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.
Oakhurst Experience
Always Available
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.
Bob Ross Experience
Always Available
LL 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 exhibit features original paintings and artifacts, inspiring visitors with Bob’s message of fearless creativity all in the building where the magic happened.
Creatures of Habit
Now through April 28, 2024
Oakhurst Gallery, Oakhurst Home
Embark on a journey through the mesmerizing world of nature with our newest exhibition, Creatures of Habit. Featuring original works created by 30 Hoosier artists, this exhibition brings the wild and wonderful aspects of our local habitats into focus. Art has long played an important role in how humans understand and appreciate the natural world. Don’t miss this chance to be immersed in and inspired by the wonders of our planet!
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.
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 Minnetrista's 34th Annual Juried Art Show. Celebrating creativity across the Hoosier state, this juried exhibition showcases a diverse array of artistic expressions. Juried by the esteemed Hoosier artist Ann Johnson, the exhibit invites you to immerse yourself in the rich world of fine art, and perhaps even take a piece of Indiana's creative spirit home with you. Don't miss this opportunity to discover and support our state's exceptional artists.
Ball Stores
Opens April 27, 2024
Center Building, Heritage 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. With a planned refresh for the winter holiday season, you will have a great excuse to visit more than once—just as with the Stores themselves! Join us for this nostalgic celebration.
Presented by Defur Voran and supported by eKeeper Systems.
Join us for these upcoming Gallery Talks!
Bird Photographer of the Year
May 11 – 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.
Young at Art: A Selection of Caldecott Book Illustrations
May 18 – August 18, 2024
Oakhurst Gallery
Through picture books, readers embark on visual journeys that engage all of the senses and encourage curious, imaginative, and thoughtful interactions with the world around them. The exhibition Young at Art: A Selection of Caldecott Book Illustrations includes original illustrations from twenty-eight award-winning artists that are widely recognized not only as classics in children’s literature but also as the source of countless treasured memories for the young and young at heart. Visitors will enjoy original works from beloved artists like Chris Van Allsburg (Jumanji) and Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are).
Young at Art: A Selection of Caldecott Book Illustrations is a program of ExhibitsUSA, a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Imagination Playground
May 29–September 1, 2024
Center Building, Hackley Gallery
Imaginations come alive in the Imagination Playground at Minnetrista! You and your family can immerse yourselves in a realm of endless possibilities, where building, experimenting , and playing are all part of the adventure. With colossal foam building blocks as your tools, let your creativity soar as you design, build, and invent. What will you create?
Hoosier Salon: A Century of Artistry from the Heritage Collection
June 15–September 8, 2024
Center Building, Gallery 1
Artists from East Central Indiana have played an integral role in the Hoosier Art Salon’s history, elevating the state’s reputation for fine art through their exceptional contributions. In celebration of the Salon’s centennial, Minnetrista has scoured our Heritage Collection, selecting artwork from past and present Salon members hailing from our region for a one-of-a-kind original exhibition. On display for the first time together, visitors will explore these esteemed Salon members and better understand the significant contributions that Hoosier artists have made to the state’s artistic legacy. Enjoy the dedicated artists’ space for encouraging the next generation of Hoosier artists!
Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest
June 29 – September 22, 2024
Center Building, Gallery 3
Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest brings into focus one of the most vital ecosystems on the planet. This timely exhibition explores the relationship between people and nature while taking audiences on a learning journey. Through exquisite photography and videography, first-person stories, authentic objects, and interactive experiences, audiences discover the heart of this forest through the natural and cultural history of a place and its people. This exhibition is bilingual, with displays in both English and Spanish.
Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest / Historias del bosque boreal was organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. It is made possible by the National Audubon Society with additional support from The Anders Foundation, Charlie and Nancy Hogan, and Anne C. Madison.
Crisis Canning
October 12, 2024 – January 26, 2025
Center Building, Gallery 1
Just as the cold weather goes hand-in-hand with crockpots, canning jars frequently become countertop staples in times of uncertainty. Pulling from Minnetrista’s collection, this original exhibition will explore the history of crisis canning in America. The exhibition will explore how wars, pandemics, and economic struggles have transformed canning from an ordinary mode of cooking into a form of emergency planning. Through this exhibition, we will come to know the everyday heroes who fought for their families through the act of food preservation and how the world has shaped and reshaped their motivations over time.
