a note from brian
Dear Minnetrista Members,
I hope you enjoy this new issue of Columns, featuring some of the wonderful sights and activities on our campus including the iconic Catalyst sculpture and a preview of our upcoming summer camps. This issue also features a celebration of the outdoors—including the Arbor Day and Garden Fair events at Minnetrista, how our expert Horticulture staff cares for our trees, and tips you can use to care for yours. Spring at Minnetrista is a magical time. After a long and cold winter, I hope you will visit us to enjoy the sun and the beauty of our campus.
I also write to you with an invitation—or, technically, two invitations. I have been fortunate enough to be asked to present to groups around our region about the history of Minnetrista, featuring the contributions of the Ball family, our role in the community, and the exhibitions and programs we offer, including how Bob Ross came to be a part of the Minnetrista and Muncie story. I appreciate being able to share these stories with our community, who may know some of this history but have not yet heard many of the fascinating details.
I invite you to contact me if your business, organization, neighborhood association, or group of friends would like me to speak at one of your meetings. The presentation is absolutely free (though I always gratefully accept a cup of coffee), and it is a unique opportunity to learn about some of our local history.
I also invite you to contact me if you would like a free, personal guided tour of our campus, including our museum buildings, historic homes, and grounds. The tour can be for individuals, families, and friends, and you are welcome to include people who are not Minnetrista members. We are your neighbors, and we want you to feel welcome on our campus because everyone belongs at Minnetrista.
If you are interested in a free presentation or tour of our campus, please contact me at (765) 287-3501 or bstatz@minnetrista.net. I would love to hear from you!
Brian A. Statz
President & CEO
Brian A. Statz
President & CEO
2025 columns issue 1 credits
meet the staff
Megan Wright is the new Graphic Designer at Minnetrista. She earned her BFA in Graphic Design from Indiana University and has worked with organizations such as Monroe County Public Library, Steak ’n Shake, and Indiana University Health. As a graduate of The Indiana Academy at Ball State, Megan recently returned to the area and is pursuing her MS in Human-Computer Interaction from IU Indianapolis. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé and their two cats, playing video games, watching anime, and working on her half-finished art projects!
Katadyn Connerley, Director of Business Development, brings over a decade of entrepreneurial experience as a business owner and specialist in operational optimization, with a focus on driving revenue growth and fostering meaningful collaborations. Her connection to Minnetrista spans more than twenty years, from her days as a Ball State student finding solace in the gardens to now sharing the campus with her son, making her transition to the organization a natural fit. When not at work, Katadyn enjoys traveling and exploring new places with her son, tending to her garden, hiking, and finding peace through yoga practice.
columns
Editor Jennifer Parks-Strack
Designer Megan Wright
Contributing Writers
Megan Barry, Digital Communications Coordinator
James Edwards, Director of Horticulture
Sebastian Encina, Associate Director of Curation & Exhibition
Johnny Marquis, Associate Director of Experience & Education
Jennifer Parks-Strack, Director of Development
Tania Said, former VP of Exhibitions & Programs
Brian A. Statz, President & CEO
Photographers
Megan Barry
Chris Carroll
Brea Cunningham
Megan Wright
ISSN: 2151-6176
Columns magazine is published three times each year and distributed by Minnetrista without charge to its members. Comments or questions should be directed to Jennifer Parks-Strack at 765.287.3504, or jparks-strack@minnetrista.net.
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Muncie, IN 47303–2925
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Thank you to our columns sponsor.
