the stunning world of glass at minnetrista
by Tania Said with Sebastián Encina and Johnny Marquis
Following the 1886 discovery of the Trenton Gas Field, which spreads across portions of East Central Indiana, glass factories seemed to sprout up overnight across Indiana, with businessmen eager to take advantage of the seemingly never-ending supply of natural gas. One such group of visionaries, the Ball brothers, moved from New York to Muncie, where they began producing their famous Ball canning jars and helped solidify Indiana’s industrial identity. To honor the contributions of the Balls and the many other glass manufacturers and artists who shaped this region, one of Minnetrista’s Interpretive Framework themes—which guide the development of our exhibitions and programming—is glass.
With Minnetrista’s focus on glass and East Central Indiana’s unique glass heritage, it’s no surprise that glass art is front and center this spring.
Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass
On view through May 18, Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass is a feast for the eyes and soul. Visitors are raving, calling it stunning, thought-provoking, and impressive. The art is inspired by stories, oral history, and traditional indigenous artwork such as pots, baskets, and textiles. Often, the art shown is an expression of the artist’s cultural heritage or an interpretation of present-day issues affecting contemporary indigenous people and tribes.
The exhibition’s glass works are grouped by theme and include different inspirational categories, such as the History of Glass in Indian Country, Northwest Coast, Pueblo Pottery Recreated in Glass, Textiles Reimagined in Glass, Animals of the Land, Gifts from the Sea, The Sky Above, Ancestor’s Voices, and Bridging Two Worlds. The exhibition includes 29 renowned glass artists from 26 tribes, including collaborations with Māori artists from New Zealand and First Nations Australian artists. Dale Chihuly, who introduced glass blowing to Indigenous American students at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, also has works featured in the exhibition.
Minnetrista’s Associate Director of Curation and Exhibition Sebastián Encina, says Clearly Indigenous, reminds us that indigenous artists are still here producing brilliant works of art in contemporary manners that harken back to established motifs, patterns, and stories. These amazing artists bring us familiar themes and new expressions in captivating glass art.
Dr. Letitia Chambers, originating curator of Clearly Indigenous, collaborated with the artists whose works are represented and wrote the exhibition wall text and object labels. The accompanying book, written by Dr. Chambers, is for sale in The Orchard Shop.
The amazing artwork found in Clearly Indigenous is enhanced through an atrium display of beadwork by Melissa Clifford and Maria Walker, two Muncie artists whose work exemplifies their indigenous heritage and reflects some of the themes of the traveling exhibition.
More Glass at Minnetrista
Building upon the storied history of glass in the region, Lily Rawson, Adult & Studio Programs Manager, leads glass workshops featuring torchwork, fused glass, mosaic glass, and more throughout the year.
“Continuing the manufacturing glass history of the Ball Family, we seek to instruct guests in a variety of fun and approachable glass working techniques. Fantastic examples of fused glass, hot glass, and mosaic glass can be seen in Clearly Indigenous. These are techniques that guests can learn right here at Minnetrista through hands-on instruction of various project designs.”
Minnetrista frequently partners with the Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass at Ball State University, another resource in the area for aspiring glass artists. Lily even teaches a few workshops at the Glick Center’s hot shop every year! Every two years, these two organizations also partner on Imagine in Glass, an exhibition where children’s imaginations are center stage as their drawings come to life in glass pieces made by Ball State students. This exhibition recently closed in February, but look for a new call for youth artists and the exhibition's subsequent opening in 2026!
Our Glick Center partnership also includes annual glass egg and pumpkin sales. Visit us at the Education Center in Oakhurst Gardens on April 5 (rain date April 12) from 9 a.m. to noon for the annual Glass Egg Sale. Guests can peruse and purchase from a selection of eye-catching and unique glass eggs.
In addition, Minnetrista’s Heritage Collection, available to search through our website, will satisfy any curiosities about glass art and history. Not only is Minnetrista a collecting repository, but we are also a research center with knowledgeable staff to assist you. Whether you are looking for a book about glass or trying to discover more about the Ball jars in your own collection, we can help.
The beauty of glass art and the heritage of East Central Indiana’s glass industry combine in compelling ways at Minnetrista, inspiring a wide variety of our programming and exhibitions.
Click the button below to browse our entire collection!
