By Andy Klotz—
MUNCIE, IN – Mitchell Schuring has never been to the Muncie Fieldhouse. Until eight months ago, he had no idea the Muncie Central Bearcats have won more boys basketball state championships than any other school in Indiana. But that didn’t keep him from creating an impressive artistic tribute to Bearcat basketball in the form of a painted, 6-foot fiberglass basketball.
The artwork, entitled “Muncie Central’s Unmatched Record of Success,” is one of 24 pieces created for “Hoosier Historia,” the art project created by the NBA All-Star game host committee that paired two dozen Hoosier artists with some of the most iconic aspects of Indiana high school basketball history.
The basketballs were displayed around downtown Indianapolis during the NBA’s All-Star weekend in February, then they were offered, at no charge, to the schools depicted in the works. Muncie Central officials jumped at the opportunity and moved the ball into the east entry area of the fieldhouse just last week.
“What a great new way to welcome people to the fieldhouse,” Muncie Central Principal Christopher Walker said. “Generations of Bearcat fans have fond memories of watching those championship teams, and this piece of art helps celebrate that tremendous legacy.”
Shuring agrees. He said the fieldhouse is the perfect home for the ball – the only place that makes sense.
“I hope this piece resonates with IHSAA basketball fans, Muncie Central students, staff and alumni,” Shuring said. “I hope it helps further cement Muncie Central’s impressive history and inspires future generations to build on their legacy of success.”
The Indy Arts Council, which managed the project, assigned the Muncie Central theme to Schuring who then researched old newspaper images to develop the five different scenes he used on the ball. He started by sketching them on a 3-D model of a basketball on his iPad, then worked on the actual basketball for eight to 12 hours a day for about a week.
Schuring, who received a $6,000 commission for his efforts, has been spray painting large murals for about 10 years, but never before on a round object like a basketball. You can find more of his work at suredidit.com.
“I’m really happy with how this piece turned out,” he said. “It was an absolute honor to be chosen for this opportunity, and I’m happy that it has been so well received.”
The public can see the artwork during regularly scheduled Fieldhouse events. The next public event scheduled is “Celebrate Excellence,” a program highlighting the work of MCS’ High Ability students, on Thursday, May 16, 5-7 p.m.
About Muncie Community Schools
Serving the local community since 1855, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) educates more than 5,000 students at six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school while also managing several other educational facilities. Through its unique partnership with Ball State University, MCS strives to maximize each student’s potential so he or she can be a positive, productive member of society. Find out more about MCS or Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski at muncieschools.org. More photos are available on the school Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MCS1Official/
