Appeal to the Great Spirit

by webmaster | Feb 12, 2021 | Public Art

Appeal to the Great Spirit

The statue, owned by the City of Muncie, is a memorial to Edmund B. Ball. After his death in 1925, his family searched for a suitable memorial to him. They settled on a replica of the “Appeal to the Great Spirit” cast in bronze, and erected on a site just east of the Ball family homes on the north side of the White River in Muncie. The original sculpture was created by Cyrus Dallin in 1909 and is a Plains Indian. The statue and surrounding park were dedicated in 1929. The statue is located in a park at the corner of Walnut St. and Granville Ave.

The statue does not depict Chief Munsee. There is no indication that there ever was a chief named Munsee. In addition, the statue depicts a Plains Indian. The Indians who lived in or near Muncie were Woodland Indians.

Frog Baby

by webmaster | Feb 10, 2021 | Public Art

Frog Baby

The bronze sculpture of the chubby-cheeked little girl dangling two frogs by their feet and smiling up at the sky has become legendary at Ball State over the years as a good luck charm and a popular meeting place.

She was cast by the late American sculptor Edith Barretto Stevens Parson (American 1878-1956) between 1917-37. Muncie industrialist Frank C. Ball donated the sculpture, and she resided in the Ball State University Museum of Art for many years.

In the past, campus legend had it that if you rub her nose, you would have good luck on your next exam. However, with so many students caressing her nose, she became damaged and was packed away.

In 1993, Frog Baby was restored and placed in the middle of a fountain built on the north side of Bracken Library. The fountain is dedicated to the late Alexander M. Bracken, son-in-law of Frank Ball and a key player in Ball State’s rapid growth after World War II.

No one rubs her nose anymore, but students sometimes bundle her up with scarves and hats in the winter.

Bronze Water Baby

by webmaster | Oct 6, 2014 | Public Art

Bronze Water Baby

This sculpture, “Bronze Baby,” was originally on the site of the Frank C. Ball home. Margaret Ball Petty, daughter of Frank C. Ball, later owned the statue. It was created by Brenda Putnam in 1916. The sculpture is currently displayed, during warm weather, in the pool of the Children’s Garden at Minnetrista.

Awakening Potential

by webmaster | Oct 6, 2014 | Public Art

Awakening Potential

This 8 1/2 foot tall bronze sculpture was created in 2006 by Delaware County artist Kenneth G. Ryden. the sculpture features a young girl and boy standing on a stump with tree sprouts emerging from their hands. The sprouting tree symbolizes the awakening potential that lies within a young person. Kenneth G. Ryden is a professional sculptor who has created many public monuments for institutions and municipalities as well as custom bronzes for private collections. He maintains a studio at his Yorktown residence.

For visitors to the Youth Opportunity Center west of Muncie, there is a plaza in the roundabout near the entrance. Within the plaza is the sculpture “Awakening Potential”

Will O’ The Wisp

by webmaster | Apr 30, 2014 | Public Art

Will O’ the Wisps

The fountain is located at the end of the Colonnade Garden at Oakhurst. The Colonnade Garden was constructed in 1993 and 1994. This garden also includes the Colonnade Gates and the Colonnade Columns. The sculpture shows a girl standing on the back of a turtle. The back of the shell is signed, “Edward Borse, Sc, Gorham Co., GFC Foundries.” The statue is owned by Ball State University.