Ball State students talk with Dustin Clark, Special Projects Director for the City of Muncie, at the Indiana Hardwoods Tour Exhibition at Madjax on October 26, 2022. Photo by Robbie Mehling for Ball State University.
By Elizabeth Moore–On October 26th, Madjax hosted the 2022 Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources Hardwood Industry Tour Regional Exhibition, in partnership with the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association. Hardwood Industry stakeholders and leaders toured Weberding’s Carving Shop in Batesville, IN, Wood-Mizer in Batesville, IN, Frank Miller Lumber in Union City, IN, and ended their tour at Madjax for an exhibition of unique and functional Indiana Hardwood projects, samples, and images, curated by 4th-year Ball State architecture students. The collection featured work of regional hardwood artisans, with items ranging from vases, sculptures, serving trays, and boxes; regional fabricators’ projects such as pavilions, outdoor seating, architectural objects, and amphitheaters; Ball State Architecture student finalist projects in the IHLA Hardwood Building Competitions (2020-22); and iMADE projects, including the work of a 4th-year immersive learning architecture studio: hardwood coasters, a showcase table, and architectural “follies” located in the courtyard of Madjax.
Participants in the tour include Bruce Kettler, Director of Indiana State Department of Agriculture; Dan Bortner, Director of Indiana DNR; Chris Smith, Deputy Director of Indiana DNR; John Seifert, Director of Indiana DNR, Division of Forestry; Ray Moistner, Executive Director of Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association; David Bausman, Chief Legal Counsel of Indiana DNR; Andrew Carty, Director of Indiana DNR, Economic Development Division; Katie Nelson, Director of Legislative Affairs of Indiana State Department of Agriculture; Regan Herr, Director of Communications of Indiana State Department of Agriculture; and Chris Gonso, Hardwoods Program Manager of Indiana State Department of Agriculture. This tour aimed to connect state and industry partners to celebrate and discuss new opportunities for the production, uses, and management of Indiana Hardwood.
After refreshments and a few words from Ball State Architecture professor Kevin Klinger, attendees toured the exhibit and the fabrication shop at Madjax to learn about how Ball State architecture students have been designing-through-production with Indiana Hardwood over several semesters at Madjax. Hosting the finale of the Industry Tour at Madjax gave the spotlight to the local artisans who work at Madjax, Ball State and Muncie Community design partners, and other great industry partners so others may appreciate and support how Madjax is a catalyst for making in Muncie.
View the exhibition at First Thursday on November 3rd from 5–8 pm, or Monday–Saturday from 9 am–4 pm through November 15th.
Photos by Robbie Mehling for Ball State University.
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