Articles by Mike Rhodes

ArtsWalk Highlights for the October 2nd Event in Downtown Muncie

By Vicki Veach, Executive Director, Downtown Development Partnership— MUNCIE, IN—The ArtsWalk Lineup on Thursday, October 2, from 5–8 p.m. Art, music, food, history, and community will come together in the heart of DWNTWN, transforming familiar spaces into a stage for local creativity. Highlights include: Galleries & Exhibits – Gordy Fine Art & Framing Company, Cornerstone Center for the Arts, Art at the Murray, Carrie Wright Silk Gifts, ECAP Gallery, Made in Muncie, MuncieArts, and more. DWNTWN IDOL Finale – 6…

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September 29 Groundbreaking Celebration for Habitat for Humanity ‘Gateway Gathering Space’

By Tania Said and Amber Greene— MUNCIE, IN — Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts) is proud to invite the public to a groundbreaking celebration for the Habitat for Humanity Gateway Gathering Space, a new public artwork designed by artist Greg Mueller. This sculptural installation – part of a $500,000 public art initiative funded by the City of Muncie through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) – will create a welcoming and reflective space for neighbors and families at the…


Ball State’s Board of Trustees Highlight Fall 2025 Enrollment Gains, Muncie Community Schools Progress

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN — The Ball State University Board of Trustees on Friday received updates on Fall 2025 enrollment and the continued progress of its historic partnership with Muncie Community Schools (MCS). Paula Luff, Ball State’s vice president for enrollment planning and management, reported that Ball State welcomed 3,733 new freshmen this Fall. This is the third consecutive year in which the University has enrolled a freshman class larger than its pre-pandemic average. The incoming class…


Ribbon-Cutting and Campus Art Tours Celebrate Installation of ‘Designed by the Public’ at Ivy Tech

By Lesley 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….


2025 Mayor’s Arts Awards Recipients Announced

By Tania Said, Executive Director, MuncieArts— MUNCIE, IN — “We’re going to make beautiful music together tonight, Muncie!” said Laura Williams, one of the DJs, or emcees, of the 2025 Mayor’s Arts Awards. And with that, the Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts), in conjunction with the City of Muncie, rocked the 2025 Mayor’s Arts Awards on Friday, Sept. 19, at Muncie Civic Theatre. This ceremony recognized 10 years of celebrating arts and culture in Muncie and, as part of…


BSU Celebrates Expanded Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Honors House With Sept. 26 Ribbon-Cutting

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN — Ball State University will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly expanded Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Honors House at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at 1707 W. Riverside Ave. in Muncie. A reception and self-guided tours will follow the ceremony, which is free and open to the public. The expansion and renovation enhance the home of the Honors College with new and updated learning and gathering spaces. The project adds 1,750 square…


‘Munich to Muncie Oktoberfest’ Benefiting ecoREHAB Is Back on September 27

By Erin K. Lovall— MUNCIE, IN—Munich to Muncie Oktoberfest, benefiting ecoREHAB, returns for its fourth year on September 27, 2025 at The Yard, 723 S. Council St., Muncie. EcoREHAB of Muncie is a non-profit that emerged in 2009 from a Ball State University architecture studio designed to transform abandoned houses into sustainable homes. In ecoREHAB’s years of service, it has worked alongside students and community partners to rehabilitate many deteriorating structures into inviting, affordable homes for our community. This event…


Business Showcase Week 2025 Set to Transform Muncie’s Entrepreneurial Landscape

By Ted A. Baker, CEO, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—The entrepreneurial energy of East Central Indiana is ready to take center stage as the Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc. presents the 4th Annual Business Showcase Week, set to run through the first three weeks of November 2025, with the main events scheduled for November 17–22. In collaboration with Global Entrepreneurship Week, this year’s Showcase is more expansive and impactful than ever. With 80+ FREE events, it’s designed to inspire, educate,…


Muncie Central Teacher Looks to Inspire Students, Public Through His Lewis and Clark Experience

By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, IN. –Chris Smith has had a passionate interest in Lewis and Clark since he was a young boy. He used to read about their early 1800s expedition across the western United States and wonder what it was like to cross rugged terrain using primitive transportation with limited supplies. The veteran Muncie Central teacher no longer wonders. He knows firsthand. Thanks to a Teacher Creativity grant from Lilly Endowment, Smith spent part of his summer retracing the…


Grace Walker—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. By Stacey A. Shannon— MUNCIE, IN—Athletics are a huge part of life for Muncie Central High School senior Grace Walker. She’s been on a variety of school teams, including volleyball, basketball, cheerleading and tennis. And when she’s not at school, Walker works weekends at the YMCA. In fact, when…