista

Dr. Tim Fox Anderson University

Run for the Trees Walk/Run 5K April 27, 1–2:30 p.m.

Join us in celebrating Bob Ross’ love for the outdoors and Arbor Day with a family-friendly fitness event! Traverse two loops of the scenic White River near Minnetrista’s campus of Minnetrista’s scenic campus for this 5K. Registered participants will receive a swag bag featuring a Bob Ross sticker, drink, and snack. No on-site registration available. For more information and to register, visit our website minnetrista.net/events

Garden Fair | May 10 & 11 At Garden Fair, you’ll discover a world of beautiful plants, landscaping tools, and crafts to enhance your summer gardening projects and our community. This two-day community event is the perfect destination for foodies, music lovers, and garden enthusiasts alike. Look for the return of the live music and the beer & wine garden! Check our social media pages fo r the full update as the date draws near.

trustees

Marty Sulek Civic Leader

Tisha Gierhart Shafer Leadership Academy

Judy Valos Civic Leader

Rebecca Gonya Big O Tires Jeannine Harrold (Secretary) Civic Leader Robert La France Ball State University Darlesia Lee Enario Studio Steve Moore (Chair) First Merchants Bank Katie Morgan Perez Orchestra Indiana Tammy Phillips Ball Associates

emeritus

trustees

Stefan S. Anderson Douglas A. Bakken Frank E. Ball* Steve Bedi Jim P. Borgmann Frank A. Bracken* Jack L. Demaree Terri Matchett John J. Pruis* Jack Ronald* Nancy J. Smith

Did you

know?

Our horticulture team plants new gardens for every season? Your gift pays for new bulbs, plants, and seeds. Make your donation at minnetrista. net/donations

*Deceased

thanks to our corporate & foundation supporters corporate sponsors

foundations

foundations Continued Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation

First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors

M. R. Metzger Family Foundation Muncie Altrusa Foundation Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler Foundation Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service The Winchester Foundation

business partners BSU Women’s & Gender Studies Program Estep Burkey Simmons, LLC FlatLand Resources

BSU Office of Community Engagement

The Meeks Mortuary & Crematory

CSKern, Inc

Muncie Public Library

Interlock ECI

Muncie Visitors Bureau

Normandy Flower Shop

League of Women Voters Muncie-Delaware County

Navient

Taylored Systems

Old National Bank

LeafGuard

Peterman Brothers

Marissa Earls, NextHome Elite Real Estate

Whitinger & Company

City of Muncie ARP Funds

Thomas Business Center

The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County

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activites at minnetrista hours

Wednesday–Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sunday Noon–5 p.m.

Monday & Tuesday Closed March 31 Closed

Life on the Edge / Vida al límite

Now through April 14, 2024 | Center Building, Gallery 2 Embark on an extraordinary journey into the realms of extreme environments both on Earth and in the far reaches of space at Life on the Edge / Vida al Límite, a bilingual exhibition. Delve into a hidden microbial world right here on Earth and gain insight into NASA’s recent missions to Mars. Join us on this eye-opening adventure to expand your understanding of life’s possibilities, from our own planet to the farthest reaches of our universe!

Life on the Edge is produced by Sciencenter in partnership with Spacecraft Planetary Image Facility, and the exhibition is made possible by the generous support of NASA under award # NNX16AM22G. The exhibition is owned and toured by Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY

34th Annual Minnetrista Juried Art Show

Now through May 5, 2024 | Center Building, Gallery 1 Experience the vibrant tapestry of Indiana’s artistic talent at the Minnetriata Juried Art Show. Juried by the esteemed Hoosier artist Ann Johnson, the exhibition invites you to immerse yourself in the rich world of fine art, and even take a piece of Indiana’s creative spirit home with you. Do not miss this opportunity to discover and support our state’s exceptional artists.

Storyland

Now through May 12, 2024 | Center Building, Gallery 3 Step into the worlds of your favorite storybooks at this immersive exhibition that will spark the imagination and boost literacy skills. Make a snow angel next to Peter from The Snowy Day or shake the palm trees while you explore the oversized alphabet playground from Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. From Peter Rabbit to everyone’s favorite pup, Spot, there are loads of friends to meet in Storyland! This exhibition is bilingual, with displays in English and Spanish. ©2023 Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites ™ was created by Minnesota Children’s Museum.

It is presented nationally by Target.

Bird Photographer of the Year

May 12, 2024–October 13, 2024 | Center Building, Gallery 2 Join us for a visual tour of avian wonders, as we bring the acclaimed global photography competition, Bird Photographer of the Year, to Muncie.

Immerse yourself in a collection of this year’s most captivating photos, each accompanied by detailed narratives that bring these images to life.

Don’t miss your chance to witness the beauty of birds through the lens of these talented photographers. This celebration of feathered friends from around the world promises to enchant nature enthusiasts of all ages.

April 6 & 20;

9am-noon Center building upcoming events & programs

Horticulture Volunteer Days

April 2, 4, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, & 30

Brunch at Minnetrista April 21

Magic at Minnetrista: Eclipse Weekend April 6, 7, & 8

Tapas & Talk: Everyday Life in Middletown April 17

Muncie Arbor Day Celebration April 27

Ball Stores Gallery Talk with Karen Vincent May 4

Tea & Talk: The Ball Stores Return to Minnetrista with Sebastián Encina May 8

Find more information about these offerings at minnetrista.net/events