gallery exhibitions
A rotating schedule of diverse exhibitions are featured in Minnetrista’s six gallery spaces. These exhibitions are catered to all age groups and interests, emphasizing art, history, and interactive experiences. One affordable ticket price gets you access to everything available at the time of your visit.
Freedom Bus
Center Building Parking Lot
The Freedom Bus is available by request during regular museum hours. Please check in at the Center Building for access.
Now located at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, the Freedom Bus is a former Muncie Indiana Transit System (MITS) bus transformed into a mobile civil rights museum. With a focus on all the brave individuals who spoke up and stood up to demand equality, the bus shares powerful stories of East Central Indiana’s role in the civil rights movement.
Step inside to explore how local voices and struggles connect to the national fight for justice and equality. The Freedom Bus is more than a history lesson—it is a living reminder that the pursuit of civil rights is both our shared past and an ongoing responsibility.
The objectives of the Freedom Bus are:
to connect students to local civil rights history
to share stories of civil rights activism in East Central Indiana counties
to inspire a desire for and a willingness to work toward civil rights for all East Central Indiana residents through democratic processes
to generate dialogue between children, teachers, and parents about civil and human rights in East Central Indiana
The Freedom Bus is a project of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream Team, a 501 (c)(3) organization located in Muncie, IN, in partnership with Ball State University’s Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry, the City of Muncie, and the Muncie Human Rights Commission. Members of the MLK Dream Team are dedicated to Keeping Dr. King’s “dream” alive through community-based programming that promotes civil rights education.
Bob Ross Experience
L.L. Ball Home
Bob Ross inspired generations of viewers with his soft-spoken voice and a pallet knife. Explore the life, philosophy, and art of this iconic American painter and arts educator inside the historic home where The Joy of Painting was filmed. Our immersive exhibition features original paintings and artifacts, inspiring visitors with Bob’s message of fearless creativity all in the building where the magic happened.
Oakhurst Experience
Oakhurst Home
The Oakhurst Experience tells the story of the George and Frances Ball family through the eyes of their daughter, Elisabeth, “Betty”. The home is filled with interactive exhibitions that make it an exciting place to play and to learn. The Experience explores the themes of literacy, home food preservation, nature, and time spent together—all things the Ball family was passionate about. Read a book from the shelves of the expansive library or challenge a friend to a game from the large collection of board and digital tabletop games. Visitors of all ages and interests are invited to come and get lost in a house full of history and wonder.
Ball Stores
Center Building, Heritage Collection Gallery
Step back in time at the Ball Stores exhibition, a captivating journey through the history of this beloved shopping destination. Adorned with the iconic brown plaid, the intimate exhibition boasts a rich collection of objects and artifacts that illustrate the memories shared by those who experienced the magic of the Stores firsthand.
Presented by
In partnership with
Deep Roots: Exploring the Ball Family Tree
Oakhurst Galleries
Step into the captivating narrative of the Ball family and their legacy in this original exhibition exploring Muncie’s most famous family. Through family photographs, the exhibition traces the Ball family’s path from Buffalo, New York to their remarkable impact on the East Central Indiana region that continues to this day.
Visitors can also explore their family’s history with the genealogy resources provided.
Bob Ross Nestled Cabins
Bob Ross Gallery
Step into the tranquil world of Bob Ross with this unique exhibition highlighting a collection of his beloved cabin paintings. Each work on display features cozy cabins—often the only sign of humans in his work—nestled in serene landscapes. This exhibition offers a look at both the familiar and the unexpected in Ross's celebrated artistic legacy.
36th Minnetrista Annual Juried Art Show
Open Now–May 3, 2026
Center Building, Gallery 1
Experience the vibrant tapestry of Indiana's artistic talent at the 36th Minnetrista Annual Juried Art Show. Celebrating creativity across the Hoosier state, this juried exhibition showcases a diverse array of artistic expressions. Juried by Erika Kvam, Director and Head Curator of Purdue University Galleries, the exhibit invites you to immerse yourself in the rich world of fine art. Don't miss this opportunity to discover and support Indiana's exceptional artists.
Generous support provided by Stefan and Joan Anderson
Presented by:
America at 250: Reflections on Community
April 4–October 25, 2026
Center Building, Gallery 2
Minnetrista celebrates America’s 250th birthday through community voices—an exploration of citizenship, belonging, and identity. This interactive gallery invites visitors to consider what it means to be an American and how diverse perspectives come together to form a vibrant community. Through dialogue and storytelling, guests are encouraged to share their own experiences and add their voices to the nation’s ongoing story.
In partnership with VASEY Commercial Facility Solutions.
Wallace & Gromit™: Get Cracking!
Center Building, Gallery 3
Step into the whimsical world of Wallace & Gromit! Designed for children ages 3–9 and their families, this immersive exhibition is full of fun and problem-solving. Interact with clever contraptions, explore colorful environments, and engage with hands-on learning in English and Spanish.
WALLACE & GROMIT characters and logos are trademarks of Aardman Animations Ltd. © 2020. All rights reserved. Exhibit created by Minnesota Children’s Museum.
Supported by:
In partnership with:
eKeeper Systems
America at 250: Celebrating Hoosier Spirit
June 6–January 31, 2027
Center Building, Gallery 1
Continue your journey through history with a deeper dive into Delaware County's role in the American story. Drawing from Minnetrista’s Heritage Collection, this gallery features military uniforms, political ephemera, and other significant artifacts that highlight how local experiences have shaped—and been shaped by—our national journey. Discover how the stories of everyday citizens connect to defining moments in American history, from 1776 to today.
In partnership with VASEY Commercial Facility Solutions.
Welcome to Minnetrista: Our Story Begins Here
Opens on September 19, 2026
Center Building, Heritage Gallery
Discover the rich history behind the iconic Ball jar, the pioneering Ball Company, and the land that would become Minnetrista. This orientation space offers a welcoming introduction to the property’s past as a family home and its evolution into the vibrant museum and gardens you’ll explore today. Designed as a permanent exhibition, it grounds visitors in the stories that shaped Minnetrista’s legacy and inspires curiosity for the journey ahead.
Bob Ross Waves of Wonder
Bob Ross Gallery
From roaring waves on the beach shore to lazy rivers winding through forested landscapes, Waves of Wonder highlights Bob Ross’s unique ability to capture the many moods of water. Featuring a collection of original paintings, this exhibition invites visitors to experience the tranquility and power of nature as seen through Ross’s signature style—where every brushstroke brings a waterway to life.
Open Space: Art About the Land
November 7, 2026–January 3, 2027
Center Building, Gallery 3
Since 2001, Open Space: Art About the Land, has inspired Indiana artists to explore and celebrate the natural world through their creative visions. This annual juried competition showcases new works that capture the spirit of “open space” and its deep connection to the land. Exhibited simultaneously at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens and the Anderson Museum of Art, in partnership with Red-tail Land Conservancy, the event not only highlights artistic innovation but also supports conservation efforts. A portion of proceeds will benefit Red-tail’s vital mission to preserve and restore wildlife habitats and Indiana’s natural beauty.
Presented by:
Imagine in Glass
Center Building, Gallery 2
Where youthful imagination and the magic of glassmaking come together.
In this vibrant exhibition, Minnetrista partners with Ball State University’s Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass to transform children’s artwork into stunning glass sculptures. Selected from submissions by K–12 students, whimsical drawings are brought to life by skilled artists—each piece a unique collaboration between a child’s vision and professional craftsmanship.
The gallery features these imaginative creations alongside original works by Glick faculty and student artists, creating a colorful celebration of creativity, community, and transformation. Imagine in Glass is a joyful reminder that when we nurture imagination, we shape the future—one drawing at a time.
