Ball State University Art Students Turn Children’s Creativity into Art with Imagine in Glass Exhibition

Imagine walking into a gallery and seeing your artwork brought to life in an entirely new form. That's precisely what happened for Emma Grace Wachtman, a 7-year-old Burris Laboratory School student who recently participated in Imagine in Glass.

Imagine in Glass is a collaborative project with Ball State University's School of Art and Minnetrista Museum & Gardens. Thanks to Ball State students at the Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass, Emma's vibrant drawing, once a colorful sketch on paper, was transformed into a striking glass sculpture.

"I didn't know how it would turn out, but it was so fun," Emma said, beaming with excitement.

"It is so much bigger than I thought," she exclaimed as she pointed out her work, The Whiny Watermelon, under the glass case.

Under the direction of Jennifer Halvorson, associate director in the School of Art, and Brent Cole, associate professor of art, Ball State students worked closely with elementary students in the Muncie community to transform imaginative drawings into glass. This collaboration allowed the younger artists to experience the magic of seeing their ideas translated into a different medium while providing Ball State students an opportunity to refine their craft and connect with the community in a meaningful way.

The process began with elementary students submitting their drawings-vivid depictions of animals, fantastical creatures, and whimsical scenes. Once the drawings were selected, the Ball State glass students got to work in their studio at the Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass, meticulously crafting each piece.

For the children, watching their visions come to life was nothing short of magical. They were even invited to the glass studio on a special day in the Fall of 2024 to watch the works in progress. Senior Riley Taylor and graduate student Anna Grabowski helped bring Emma's vision into reality.

Translating the drawings into glass art required technical expertise and creative interpretation. Each piece posed unique challenges, from capturing the essence of a child's artistic style to selecting the perfect colors and textures. The collaboration pushed the art students to innovate and think outside the box, and the Ball State students enjoyed the experience.

"Glass is such a unique medium-there's such a small group of people doing it-but I fell in love with it," said Michelle Pokorny, a graduate student from Bedford, Ind. "It's also a tough medium to work in; you're basically wearing a space suit to face the intense heat. The mix has to be right; the temperature has to be right; the colors have to be right. It's really like a big, expensive science experiment."

Inspired by this experience and by many others in the glass art program, Ms. Pokorny plans to build a studio of her own after her master of fine arts thesis show and graduation this Spring. She will continue to be a glass artist while sharing her passion for teaching in whatever community she lands.

Sharing Creativity
The participating children and their families gathered in Nov. 2024 to celebrate the Imagine in Glass unveiling. The gallery buzzed with excitement as young artists spotted their sculptures displayed under the lights. Parents marveled at the craftsmanship while the children shared stories about their creative process. The event was a celebration of community, creativity, and collaboration.

The final pieces will be showcased at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens until Feb. 9.
Visitors can explore this exhibition, along with others, with the $8 museum entry fee. College students can also enjoy a full year of membership for just $5.

Sebastián Encina, associate director of curation and exhibition at Minnetrista, emphasized the project's significance and impact on the Muncie community.

"Projects like Imagine in Glass align with our goal of making Minnetrista an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone. We strive to ensure that people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds feel a sense of belonging here," he said.

"This exhibition exemplifies that mission, as it invites children from our community to share their creativity and see their ideas come to life in a way that's tangible, collaborative, and inspiring. By removing barriers-whether financial, physical, or emotional-we want Minnetrista to be a space where all individuals feel empowered to engage with art, nature, and heritage."

For the children involved, the project was more than just an art activity-it was a chance to see their creativity validated and celebrated on a large scale, nurturing their imaginations.

Around the gallery during the Imagine in Glass exhibition preview, it was clear that the project had achieved something extraordinary. Children laughed and pointed excitedly at their sculptures, families took photos to commemorate the occasion, and the Ball State students stood proudly by their creations, explaining their processes to curious visitors.

It was a moment that captured the power of art to bring people together and create lasting memories.

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