By Michelle Kinsey—
MUNCIE, IN —Dave’s Alley is getting a makeover.
Work began last week on a sculptural public art piece that will hang permanently in the downtown Muncie alleyway. This installation was brought to light – literally – by MuncieArts and the City of Muncie. As the designated “Arts Partner” for the city of Muncie, MuncieArts provides innovative arts programming, creative support for the community, and stewardship of public art.
“Arts are so important for a healthy community,” commented Mayor Dan Ridenour. “Murals, art installations, and public performances help foster pride in our community, and get young people interested in the arts, which has lifelong benefits.”
Erin Williams, Executive Director of MuncieArts, said this installation “celebrates Muncie’s manufacturing history, and adds a much-needed lighting component to Dave’s Alley. The piece was made specifically to honor the third shift workers who helped build this community, so I hope it will remind residents and visitors about the importance of Muncie’s industrial heritage that ‘lit the way’ for the future.”
She added that it also addresses the issue of what happens to public artwork when it is decommissioned. “Sometimes artwork like this is just recycled or thrown away when it is no longer on exhibition – which is a huge loss. This piece started out in Columbus, Indiana, as part of the 2021 Exhibit Columbus Exhibition New Middles, in a very different orientation along a public street. Working with the artists and Landmark Columbus, we found a way to bring a part of this piece to Muncie, giving it a new life. The rest of the piece will continue to be displayed in Columbus, connecting and celebrating the two cities’ industrial and manufacturing history.”
Night photo of Dave’s Alley. Photo provided
“Midnight Palace” was designed in 2021 by the Chicago-based architecture and design practice Future Firm for Exhibit Columbus Architecture Biennial in Columbus, Indiana.
Future Firm stated: “Midnight Palace is designed for occupants of the midnight city. It asks: What is a public space dedicated to those who live in the nocturnal hours? …Among this late-night group are second and third shift workers, restaurant workers, truckers, parents of newborns, and residents with families overseas. A latticework of electrical conduit, Midnight Palace features a ‘wall of light’ inspired by the streetscape. …”
In 2022, MuncieArts agreed to take ownership of, and reinstall, 60 feet of the 100-foot lightwork at a new site in Muncie, while Landmark Columbus (owners of the sculpture) reinstalled the remaining sections at other sites in Columbus.
Williams noted that Dave’s Alley quickly emerged as the perfect location for reinstallation in Muncie – it was centrally located in a busy downtown area that was surrounded by bars and restaurants visited by late-night occupants; it was utilized as a pathway by Ivy Tech Community College students, many of whom are nontraditional students with late-night careers, and, of course, the alley was named after a famous late-night TV host (David Letterman). In fact, the installation – reimagined by MuncieArts and Future Firm – is a nod to a late-night show or Vaudeville curtain.
“MuncieArts is thrilled to work with the City of Muncie, Landmark Columbus, and Future Firm to bring this beautiful work to our city as its permanent home,” she said.
The piece has been mounted to both alley walls. MuncieArts will host a community celebration to “turn on” the lights when the installation is finished later this summer.
This project is funded by the American Rescue Plan through a grant for public art by the City of Muncie, and by an Arts Activation Project Grant from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation.
For more about the sculpture and MuncieArts, go to www.munciearts.org.
