By Leslie DeVoss—
MUNCIE, IN— Ivy Tech Community College Muncie will celebrate the installation of Designed by the Public, a striking new sculptural installation by internationally acclaimed architect Tatiana Bilbao ESTUDIO, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, October 2, at 2:00 p.m. The work, on loan from the Muncie Arts and Culture Council, is located on the east side plaza facing High Street and is part of an extended partnership involving Ivy Tech, MuncieArts, Exhibit Columbus, Ball State Architecture, and MadJax.
“We are always excited and encouraged when community partners see the value of adding public art to the civic landscape to bring people together. Every partner contributed to making this project greater than the sum of its parts so that Muncie residents and visitors can engage with art and activate the Ivy Tech’s plaza space in fun and meaningful ways that build connections between us,” added Tania Said of the Muncie Arts and Culture Council.
Originally created for Exhibit Columbus, a program of the Landmark Columbus Foundation that showcases world-renowned artists and architects, Designed by the Public invites the community to explore the dynamic intersection of art, architecture, and design.
In conjunction with the installation, seven Ball State Architecture students—in the “iMADE” Seminar under the guidance of Professor Kevin Klinger, engaged in an immersive, hands-on learning experience. These students worked outside the traditional studio environment, collaborating with real-world partners to understand the broader impact of their design thinking. Through full-scale design-through-production, utilizing regionally sourced and fabricated materials, the iMADE students made meaningful contributions to the community while developing professionalism and transformative design skills.
Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to self-tour all three Ivy Tech Muncie buildings—the John & Janice Fisher Building, the George & Frances Ball Building, and the Advanced Technology Center on Cowan Road to view additional artwork across the campus. Visitors can pick up a QR code to access a full Ivy Tech Muncie Artwork Catalog to guide their exploration.
The celebration continues into the evening during the DWNTWN Arts Walk from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., where the John & Janice Fisher Building (345 South High Street) will remain open for public viewing of the artwork.
“Ivy Tech is proud to not only support education but also to bring world-class art and design into the heart of our community,” said Jeffrey D. Scott, Chancellor. “Designed by the Public embodies the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and innovation that Ivy Tech values. Partnering with Ball State students and community organizations allows us to highlight the transformative power of design education and its real impact on our community.”
Event Details:
📍 Ribbon Cutting: East side plaza, John & Janice Fisher Building (345 S. High Street, Muncie)
📅 Thursday, October 2
⏰ 2:00 p.m. Ribbon Cutting & Self-Tours | 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. DWNTWN Arts Walk
This event is free and open to the public.
For more information on Ivy Tech Muncie, visit www.ivytech.edu/muncie.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor’s degree.
About the Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts)
The mission of MuncieArts is to champion arts and culture experiences, public art, and a thriving community of artists and allies in Muncie, Indiana. MuncieArts is the official arts partner of the City of Muncie and was formed in 2009. We impact economic growth, sustainable communities, and health and wellness through arts and culture.
